How can I lighten this fireplace up?

[Deleted]

You can buy those reproduction A&C tiles online (e.g. www.weavertile.com/installations_fireplaces.asp). Maybe a mason could tile up the front on top of the brick? Not sure about the depth though. I'd probably start by calling a mason or a tile person. Or call a tile maker and see what s/he thinks. They're probably familiar with the process, since I'm sure it comes up a lot. I'd love to redo ours too, but it's so far down the list of priorities.

ETA: Again, floors are gorgeous!

[tarheels]

Mar 17, 2013 10:11:22 GMT -5 @lcap said:

This is my favorite of what you've posted.  I agree about contacting a mason to see about "slipcovering" the brick.  I think you need visual lightness and I don't think there are any tricks you can do with the existing set up to address that.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the suggestion of a mason and slipcovering the brick. Do you think a small border around the fireplace would be enough to lighten it up? I want to replace the gold screen too with wrought iron.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2013 11:04:15 GMT -5 @juno said:

You can buy those reproduction A&C tiles online (e.g. www.weavertile.com/installations_fireplaces.asp). Maybe a mason could tile up the front on top of the brick? Not sure about the depth though. I'd probably start by calling a mason or a tile person. Or call a tile maker and see what s/he thinks. They're probably familiar with the process, since I'm sure it comes up a lot. I'd love to redo ours too, but it's so far down the list of priorities.

ETA: Again, floors are gorgeous!

Thanks.

I hear you on the bolded. Our priorities for this spring are to have the floors refinished, the driveway repaved, and something done about the patio. DH is going to work on the interior doors himself. We have someone coming in to give us an estimate on the floors this week so I am excited to hear what he has to say. I'd love to address the fireplace this year too but I'm sure my H will veto that. I might have to get an estimate on my own for that just to get an idea of how much it would cost, lol.

[Marmee]

I have a very, very similar wall in my LR only my bookshelves are not built in on either side, they are free standing. We painted the mantel white . But most of the woodwork in the LR was already white so it wasn't as tragic. We also have a mirror (I believe original) that takes up the entire space above the fireplace. Its built in. Then I'd cover the brick possibly which you can do without tearing the old out. My brick is greenish blue & I love it so its left as is. On my someday dream list is to replace the glass in my side windows with Scottish, stained or art glass ( like your example). It'd add so much character & beauty I think.

[auntie]

Mercer tiles. They'd really work in a Craftsman setting.

Mercer Fireplaces

[auntie]

www.buckscounty.org/government/departments/tileworks/catalogue.aspx

[bunnymendelbaum]

Weird, but how about adding lights? We have two eyeball lights pointing at our fireplace and it really helps add light and drama to the room.

Is it a working fireplace? I'd take off the brass, replace it with wrought iron (and then maybe add some birch logs if it is a non-functioning fireplace.)

[sillygoosegirl]

Mar 17, 2013 14:53:55 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Weird, but how about adding lights? We have two eyeball lights pointing at our fireplace and it really helps add light and drama to the room.

Is it a working fireplace? I'd take off the brass, replace it with wrought iron (and then maybe add some birch logs if it is a non-functioning fireplace.)

I agree. It's so beautiful the way it is. I would add more lighting if it is too dark. I also think the brass is too bright and makes everything else look darker, but that might also just be how it looks in the photo.