SFGate

decoenthusiaste How else are you using gray in the room? Where are you going with the entire space?

nFORMAL design Not a fan of painting a nice, stained and varnished wood. As mentioned earlier, what are you doing with the rest of the space? I'm not seeing much grey in there.

Arlene Warda, Architecture+Interior Design Stay with the neutrals, natural tones. Also called 'earth' tones. They are timeless and ageless. You won't have to paint so often. Thanks for the pictures of the curtain. The earth tones, and naturals are:
green, sage green, beige, soft brown, light biege brown. Also a soft gold, light yellow is good. Fire place should be a second color. Keep it white or a shade brighter. Ceiling should also be white or a soft brighter color, than walls.

Interiors by Kristina You should be more careful while painting following Arlene's advise. Tape is not expensive. You can get one in Dollar Tree. Everything there cost $ 1. Sharp crisp edge would enhance mantel. Arlene is an award winning architect do not ruin her a efforts, please.

Keitha I agree, leave mantel alone ! I suggest a big round mirror over the fireplace. Sending mirror ideas.

groveraxle I would paint the fireplace the same color as the walls. Leave the mantel alone.

modernisforlovers I would say a dark drown/tan. Slate looking. Nothing light color trust me. It will get dirty fast!

Interiors by Kristina My comments were regarding QUALITY of painting. Look at the close up. Not painting entire mantel. Use some edger or tape to achieve crisp clean edges. Because of high contrast it shows.

yvesun I would paint the fireplace cream something along the lines as Cream Silk OC115, and paint the walls a warm neutral such as Mellowed Ivory 2149-50 both are Benjamin Moore colours. Leave the beautiful stain on the mantel as is.

Welcome Home designs Here is a picture of a dark grey painted fireplace with a white mantle.


Is this what you envisioned?

hevs Thanks all! Here is the finished product - we haven't started thinking wall colors yet but I really like the way this came out. I did paint the mantle which was a hard decision because I feel horrible about painting nice wood but it really didn't look nice leaving it the way it was and we have a lot of unpainted wood in other areas of the house that I wouldn't dream of painting ;) here is a pic

Interiors by Kristina Solid wood you can always strip and refinish, if you didn't strip for painting is sealed by varnish and paint will not penetrate grain. Follow Arlene's advise for color palette. She is award winning architect. Her work was published in a major home decor magazines.

cohoek Very nice result, was a good choice to paint the mantle, who would have thought.. Not sure about the mirror though, is way too small. Love your flower pot but wouldn't put it there, maybe somewhere else with more blue stuff together? OR get some blue pillows...instead of the red. This is so much fun! I have blue pillow covers for in the summer and red ones for the winter! I also take out all my pewter stuff in the summer and all the koper in the winter...

hevs I agree on the mirror - we don't love it there either - it's a work in progress and yes it is so fun to play with space and color and objects :)

Interiors by Kristina Interior decorating may be fun but it is not a play. There are design elements and principles. Rules can be broken if compensated by another elements and /or principles. Arlene in her advise was following color theory. Design is visual language.

What's Inside Design Ltd. Beautiful job!!!
I digitally added a big/beautiful/bold mirror to your space.
An item like this will help your new fire place command the attention it deserves!
I recommend you go large scale, and high polish!
Have fun!
Caroline :)

What's Inside Design Ltd. Here's the image:

stoneponies12 wow, your room looks beautiful and very fresh. Great job! I love the mirror mockup by What's Inside Design LTD.

Mary Dancey Interiors I like the top few rows of brick and the mantle painted white. I do not like the colour you've chosen for the lower brick but don't know where you're headed with the wall colour. I'd like to see the lower brick a stronger darker colour like a dark brown/grey even medium dark. But, there is always a but, it's your space and if you love it who are we to argue with that. :) I'd like to see more of your house, lots of interesting architectural elements going on in the back ground. Turn of the century home?

hevs Thanks for all your comments and input - I love the big mirror idea! I was originally going to do a dark color for the lower brick but it just felt too heavy. This is just the first try - it was so easy to paint it I figure I can change it easily as needed :) the house was built in 1890 and I have lots of things I need help with - I am going to post my daughters room next - huge room. To much wall space - stay tuned.....

hevs I meant.....NOT too much wall space

Interiors by Kristina Interior decorating is very local. Where do you live ???