Ugly fireplace - what to do??
I want to reface our "rock climbing" fireplace. Ever since we bought the house, I've wanted to reface it, but there were other projects that needed to be attended to first. So, now that I got the go ahead, I'm not quite sure what I want to do with it. It's so massive. Should we choose something more contemporary like a limestone or travertine facade, or go more classic by adding sheetrock and a travertine mantle? Ill probably update the drapery afterwards because it dates the room and us (we're a young couple who just moved to the suburbs!). The living room and dining room are one big space. Decor tips greatly appreciated as well! Thank you!!
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STonehedge Exteriors
Fireplace
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Also, if you are going to keep those white plates on the wall in the dining room, please at least group them instead of spreading them out.
Go pin a lot of rooms with fireplaces and look at them for all the different details I reference here before you make some decisions - this is an amazingly gorgeous fireplace scaled well to the size of the room using REAL stone in proportion.
The bones of your room (ceiling angles, window profiles) are somewhat contemporary, and the stone now makes it work a with your transitional decor without your room being cold or stuffy, which is what your drywall / travertine mantle/surround option will shift it to. The lines of your furniture and the lines in your windows are not that traditional and the juxtaposition makes them pop where a travertine stone (mcmansion builders hearth) won't. Facing this with stone tiles in a contemporary pattern will work for the bones of the room, but will only make it less expensive looking and be more trendy/ out of date sooner. If you LOVED a really contemporary look, this would work - but I see your chandeliers and dining chairs and they are definitely more traditional / transitional. You can get some large horizontal stone tiles and have a stacked grid with grout lines if you decide to go that modern, but at this height, and scale, it will feel colder, since most of the stone tiles you would choose from don't have this warmth. I'm not sure you would love that either.
Real stone, like your fireplace, is rarely affordable/ used anymore. Some people buy it in veneer depths now, but never in the full depth you've got. It lasts forever, this one is at the perfect scale for the wall chimney, and has amazing neutral camels and grays that are impossible to find in the cultured fake stuff most builders use / they sell these days. Isn't this on the chimney outside your home too, so it has authenticity? I understand you looked and thought it was probably outdated, but this one really isn't - it is a classic stone profile and just gorgeous.
It is the warmth in your room! It counterpoints beautifully off the furnishings and art (wowsa - you have great things) that you have in the room. It isn't the stone that should bother you, but the insert in the chimney - you have a much taller/ more grand chimney opening that at its real scale will wow you.
Spend your money there, get that updated by a custom metalworker so you can enjoy the scale of the masonry opening that you really have - it looks like they cut it down to match a silly std door. Ask for a raw steel finish to echo your grays and later, if you still want more traditional elements, add a modern floating mantel made of wirebrushed timber finished and distressed in gray driftwood tones that complement the stone.
The scale of your stone chimney also offers the rare opportunity for a fabulous overscale modern art canvas on the upper chimney (especially without a mantle) to echo the contemporary chic you have going. Try that before you spring for a mantle - something gorgeous that you LOVE - and you'll see this backdrop differently I think as it will provide the frame for it. Maybe change the drapery to platinum banded trimmed camel velvet on grommets to layer the textural story you've begun with the shimmering chaise and celebrate the warmth of the floor and stone.
For the $ it would take to change the masonry, you can have a huge piece of new art, new draperies and a wonderful custom metalwork / glass hearth look. Those will do more for your room than any other changes, and may be bothering you more anyway.
If you are dead set on covering it or tearing it out, I've seen good things done with a plywood rectilinear panel design. [houzz=Soho Loft][houzz=Cedar Park Residence 08]
Add the mantel as in the picture by Huestis Tucker
STonehedge Exteriors
William Hefner Architecture Interiors & Landscape
Another option is the black fireplace surround that runs the width of the bottom of the fireplace. Probably remove the stone hearth in this case.
Private Residence 2
Also I think adding warmer toned accessories would help as well. Thank you all for all the suggestions!
A much darker neutral paint color on the walls ( pull one out of the stone itself ) will create a more uniform space! On that vaulted ceiling too!
Unfortunately I don't think you can test a spot with out it being noticed.
I also think a large unique mantel would do the trick.
When we first bought our 1981 house 3 yrs ago I was certain I would replace the stone; however, I've grown to really like it. I don't love it yet, but hopefully I can be convinced. I do love the rustic texture it brings to the room. I never thought about changing the grout color, but I will now. I also like the idea of adding a timber mantle and raw steel fireplace insert.
I have been searching for ideas using the terms "lava rock," but I just recently discovered our fireplace is covered with California Drift Stone. Knowing it's NOT technically lava rock has already increased its appeal for me.
I do love the height of your fireplace and can't wait to see what you decide. As you can see, mine isn't as tall as yours but it wraps itself around the sunken room. I plan on starting my own discussion thread to ask for help with paint colors and window coverings. The room is currently Dunn Edwards Najavo White, which was painted by the previous owner.
Cheers!
Like others posted, you would have to change the furniture to fit the fireplace which you may not like. Darker furniture blended with light wood furniture would really give it a lodge feel. I can't tell if it has been done but there are also various sealers you can put on the stone to bring out the colors and give it that "wet" look which may help as well.
Also, I know the furniture doesn't mesh well with the rustic stone. I think I had 2 thoughts when originally decorating - 1) fireplace was going to eventually be updated 2) having grown up suburban/country furniture (which ended up being too formal, traditional and stodgy...basically a hot mess!).
So, I know the room needs to be edited and warmer tones added back to the room with maybe a few mid century pieces or worn leather. A mix of old and new. I'll be sure to post updates, and maybe get feedback as I edit the furniture in the room.
I would lose the curtains and the black screen, possibly change heating unit and maybe resurface
the hearth with a smooth solid stone. I like the photo hockey456 sent to you that look would look very nice with your furniture as well.