apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Personally I really ike just the look it has now primed white! :-)

I really loved it in the "before" - especially if it could have been with all the other great "after" decorating choices. Don't know what else to say - except that I don't see a problem with the inset mortar.

I think one way to vastly improve it instantly would be to remove that large picture of an arse

Yeow!!!

Well, before you do anything pricey, I recommend trying the following:

a) See if you can strip it and to reveal what kind of brick you've got. I'm assuming it's a red brick, which would go great with teak. You might like the looks of it. Of course, you'll likely have to get some heavy-duty equipment to do it.

b) Paint it a solid color. White is modern and crisp, but a fireplace in use won't stay "crisp."

On another note, installing a more substantial mantel wouldn't be a bad idea.

Just some thoughts!

i liked the primed white too.

it does look neat, but maybe soften it up with a lighter version of that wall color (grey?)

I guess I'm not a fan of painted brick, but I do like the look it has now, primed white. It might be nice to sort of buff it a bit in spots to get down to the original brick to get a sort of weathered look?


Sorry to post this general question, but I dont know where else to do it. Does anyone know how long it takes to get a question posted? I have emailed several questions and it has been a month. Just wondering if they dont post everything?

I have no idea about pricing for a fireplace redo. For the the time being, I would suggest finding a "dirtier" white. With the sophisticated palatte you have, it might look better.

Oh btw, great pic.

Until you can figure out what you want to do, I would suggest painting the fireplace a "dirtier" white. It blends better with the two wall colors you've already suggested.

maybe add something to the little ledge bit, to add more of a spark of color there, but otherwise, given that budget is an issue, fully painted is fine. i think the lighter wall color might be nice on it.

I agree with the dirtier white suggestions. I think the design has character. Keep it!

Kayla Here -

Thanks for asking, scmods! After our call for questions we (thankfully) were inundated with emails. We're working through all questions, slowly but surely and in the order they were received. Just hang in there, we'll get to it!

I think it looks fine white too.

Where did you find the rug?

Thanks Kayla!
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I kinda love the way it looks now, the before seems a little dated, but overall I think the clean modern white looks good with your other decor choices. Looks like you've got a tiny brick ledge maybe find some bold colored nick-knacks to place there. Or a flower arrangement.
You're apartment is lovely.

I agree - the white is fine (a BIG improvement over that awful B&W paintjob!)

And mortar joints are supposed to be deeper than the surface of the brick.

I know exactly what you should do! Visit Layla at theletteredcottage http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-82-fireplace-makeover.html.

It cost her $82.

I think the white fireplace is fine. You should finish it with a "dirtier" white as suggested above. A modern slate fireplace will probably look dated in about 10 years. The brick has character and it has an interesting pattern.

Well, I'm with you on the slate, but meanwhile the all white is a big improvement. (Looks good with the furniture and rug, as well.) I'd aim for the day when you could rip it out and go with something more streamlined, but if you like funky, another idea is to go Gaudi. Mosaic the whole thing in fanciful patterns with broken china, glass, tile bits, etc. (The curves in the brickwork might make this work!)

http://www.utip.info/cheesetoastie/images/artists/gaudi_lizard.jpg

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/image-files/gaudi/antoni-gaudi-park-guell-11.jpg

http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/images/gaudi03.jpg

I'd add character with accessories like a cool fireplace screen. I'd also think about painting the mantle.

I'm the owner of this disaster so thanks for the tips. Okay, so it seems a majority of you are suggesting a dirtier white. What does that mean, like going a bit grey towards the Chinchilla white of the other three walls?

I never thought about a weathered look but buffing isn't an option because I'm scared that the paint is lead since the house was built in 1923 and that paint has been there since the 70's.

Keep the suggestions coming. This is great!

idontdobeige, I'm a photographer and I do snapshot murals so my work isn't always "home decor friendly." But I like the lobster orange DJ box and the tone of his skin so I might keep it there. Regardless, some kind of big piece of art is going to be hung there. Right now, I just have some things leaning there.

