Ask The Designer: Fireplace Dilemma

Last week, Michelle emailed me with an Ask the Designer question about her fireplace.

We moved into our new 55 year old home last January and have basically painted everything but we are at a loss as to what to do with the working fireplace.

We were wondering if, at the very least, paint it but what color(s)? My partner is thinking a dark brown but I think stay with the white and gray, maybe some black. But we are very open…

Also, we recently bought a mirror and are planning on hanging above the fireplace it has a silver frame (photo enclosed). Is it too big for the area? We also plan on a new fireplace screen.

Here are a few pictures of Michelle's Living room:

When choosing a color to paint a fireplace ask yourself, "Do you want the fireplace to stand out as a focal point in the room, or would you rather it blend into the space?"

If you said, "make it a focal point" paint your fireplace a contrasting color to the wall
this will make it stand out as a focal point.

If you are not in love the style of your fireplace, why not blend it in to your surroundings?
To blend it in, simply paint it the same color as your walls, making it "disappear".

In Michelle's case, I would recommend leaving the stone color as it is, and painting the mantel a cream (similar to the stone) if she would like it to be the focal point of the room or paint the stone a gray to match the walls (or a shade lighter) to blend it into the room.

I advise against painting the fireplace a stark white because the only white element in the room is the crown molding and the ceiling. The flooring and furniture have a warm undertone which will fight against a stark white fireplace.

A dark brown would also be a very strong contrast to the other elements in the room. The living room is already fairly dark, painting the fireplace a dark brown would visually weigh the room down more.

Michelle also asked about the mirror above the fireplace.

We recently bought a mirror and are planning on hanging above the fireplace it has a silver frame (photo enclosed). Is it too big for the area?

The mirror is a great size to hang above the fireplace. However, the silver frame will get lost against the gray wall and the natural or gray fireplace.

I recommend creating your focal point on wall above the fireplace and on the mantel.

Michelle has a lot of warm tones throughout her living room. Dark wood furniture, a warm yellow sofa and striped chair. Spray painting the mirror a warm bronze, such as Rustoleum Hammered Spray paint, Brown, would tie it to the rest of the furniture in the space and make it stand against the gray wall.

It would also draw your eye to the fireplace mantel, creating a strong focal point in the room.



This is a start to creating a focal point, the next step is to accessorize the mantel.

Accessorizing the mantel will truly make all of the difference in the space.

A few options for decorating a mantel:

1.) Symmetrical Design

A symmetrical design is balanced and ordered, it is the same on both sides of the mantel.

To create the look:

Start with a large item in the center (it can be a mirror, piece of art, etc.). Next, place pairs on either side of the item in the center. The pairs do not have to be identical, but they should relate in some way (shape, color, height).

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2. Asymmetrical Design

An asymmetrical look on the fireplace a little more difficult to create then a symmetrical look.

To create the look:

Find the balance between the vertical and horizontal elements, without placing everything in a straight line. Offset elements to keep the eye moving along the mantel.

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Did you notice how your eye moves up and down across the mantel of this photo?

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This mantel is slightly more symmetrical than the last, but it still keeps your eye moving and it appears the large circular mirror is offset to the right side a little.

3. Layering

Layering is creating unity in what you collect and displaying it on your mantel.

To create the look:

Start with taller objects, placing them against the back of the mantel. Add items that relate, creating a sense of continuity, but vary height and width to add visual interest.

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I hope these recommendations help Michelle.

Do you have any recommendations to help Michelle with her design dilemma?

We would love to hear them.

If you have a design dilemma, please email me at themustardceiling@gmail.com.