apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

waaa, i miss the brick. But, if i hadn't known the brick was there before, I'd like how it looks now.

What is the olive paint color you used on the fireplace mantle/surround? Thanks!

That's a really beautiful transformation. Kudos!

Fabu! I like the change in art and the addition of a mirror.

I tend to like brick, but I think the new look is much better for the rest of your living space. Great job!

Very nice. Although I love a brick fire place... and really liked the former art.

Nice change. Although the former fireplace was done well. Just not my style.

Looks like she's using the original mantel at the base of the remake. Nice touch. I prefer the original however.

I need a new surround very similar to this for our fireplace. What is it made of? Is it fire safe? PLEASE let me know if it was DIY or a source if not. My fireplace has been half done for six months becuase I cannot find a surround to finish it.

Thanks!!!!

I inherited a brick fireplace that had been painted and partially sandblasted. As if that wasn't hideous enough, there was a cheap half mantle mounted above the fireplace opening that could barely hold the weight if a marble.

The brick was beyond salvaging so I had it mudded, sanded and painted the same color as the living room walls. Faced the opening and hearth with carara marble remnants and finished with a wood mantle surround painted BM dovewhite in high gloss. Its a great balance of modern and traditional that gave the room a true *wow* factor.

Call me crazy - but I preferred the "Before" too.

I also don't care for her furniture layout: The tall cabinets currently draw attention away from her fireplace. I'd put the bookcases opposite the fireplace on the wall where the big sofa is now and I'd place the sofas facing one another in the center of the room perpendicular to the fireplace with the coffee table centered.

I'd never call you crazy... ~:o) That would be rude. But I really like the change. I get what you are doing with the two separate seating areas. It may be the picture, but they seem to run into each other. One more thing to make the fireplace complete; paint the inside with a can of black fireproof paint.

Wow, what a surprise to find my room here today! Thanks for all the comments. It's so interesting to see all the different viewpoints.

I am still not totally thrilled with the look, and have been pondering what to do to improve it - but I do like it better than before.

I first tried to stucco over the bricks to just get a flat but roughish look, like concrete, but that didn't work - it didn't adhere well. Then I tried spackle - but also did not work.
Then I discovered they were fake bricks! I was amazed how easily the sheets could be chiseled off with a hammer and screwdriver. And underneath was just the continuous sheetrock of the wall, which I sanded lightly and painted with Ralph Lauren textured paint (suede or stone or something like that. And I don't remember the exact color, but I got it at Home Depot) The two side pieces remained from before and I just put a thin strip of wood across the top, and painted them all. The whole thing cost less than $40 and was done in an afternoon. But close-up it looks slightly amateurish, so I am still hoping to upgrade it eventually. And quiltmaster, I was thinking the same thing, about painting the inside, when I saw the photo!

And I agree, the furniture layout is lacking. It is a difficult room because it is quite long. I have treated it as almost two separate areas - like in front of the bookcase is our den and in front of the fireplace is our living room - but when we have guests I want both areas to relate to each other also. I've often thought the bookcases would be better across from the fp - but can't figure out where to place the comfy chair and couch for TV viewing (TV is on the bookcase). Right now it is extremely comfortable and functions very well for us to hang out - just doesn't look quite right.

At the moment I have the long couch in the picture foreground, set perpendicular to the wall opposite the fireplace - and it definitely helps take away the bowling alley look. But it juts out too far and doesn't look quite right.

I have been thinking of treating myself to something I never thought I would - one of those professional one day designer consultations/makeovers. It is easy to spot the look I like when I see it, but a lot harder to actually achieve it!

Oh, and before I do anything else..my first priority is to get rid of the horrible vertical blinds! Just not sure what to put instead.

Nankie, no need to be so self deprecating, I think what you've done is great :)... Perhaps what you don't like is the proportion of the top horizontal, far too skinny and not readily supportive of a vase of flowers...maybe having the mantepiece at the top gave better proportions??? Dunno, but I think maybe have another look at that element to see if its better to have the heaviness at the top rather than at the base. Well done though, it was dated before. Also, try the layout bepsf suggested, if your circulation route will allow it...and what about a nice persian rug on the floor, try Ikea's range. Well done.

I like the change as I prefer a clean-lined look to the original, but you need to do some fine-tuning in order for it to be a polished project...

...it looks very awkward (and is a fire hazard -- cannot be to code) to use the original mantle as a hearth. Further, you've now created a stepped hearth, which does not jibe with the updated look you are after -- looks like you just didn't want to throw out the piece, and couldn't think of a better use for it. I would recommend removing it.

...taking the mantle off the top of the fireplace has made the shape of the fireplace oddly unbalanced, as there are two heavy projecting verticals on either side, and then just this skinny mantle on top -- feels odd and uncomfortable; you may wish to consider replacing a heavier mantle, either the original (without the brackets) or an alternative, such as stone or concrete.

...did you just drywall over the bricks? In the top picture, the edges looks very rough and irregular, and in the second picture it looks to me as if the cut out is not straight on the right hand side. When you are going for a clean-lined look, it undermines the look (and looks unprofessional) if the edges are not meticulous -- straight and neat -- so that needs to be tidied up as well.

...the mirror looks very nice, especially hung off-centre. However, it looks half-hearted as it is about half the size it should be for the scale to be right. You should try and get one double the size.

...as for the furniture placement... right now, the sofa opposite the fireplace does not appear to relate to it -- it is too far away, and not centered. Your idea of creating 2 separate zones in your living room is a great one, just see it to the logical conclusion -- i.e., create a cozy seating area around the fireplace with one sofa and a couple of chairs pulled closer, and another one around the windows (putting the bookcase on the opposite wall might work better). Using 2 rugs to define the spaces would really help.

You need an area rug to anchor your fire-place seating. Which, btw, seems fairly far from the fireplace.

I think "The Teal Sea" is right. You need a bold mantelpiece above the fireplace. It just seems off balance right now. Something in black would be really nice!

Wow, thank you all for the really helpful suggestions.
I will keep working on it!

monika1 - I had to laugh at "looks like you just didn't want to throw out the piece, and couldn't think of a better use for it" - you are very perceptive! It's also really heavy. May move it out to the balcony as a ledge for plants, or maybe use it as a mantel again, or maybe just toss it. But right now I'm too lazy to deal with it! Also, see my post above (nancy=nankie) where I mentioned I just chiseled/peeled off the sheets of fake brick, leaving only the drywall - and it does look somewhat unprofessional.
The mirror was a $50 purchase from Cost Plus and I was disappointed when I got it home to see how small it looked. Will keep looking for a larger one.

Since the photo, I just purchased an orange shag area rug online. I can't decide if I like it or not. I haven't done too well with online purchases. But I can see where area rugs will help the room. All in time....

Thanks again for the help!