What would you do with this fireplace?

[hanksmom]

We are painting a couple shades darker so the stone will stand out. We really don't love the stone but it's there for now. I haven't decorated since I took my holiday stuff down. It's such a big area and I've never loved what I have had up there. Any ideas?

[treedimensional]

I think the stone stands out too much already. Has it been painted?
I would add a wood mantel to bring back some of the organic quality and balance it.

[bunnies]

Jan 25, 2015 14:47:19 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

I would add a wood mantel to bring back some of the organic quality and balance it.

I like this idea!

[hanksmom]

We were talking about doing a wood mantel today. It hasn't been painted. It's Texas Limestone. I feel like it will never "blend in" so we need to embrace, almost play it up.

I'm not home but I can take pictures of the rest of the room in a bit. But it's pretty boring. Brown leather couch, gold chairs, round coffee table.

[sierramist03]

Jan 25, 2015 15:25:05 GMT -5 bunnies said:

Jan 25, 2015 14:47:19 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

I would add a wood mantel to bring back some of the organic quality and balance it.

I like this idea!

me too

[redheadk]

I wouldn't paint the stone. I would repaint the walls to something that goes better with the stone's undertones and would provide just a bit more contrast then add a stained wood mantle over the existing mantle.

[hanksmom]

We won't paint the stone. I'm sorry if it sounded that way. The walls are going a couple shades darker. I'll take pictures of the rest of the room in just a few minutes.

[mrspez07]

We have a vaulted ceiling whole wall moss rock fireplace, so I feel ya! I struggled for a long time but have finally learned to accept and sometimes like what I've got going on. I tried a lot and it's still a process.

I think vertical art, mirror or a piece on the mantle can help with the scale, but we struggle because the mantle is so narrow for most tall pieces, not sure how wide yours is. I've found that similar tones/colors also minimize the scale and don't draw attention to the height, so keep that in mind when/if adding wood, a dark wood may be too strong of a contrast, unless you've got other pieces that are dark and balance it.

[pumpkin]

As others have mentioned, I like the idea of a wood mantle and an a different wall color to add some contrast

[policegirl402]

Jan 25, 2015 17:16:48 GMT -5 redheadk said:

I wouldn't paint the stone. I would repaint the walls to something that goes better with the stone's undertones and would provide just a bit more contrast then add a stained wood mantle over the existing mantle.

This!

Also, it seems the wall color is yellow? And you are going to paint it a darker shade yellow? I think that would blend too much with the stone and bring out the yellow of the stone... I think you need a different color. Check out Maria Killam's blog, "color me happy". She talks all about undertones / fixed objects and how to work with them.

[auntie]

I like the idea of a wood mantle. You might be able to have something wood custom crafted and boxed over the existing one. I would try for something as wide as the stone facade for the shelf and perhaps curved tapered at the bottom. Hanging an interesting mirror or piece of art might help as well as adding an interesting firescreen.

My BIL has a 3 story stone column in his house- he has a ginormous cuckoo clock hung on it. It works.

[boiler717]

I agree with the wood mantle. A friend has wooden doors hung over her 2 story fireplace. She changes out wreaths on them seasonally. It really works and my favorite thing I've seen done on a tall fireplace.

[boiler717]

Something like this

[hanksmom]

Jan 26, 2015 9:03:21 GMT -5 boiler717 said:

Something like this

I like that! I'll see what I can find.

[hanksmom]

Here are a couple pictures of the rest of the room. It the one room that isn't decorated bc the set up is just odd. The TV niche is in a bad spot. We talked about sheet rocking it and installing "built ins" around the tv. But that isn't a project that is happening any time soon.

The walls are currently a tan color with yellow undertones. We are going with a more greenish tan.

[hanksmom]

I forgot the other pictures. Whoops.

[caddywompus]

Can you move that big clock from the stairway niche- and hang it over the fireplace? It will add some color and break up the stone.

[TBM]

Jan 26, 2015 16:36:11 GMT -5 caddywompus said:

Can you move that big clock from the stairway niche- and hang it over the fireplace? It will add some color and break up the stone.

At first I thought this was a great idea, but I think adding one more round thing next to the two arches would be too much.  There is already a lot of arch/roundness going on.

I am thinking that maybe what it needs is something that is not rectangular or round as decor on the fireplace.....a tall spray of something in a tall vase, or a sculptural wall hanging. ETA: Or big art with a lot of movement and color.

I agree with the others...a nice wood mantel would help too.

[memenee]

I'd paint the walls a soft blue - Comfort Gray is very pretty and comes to mind (poorly named as it's not gray!) and add a rustic wood mantle.

While I think PPs suggestion of the doors is very cool and very original, I'm not feeling it for your space. I'd do a single, tall colorful piece of art up there.