SFGate

Ironwood Builders What is your budget for the project? Trying to work with what is there will be very constraining. Being open to a complete overhaul opens the creative doors....but comes at a price. It looks like, from the mirror and light fixture, you style is more Victorian/Traditional? Some information there would also help. Thanks!

itaangela Thanks for the reply. Budget is limited. All fittings left by parents-in-law. I quite like the mirrror but the chandelier is grotesqueI I had been thinking of shelving the area to the right with three or four shelves, (some logs at the bottom) and perhaps painting the shelving and the mahogany shabby chic/slightly distressed. Advice really welcome!

Ironwood Builders I hope some of the designers weigh in on this...I try to stick to the nuts and bolts issues... Frankly, I was hoping you had set aside some funds to deal with this. I've been around architects and designers enough to know something about good design....that fireplace and the benches are not it. I don't see a way to make them less of what they are with cosmetics...Sorry! Any chance you are really good with a sledge hammer?

janishill The mirror is lovely....just not with the fireplace. The two styles are in competition. Remove it, paint the walls a very soft gray like this: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/marilynsdress
Paint the ceiling white in a semi gloss finish and the wood trim black.

Use olive or turquoise as an accent color.

And may I ask what country are you in?

itaangela Thanks a lot for the advice. Colours I wouldn't really have considered....! I live in a really remote area of Ireland. Whay about the area to the right? Shelving?What about above the mantelpiece?Any other ideas?
PS-Thank you also Ironwood builders. I read that you have a bad dust mite allergy in your posts.My 14 year old daughter has it also. Have you tried NeilMed? It's good. Check it out . Good luck!

soberg The whole installation of fireplace and curvy benches is something one will either love or hate. The benches aren't the worst-looking things I've seen, but they're a bit cluttered looking and greatly complicate arranging a cozy conversational grouping (not to mention laying down a rug).

If it were mine, I would remove all the benches, remove the raised portions of the fireplace wall to narrow its width, and then box the fireplace in with new masonry for a simple, clean look. Obviously the floor will need patching. This is not a small DIY, but I feel it is a limited scope job that you could do with help from a mason and carpenter.

mpoulsom I LOVE this fireplace! So unique. I would probably paint the bottom part. Add a large piece of artwork in the center area of the mantel that really fits tightly into that space. You could do 2 long skinny mirrors on each side of the artwork...or 2 large tall urns. I would probably put small wood logs in each of the cubbies on either side of the actual fireplace, Add some awesome cushions to sit on top of the mahogany that extends forward on both sides. I would probably use the mirror somewhere else in the house.

By Design EK I like the uniqueness of the fireplace and surround. Being American we do not see this type of style often and I would not get rid of it. Due to not being able to invest much in it I would paint the wood white, sand out the chips first. You could do a shabby chic but a nice clean finish would make it more modern and I think also make it feel lighter. I do feel the actual center fireplace seems a bit squatty and short in scale with the curved tiers so I would build up the sides with tile, wood trim painted white or just tall narrow art or sculpture. And a tall rectangular mirror in the center, or art. On the right side you could do bookshelves, but I would keep them hanging shelves and put lots of cushions underneath as someonw suggested above. This will make it look cozy and hopefully be a nice reading nook. I would change the light fixture, paint it if you can't change it yet, and put a roman shade instead of the curtains, mount the shade at ceiling height and have it extend wider than the window and this will make it seem taller. If at some point in the future you can change it more I would consider taking out the middle tier in front of the fireplace and leave the side teirs. This will open it up and give it a cleaner look. You will need to consult with someone to make sure you could fill in the spots that will be exposed with existing tile or tile to match. Good Luck!

espi2 I love your fireplace. The curves add a touch of softness to the beautiful but colder marble ambiance - lovely contrast. Agree that the mirror and hanging light do not belong in this space.
For a really budget idea - I would remove mirror, light, curtain on the left side. Start with a wall color change and nothing else. Soft greys and beiges (driftwood, northern coastal palette colors) - accessorize the mantel with wood pieces that tie together the ceiling, and wood of the curved sitting areas.
Look on this website and search for Northwest Contemporary design ideas.
I like the previous suggestion of turquoise accents. I would add sea colored greens and blues - and a little orange too! After this quick change - then reassess what else you would like to do (versus big changes all at once and from the start).

decoenthusiaste It certainly takes up a lot of floor space, doesn't it? If all the platforms could be removed, you'd gain quite a bit of space. Budget is the killer on this project. Just start saving your money to do what you really want with it. Meanwhile, espi2 has a simple solution.

befff Another love. Change the light and mirror.

queenburgess Square off the curves at the base for a more useful "staged" area where you could throw some pillows and use it as a relaxing area in front of the fire place. Next minimize the mantal and then clad the front of the fire place with some oxidized metal. (easy enough to find a thin sheet and use epoxy to glue it to the fire place, just make sure it's a glue that can tolerate high heat). Build a book shelf to the right that is the same width as the window on the left, this will help balance the area. Paint it an antique white and distress it with some chains. If you like the mirror keep that but paint the upper wall a warm white (not as dark as the antiqued white of the bookshelf). If you don't like the light fixture lose it and replace it with something more subtle like an off-white sheer fabric covered light.Just an idea.

JUL313 Gallery Wow what a neat fireplace. I would not change a thing. I would refinish the trim. Removing the mirror would really update the mantle. A nice painting popped up on the mantle would really change the dynamic of the room. I have recently completed some that would look great. All are original acrylic paintings on heavy gallery wrapped canvas. Please contact me at julie@jul313.com for further info or check out my website at www.jul313.com.