Oh my gosh, hello! How wonderful to see you!
I wasn’t expecting company today – thank you so much for stopping by!
Would you like to come in? The place is kind of a mess these days, but at least it’s warm.
Hungry? I can’t eat sweets, but I’d love to watch you eat my favorite cupcake of all time.
Lemonlicious. I am so going to eat 10,000 of these bad boys in February.
No? You just ate? Well, you have admirable self control my friend.
But I feel like I’m failing at my hostess duties if I can’t force you into consuming something. Can I get you a drink? I may have a strawberry Bellini lying around.
Mmm. Bellini-y.
There. That’s better.
Now that you’re nice and liquored up, can I get your opinion on something?
Please, let’s head into the living room. Right this way.
That's not our furniture. Or our clock. Or our giant TV. Or our freshly vacuumed floors.
Let’s talk about my fireplace.
I know. The dark green wall has GOT to go.
It’s a bit too tall for us to reach though – even with our extension ladder. (Although my husband has the brilliant/terrifying idea to set the ladder on the hearth and very carefully paint the tippy top of the ceiling. Yeah. No thanks.)
But don’t worry – we’ll figure SOMETHING out!
And we’ve already got the replacement paint color picked out. It’s called “Hinting Blue” from Sherwin Williams.
Oooh! Aaaaaah! The caption is twice as big as the swatch!
But let’s try to ignore the wall and focus on the fireplace.
Still not our furniture or giant clock. Man. The clock and the TV make the fireplace seem much less huge than it is. Perhaps I need to invest in a giant clock?
It’s lovely. But… it’s kind of hideous.
I mean, it’s SO HUGE. And so very… bricky.
If I had magical powers, I would paint the brick and mantle white, I’d add tall light-giving windows to either side of the fireplace – like this or this – and I’d find a classy way to mount a (bigger than our actual TV) flat screen TV above the mantle.
CLASSY, I said.
No, I really think it can be done in a classy way.
Okay, we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Anyway, since I am neither a successful coke dealer nor the inventor of actual Coke, the windows will have to wait.
Unless you have a brilliant and cost-effective way to insert windows into the side of a house?
No?
Too bad.
But I do still have dreams about painting the entire fireplace white.
What’s that?
No, I have no idea how to paint wood OR brick.
But! I have been pinning a lot of white fireplaces on Pinterest! Didn’t you know that if you pin enough images that you unlock a level where little robots climb out of your computer and do your every bidding?
I’m thinking that I can get away with just painting the mantle. You know, if I can figure out how to do that. I’m envisioning a result like this.
Of course, our fireplace doesn’t have that same kind of fancy wood surround.
Those knick knacks are mine. Don't you love the artfully casual way they are strewn about the mantle and the hearth?
Sigh.
Maybe it will look less awful once the green paint is a distant memory?
What’s that?
Oh, you’re so sweet. Thank you for saying it isn’t that bad. I know one girl’s ugly fireplace is another girl’s beautiful focal point. I just need to find an easy, cost-effective way to DO THAT.
Well, it looks as though you’ve finished your drink. And I really should get back to work. Shall I show you out?
If you have any thoughts about what to do with this monstrosity, or any ideas for general fireplace sprucing, give me a ring.
It was lovely to see you. Thanks for stopping by! You are welcome in my home any time!
From everything I’ve heard, painting fireplaces is super easy! I think it would look FANTASTIC if you painted it white!
I did paint my brick fireplace white, about 2 years ago in a fit of hate for how it looked. It had been making me nuts for some time (read 20 years) and then, one day I JUST DID IT. And, ya know what…it looked even better than I had imagined. And it has held up great. And it still looks fabulous. And I still love it.
The only tiny little niggling concern is that there is no going back, I mean I don’t even know if it is possible to remove paint from brick. On the other hand, it looked awful before and it looks great now, so who would want to go back.
