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.

Ask The Designer: E-Design for Lesley and Drew

Wow, I can't believe it is already Thursday...again, the weekend is ALMOST here.

Today on Ask The Designer, I wanted to share with you a couple of design concepts that I have been working on for a client. One of my readers, Lesley emailed me asking for design help on her living room.

Here are a few current photos:

Existing items to incorporate into the new design:

* Leather sofa and love seat
* Dining room furniture
* Drew (Lesley's husband) would like to keep the living room rug,
Lesley would like additional options
* wall color will remain the same

New items to add to the new design:

* coffee table
* side table
* table lamp
* decorative pillows (soft ones that can be used for napping)
* window treatments
* a new rug (potentially)

Lesley and Drew prefer warm colors and traditional design. Even though Lesley is most drawn to warm, natural colors, she also likes blue.

We have just started working on this project, and are still in the early phase. I just sent three design concepts to Lesley and Drew, and wanted to share them with you!

Option 1:

The focal point in this design is the traditional Persian rug. The cool gray blue in the rug brings in Lesley's love of blue. However, the warm tan and burgundy hues in the rug work well with the wall color,the stripes on the dining room chairs, and the warm wood tones.


Option 2:

Option 2 incorporates the warm tan and burgundy tones currently found in Lesley and Drew's space. In this option,we opted for a solid, neutral rug. The focal point of this design are the pops of red we brought into the space with the red, paisley pillows for the sofa.

Option 3:

Option 3 incorporates the existing rug and brings more cool colors into the design. Drawing off of the hunter, burgundy and tan in the rug we opted for a combination of tan (1) and paisley (3) patterned pillows for the sofa. The blue-green pillow (2) will accessorize the side leather chair. This will continue the cool blue throughout the space, tying it together.


All three of the design concepts incorporate a variety of natural textures. Bamboo blinds, wicker and natural woods are the base of the design.

Drew loves maps. To incorporate his love of maps into the space I would love to see Lesley and Drew create a gallery wall of maps behind the sofa (layout shown in design board above). This will be a creative way to fill the space above the sofa and incorporate Drew's passion into the room.

What do you think? We would love to hear your opinion. I can't wait to hear which option they decide!

If you're interested in an E-design, check out my interior design services or if you have a design dilemma that you would like answered on Ask The Designer, email at themustardceiling@gmail.com


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Ask The Designer

Today on Ask the Designer, I have a design dilemma for you, the readers.

For my new followers, Ask the Designer is a series I run on Thursday as an opportunity to help answer your design dilemmas. If you have a dilemma and would like design advice, please email me your question and send photos to themustardceiling@gmail.com

I am doing a mini-makeover on my dining room, adding some color. I started out with my burlap drapes with the coral border.

Now I want to incorporate the coral into the room again. I want to incorporate a fun ikat. I found this coral Malabar Fabric from Ballard Designs. I love it!



I also am crazy about this Kalah ikat from Calico Corners.

Unfortunately, the Ballard Design fabric is on back order until July and the Calico Corners fabric is too orange... so I have decided to make my own.

I have created stencils for both and have been playing around with screen printing paint, which I recently found out about from this incredible tutorial on The Exchange blog.

So I need your help, which pattern do you prefer? I am planning to recover the seat of my chairs.

I have four of these chairs.

and this is the space they are going....again.

Option 1: Medallion Ikat

Option 2: Malabar Fabric

I apologize the pictures are so terrible, this is all a very early rough draft of the creative process, thank you for bearing with me and the terrible photos, and early stages of painting the fabric.

Which do you prefer? I am open to other suggestions as well. I would love to hear your feedback.

Dining Room Table Dilemma

This week's question comes from Kate, she is struggling with her open concept
living/dining/kitchen area.

We recently purchased a renovated semi-detached home in Toronto. Our main floor is open concept living/dining/kitchen. However, I am really struggling with what to do with the dining area in particular. As you can see from the pics we have a sideboard that doesn't really fit with the style of our new home, and I'm not sure that the table works either. My specific question is what kind of dining room table we should get (round?? size in proportion to lighting fixture, colour etc.). We have a toddler running around so any material that is safer than our current glass one is also a priority.



As you can see from the photos,Kate's style is contemporary. When choosing a dining room table choose a style fits with the rest of your furniture.

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The clean lines of the dining table above would work well with the rest of the decor found in Kate's home.

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When choosing a dining room table for your space, it is important to consider the following:

1. What style would work in best my space (contemporary, traditional, flea market)? Look around your home for insight into your style.

2. What shape is your dining room? Is it square or rectangular?

3. How many do you plan to seat at one time?

4. Would you like your space to be informal or formal?

When it is time to choose a shape for your dining room table, consider these...

Square tables make a space feel casual. They are also great space savers. However, you can only fit 2-4 people comfortably.

Rectangular tables give a linear feel to the space and can seat many people at one time. However, they tend to look out of place in a square dining room.

Round tables make a space feel intimate, and are great for creating eye-contact and conversation. They are also a good choice for families with small children because they have no corners. The negative with a round table is that it takes up more space than a square or rectangular table.

Oblong tables create an informal atmosphere, however they are not suitable for small rooms.

In Kate's case, I would choose a dining room table that has clean, simple lines like the rest of her furniture.

If Kate would like to keep her side buffet, I would use either a square or round table.

West Elm, Parsons Dining Table, Square


Overstock, Round Dining Table

If she were to take the buffet away, she could use a rectangular table as long as it does not stick out past the kitchen island.

West Elm, Parsons Table, Rectangular

Her glass table gets lost in the background behind the chairs in the living room. To remedy this I would choose a table similar in color to one of the inspiration photos above, this will add weight to the table and make it stand out.

The first inspiration photo adds a modern, contemporary feel to the space. The second inspiration, while still modern, adds a glam feel to the space.

How do you feel about the space? Do you think a square, rectangular, or round dining table would work best? How did you decide on a dining room table?

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

Ask The Designer

Today is the start of my new series, Ask the Designer. I will run it on Thursday's, as an opportunity for me to help with you with your design dilemmas. If you have a dilemma and would like advice, please email me your question and send pictures to themustardceiling@gmail.com.

This week our question comes from a wonderful reader, Kristen. She and her husband are newlyweds and rent an apartment. She would love to add more color to her space, however, they cannot paint.

Currently, my living room is a bit too much brown/black/beige. I would love to incorporate more color, especially with spring on the horizon. What are some easy, inexpensive tips to add more color to our space?

This is her current living space



Here are Tips on Easy Ways to Incorporate Color...

Throw Pillows, such as these:

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Add fun, colorful Graphic Prints to your wall.

On a large wall, if you group in three, it will be a more dynamic statement. Choose three prints that coordinate, frame them in simple frames and hang together to create a cohesive piece of art.

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Accessorize with colorful accessories such as, a fun lacquer tray, or something as simple as fresh flowers will brighten a room.

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If Kristen and I were working together, I may put together a moodboard similar to this, as a way to incorporate more color into her very neutral living room.

1. Love Lives Cozy Here, 20.00
2. Fresh flowers
3. Charcoal Lattice pillows, $12.99
4. Yellow Suzani Mod pillow, $12.99
5. example of 3 graphic print layout
6. Yellow lacquer tray, $29.00
7. Navy chevron pillow, 15.00

How do you incorporate color into a space? Do you have any additional tips to share?

If you have a design dilemma and would like the opportunity to have it answered on Ask the Designer, email me at themustardceiling@gmail.com. Currently, I am in the process of setting up my e-design services, for more information e-design services email me.

Have a lovely day, the weekend is almost here!