SFGate

sandkshouse Don't think I'd paint the fireplace the same color as the trim. Maybe paint it just a shade or two darker than the walls and then paint the mantel the same color as the trim. After that, painting the doors black would look good (make sure you use a high heat paint).

luke2431 thank you for that!~!!!!!!!!!!

Interiors International, Inc. I would not paint the stone. You could add lighter grout but painting the stone you will live to regret.

Dar Eckert I like your stone and think painting it would destroy it. Instead get a larger mantle either chunky wood beam or paint it the color of the grout. Then get a black fireplace surround. Stainless steel accents would also look nice against the stone. As far as taupe for the room maybe select a color from the stone, something warm.

Moonstone Redwood I would take a log the height of the wall and split the log in half and vertically frame the stone.
coat the log halves with a Minwax clear satin polyurethane. I would replace the mantle with a six inch thick slice of a log with a live front edge. The log halves and mantle should be a darker rich color as to contrast the stone. Make the faleplace wall the focal point of the room and design off of the focal point.

Jayme Hobbs Agree with not painting the stone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

luke2431 egads! @ Inter International-- ok what color grout? @ Dar what is a fireplace surround..@ Moon--such a lofty idea but wish i could see it before i try it? I love all of you for helping me and i love this site

Dar Eckert Sorry, the brass fireplace doors would look great painted black if you can get paint that holds up to heat.

putter2 I agree about NOT painting the stone. Wider, deeper beam mantel, deeper moulding at ceiling, and I like the idea of painting the screen black, as someone mentioned.

luke2431 @ putter2 what do you mean deeper moulding at ceiling?

luke2431 the grout looks like wide magic marker that didnt go to the edge what color grout would anyone suggest

cathyjoco There are a couple of things you can do. You can cover over part of the stone with drywall and then put your mantle on - that will help the transition. Or you can paint the grout and stone - there are special paints made to do that. I believe they are more translucent than paints for walls. This would help your grout color. It may take a couple of attempts to get the grout color toned down. I attached photos of fireplaces that I thought were really nice.

Kevin Boudreau Need a bigger TV and mount it on the wall.

luke2431 @cathyjoco I love the dry wall idea over a portion I think that is what is bothering me

luke2431 @Kevin silly man hahaahahahahaha..its all just temporary while we are workin on the interior..thank you for making me smile

cathyjoco I had slump stone for my fireplace - and it went all the way to the ceiling. I covered everything above 4' with drywall. I had my mantle made and it covered the transition. I left the remaining slump stone, but I antiqued it by hitting it chains, chisels and hammers. Then I painted it with faux using 4 different colors of green- taupe. I am happy with it!

luke2431 perhaps i should have prefaced my questions with more info ..i really don't want to go "Gunsmoke" with this fireplace-- i want to create traditional theme in the room..does that help at all? but i am loving your comments

luke2431 @cath is slumpstone the correct description for this stone? is this a pic of your fireplace?

cathyjoco That is a picture of my fireplace. People have referred to it as slump stone.

cathyjoco When I purchased my home, it was painted white and went all the way to the ceiling. It had been painted several times. I couldn't figure out what to do. As I started to look at pictures of what I liked, I realized that I preferred the drywall above the fireplace. So I framed the area and hung drywall on it. I thought it looked great. I never knew what to do with the bottom portion and then started looking into painting it. There are several websites for painting stone and brick. So I decided to do that. After I added the mantle (I don't have a photo) I was really happy with it.

cathyjoco here is a photo of it when I finished. Sorry that it is blurry.