I did mix the paint with water, about 60% paint 40% water, for the first coat, figuring it would take a LONG time to dry and if I hated it I would have increased the liklihood of getting it off. But, as I said, I loved it. Biggest bang for the buck ever!
White, for sure. And, you’re in luck. I have just the tutorial for you! http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/01/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace/ & then they did it again here: http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/06/fireplace-happenings/
Do it!! I can’t wait to see it!
I say paint it! Here’s a great tutorial http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/01/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace/
I think white would be great – would brighten it up for sure! Do you read Young House Love blog? They are DIYers & I’m pretty sure have a tutorial on painting brick fireplace … If I weren’t on my phone I’d look it up for you, but check it out! I think it would be fairly simple & cheap to do, and make a big change in the space.
Ha I’m now seeing other comments with links … I say go for it!
I was going to link to Young House Love’s tutorial too! You should absolutely go check it out. And I think I have the solution to your classy way to mount a TV above the fireplace. Check this out: http://www.hiddentelevision.com/samsungledmirrortv.htm
It’s a mirror! And a TV! And so pretty!
We had the same problem with super high ceilings and hideous wall color. Turns out you can rent a really tall ladder from Home Depot for the day for a very reasonable price.
I also think white is a lovely idea for your fireplace. I also know it is possible to remove paint from brick as my mother did it at a house where they had painted the fireplace mint green, pastel pink, and butter cream yellow. And you thought your fireplace was ugly.
I was going to link to the Young House Love tutorial as well- no need! Ha! I will say though, the best way to make the fireplace look more to scale would be to add built ins on either side- probably in white – and paint the BACK of the built ins the same color as the wall. (Built ins are surprisingly not horriby expensive if you can find a carpenter to come do it, especially if you do the painting.)
I do LOVE your fireplace though, you just have to jazz it up to make it yours! I think an assortment of candlesticks with taper candles (mercury glass?) would look awesome, in different heights!
To piggy back on Daisy’s comment, which I think could be a great way to go, you could even give IKEA Billy bookcases the “built in” treatment for what I can only assume is less money than real built-ins. I’ve seen a few tutorials but this one came to mind first: http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/11/from-billys-to-built-ins/
You know, I’d get rid of the green and see how you feel about the rest of it. The green makes it so…rustic. But maybe once that’s lightened up, you won’t want to paint the whole fireplace white too.
I agree with Sara about changing the green first and then re-evaluating. While you can remove paint from brick, it’s a total PITA. Painting the wood mantel involves sanding away the current finish, priming it and then painting it Not hard, but a bit time consuming.
I also was thinking of built-ins, as Daisy mentioned. The fireplace looks really lost on that wall and built-ins would really help it fit the room better.
Another option for the fireplace is just building a wood surround over the brick (which my parents have done, I’ll take pictures next time I am there). You can tile over brick, which I did around the entrance to my firebox. I’m not a fan of brick, I covered every inch of it that was showing on my fireplace. You literally build it to be whatever you want.
Oh, and as for side windows.. you could try the old mirror trick? http://jordanguidedesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Mirror_Windows.jpg
I painted my first fireplace white and loved it. Be sure to get the right type of paint, so tell the Home Depot guy what your painting. You can also get an extender for your roller to get to the top. Be prepared for the ‘snowball’ effect of home improvement. I decided to paint one wall and found my self ripping out old track lighting and changing out electrical outlets- All be myself! ‘Cause you know, Doc H was in the OR! HAHA! I then watched it move into the kitchen and my one wall project lead to the whole kitchen being demo’ed to the studs. Ugh. It was painful and pitiful.
As for the windows. I’ve done that, too. You need permits and it is costly. How about mirrors? They help add lots of light, look great and are really cost effective.
I actually really like natural brick fireplaces. I think that fireplace does need a bigger, thicker mantle though. More like this:
http://www.pearlmantels.com/412gallery.html#
http://theletteredcottage.net/decorating-for-spring/
But maybe a white mantle.