The room is still a work in progress. I have since purchased a few white vases and a beautiful stainless steel wave wine rack.

Was thinking of putting stacked firewood in the fireplace (I'm never using the fireplace) and maybe the wine rack on top.

KMK, it's a temporary, weaved cotton rug for now. I got it on sale for $19 at Urban Outfitters. I love how it reminds me of the Empire State building.

After I get sick of it, I might just replace it with another more expensive weaved dark grey Chilewich rug:
http://www.furniturestoreblog.com/images/chilewich%20kitchen%20and%20bathroom%20floor%20mats.jpg

I'm on the "it looks nice painted" bandwagon. I think it's a rather unique brick pattern and it would kind of be a shame to cover it completely. That said, I think it would benefit from a new mantel, which would be an inexpensive fix. The current one isn't really do anything for the fireplace or the room.

The mantle is the same wood as the oak trim and baseboards. What do I paint it if I were to? The same colour as the fireplace?

I'm also one who is okay with the white painted brick. The picture on top...not so much.

SERIOUSLY.

Visit http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-82-fireplace-makeover.html

It will take you breath away!

You could try what we're planning to do with our own painted brick fireplace, which is the "BDDW treatment" discussed long ago on AT:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/how-to-make-your-brick-walls-like-bddws-004202

Ah thanks. The first link you posted didn't work for me for some reason. But the issue is that I have brick that curves... This would be a neat project if I could make it possible.

I agree with painting the back wall softer/ gray-er (or maybe olive green?). Wood mantle is a bit unusual -- I wouldn't paint it, especially since there are other wood accents -- floor and chairs. One might regret painting it after it was too late.

I think it could be possible because you could build a new mantle out so that anything hanging from it would be flush with the widest part.

Does that make sense?

I wouldn't paint or change the mantle - I think it's just right as-is.

Hi,
By a dirty white, i mean one with gray tones in it. Your other two wall colors are nice and subtle. I think it will meld the fireplace into the room.

Good luck

The lettered cottage did do an amazing job!! WOW http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/search?q=brick

It might not work with the curvy brick though. The paint does look good, but I agree that a "dirty white" or solid color would be better.

It would be cool to sandblast it and expose the original brick. It's obviously the real deal. The "inset mortar" is how nearly all real brick mortar is done, at least on fireplaces.

You'd sort of be like enclosing the fireplace in a shadow box. The widest part would be flush with new frame and since it was enclosed, you'd never know that the old frame curved back.

I think it Layla's method would look smashing with your paint job and teak furniture...just like a shore cottage.

i agree with idontdobeige!
that arse is distracting but that may be the point! i mean if you really don't like your fireplace.

what about building a simple/sleek wood facade to fit over the existing one. this way you won't destroy any of the homes history.Also, if and when you sell it you can have the original fireplace as an option in case the buyer is into that look.

Agreed; it looks fine.

Also, yes, what's up with the picture of a butt? EXPLAIN PLS.

I think that a mantle that follows that interesting curve of the front would be great, and then stain the mantle black. Or paint it black, either one.

Personally, I love the black and white that it was before, but it was quirky and might have been hard to work with, so I understand why you've changed it. But you might have had to do a very severe Art Deco thing with it if you had kept it.

The butt is a Toronto DJ I photographed on one of my many nights out. He actually bought a mural and it's handing in his own studio.

I do snapshot, Nan Goldin/Ryan McGinley-ish photography so the more butts, blood and raw meet, the better. :)

I don't believe in the typical aesthetically pleasing art for my home or for my own work. Life's too short for bowls of fruit I guess. I really love that photo as it does have back story.

And if you look at the photograph in person, you'll see that in his DJ box, the record is Good Vibrations by Roy Ayers. I'll eventually move it as I have to make room for a giant photo of a dead fish. Haha.