Dear Sweet Baby Jesus, that is one giant mofo clock. TICK. TOCK. So glad to hear that it didn’t come with the purchase of the house.
I also was going to link to the YHL post but I see you have that covered. I agree with the other folks who say you should paint the room and then assess whether you want to paint the fireplace. We are in a rental with a brick fireplace and kind of love it (if you train yourself to think like a realtor and say it’s “exposed brick” in a “sun-drenched” “pre-war” etc., etc.) Our brickie is part of a larger exposed brick wall, though, and it fits the aesthetic of the apartment.
As for the wall paint job, if you can’t see yourself teetering on a giant ladder, call in the professionals. They will do it a great job and you will be a great American for stimulating the economy. Then save a little cash by doing the fireplace paint job yourself. Win win!
I think build-in book shelves on each side of the mantel would do wonders. Also have seen people go to salvage and find old mantels that they paint…at least they do on the rehab shows on tv….
I think you should paint the brick too. And then come do mine. Except mine isn’t brick, it just needs painting.
And after you paint, get the glass rocks for the fireplace. I am getting those and they are really gorgeous.
Ok well I’ll start off by saying how jealous I am of your fireplace. I DO think once the green wall is gone it will make a huge difference. I think I would paint the wall first and see how you feel. But if you want to go white, go white! We only live once, may as well go for it. Plus, I think it would look absolutely wonderful.
Oh and thanks for that Bellini – I really needed that today
Rave (Just Expressive) recently painted her fireplace white. I don’t think it was that hard or expensive…Although what the hell do I know? Anyway, she might be someone to talk to! Here’s her post about it: http://blog.justexpressive.com/?p=1668
Thanks for the cupcake!
Raven*
OK, didn’t look through all the comments, but I’m pretty sure Young House Love painted their fireplace white. I betcha they have details. Maybe. Sorry, am being lazy and not looking up the link. And it would look fantastic white, with the green (agreed, ugly) paint gone. Can you hire some teenage type person to paint it for you?
This is a link to a blog of someone that did paint their brick fireplace, and in the post there is a link to wherever she got her inspiration. http://adashofhumblepie.blogspot.com/2010/10/push-i-needed.html
I hope it’s helpful, along with all the other info you are gathering!
How fun! I think it would be awesome to be the kind of people who actually get home improvement things done.
I’m sure I’ll have something to say about the wall/fireplace at some point, but right now my brain is stuck: My.God.That.Is.A.Large.Clock.
Tv above the mantle: apparently it generally vetoes warranties on tvs, and most of the time is higher than tv-watchers prefer, which is around 4ft up.
Painting the brick: fantastic idea. That living room will be aweaome when you’re done!
You crack me UP! And I would like the bellini please….. seriously. How do I get one in my hands now? Oh, what? 1pm at work on monday is not an appropriate place to drink one? But they do it on Mad Men….
ps- that green wall…yikes.
You should enter your living room into an HGTV challenge. Wouldn’t that be like the coolest thing in life? No?
I’d think you could add the side columns if you wanted (under the mantel on the edges of the existing fireplace). But how much white are you talking if you paint it? All of the brick? I’d think it would be hard to keep clean, but maybe that’s where you have to find the right kind of paint.
Oh gosh, I can’t lie, I HATE that paint. I mean really badly. Who chose that and why? Oh gag. I am NOT a fan. NORMALLY I’m not a fan of painting brick BUT if you want the more modern look you are going to have to because I agree…it is “bricky.” I’m sure the library has TONS of how to videos and books on it…ours does. Do we get to see the finished product? I hope so!
I just busted out laughing at your comment about unlocking a level on Pinterest. If only! My office is that lovely shade of green… not a fan.
P.S. I apologize for randomly commenting on all of your old posts! Today I thought to myself, “I wonder why LOADW never posts anymore?” and clicked over to your blog to find that you have, in fact, been posting. Somehow I just didn’t get your updates in Reader until now. And I think that’s the second time that’s happened. Hopefully now I can follow in real time.