Hello AT,
I have been looking for a way to hide the hideous tile-over of my fire place (pinkish-white, uneven tile squares) and haven't had much luck. I rent and have a land lady who is averse to paint, or other such fixes. I recently bought a mirror for my dining area that didn't really fit with the space. I happened to lean it against the fireplace while scoping out potential hang spots in the living room, and am considering leaving it (or a bigger one) there...
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
Link To All Good Questions
How about moving your television in front of it? It's not optimal by any means, but it would work.
Or how about a low and wide bookcase? That could be done with taste. In fact, much nicer idea than the tv.
I would say you're onto something with the mirror, but instead of a mirror, (which might be a bit odd for those sitting on the couch to be looking at themselves) I would suggest a piece of art that you like a lot and that you would be happy being the focal point of the room.
I'd empty everything off the mantel, the hearth, and the wall above, and then pick a piece of art that is large enough to cover as much of the tile as possible. Then add a set of three tallish items to the mantel that work with the art style, to balance the height of the art piece below it. Otherwise, I think the wall will look very bottom-heavy.
~Monica
Mirror works for me, but go large enough so that the frame covers all the tile and sort of looks like the edge of the fireplace opening. Keep your plants in front of it, and voila! Just looks like normal off-season fireplace filler.
When we had a mirror propped at floor level for a while (laziness, not design), no one freaked, but the cats loved looking at their reflections. Just make sure the angle doesn't reflect sun into the eyes of people sitting nearby.
Have you tried just covering just the tiles and still having the fireplace? You could maybe even try those mirror tiles you can get at places like IKEA - slap them up there with some of that heavy duty doubly sided foam tape (I actually think at IKEA they come with that stuff) If you stick it directly to the tile and not to the grout, it should be easy to scrap off with a razor blade or utility knife when you move again and have to take them down. If they were the wrong size mirrors aren't that hard to cut - most craft stores should sell the equipment, you can probably get everything you need for about $20.
Alternatively, you could find some great paper and cover cardboard or mattboard and do the same thing, or even get wood cut to the shape and stick that to the tiles too.
I just think it's a shame to lose the look of the fireplace, cause I love them!
Thumbs up, says I! A big mirror will do the job and look pretty cool, too.
Why not cut foamcore to the size and shape of the tile (so easy to do with an xacto) and cover it or paint it. You could then use double stick tape or even rounds of duct tape to attach it (easy to remove with goo gone when you're done) Fill the fireplace with something you love (even the tv with one of those fireplace dvds.)
You will get all the charm of a fireplace and have something you love to look at
p-
I suggest a folding screen - either mirrored or mdf with luscious wallpaper or fabric you like on it. With a screen, the mirror wouldn't be reflecting what's directly in front of it.
I have the same problem in my house - hideous surround tile. I'm going to replace it one day but have been considering painting the tiles with black blackboard paint for entertainment.
We like putting candles in there, so don't want to cover the opening.
If you do end up using a mirror over the fireplace opening, you could always lean a piece of art on the mantel and cover the built-in mirror.
OMG! GET THAT MIRROR OUT FROM IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE THIS INSTANT!
(sorry for the outburst jen, but i could tell NO ONE in this thread was willing to be candid)
Well, you COULD buy that masonite stuff that's indented to look like tile, which you see in cheap restaurant bathrooms, and cut out a section of that to cover EXACTLY where your real tiles area, and and then if you have more of the same white paint that's on your fireplace you could paint it to match that. THEN... just double-stick-tape that whole section to those tiles, so they could eventually be remove-able when you move.
I don't think the mirror in the fireplace is the answer, though. Seriously.
Thanks, everyone for your suggestions. I definitely have some good ideas to play around with!
Juniemon - my mom has been calling me that name every since I was a little girl!
I had the same problem except they were blue-ish. Covered them with shiny black Contac paper -- keeps the texture of tile (looks lacquered), you can get any color (almost), and it comes off when you move. Costs almost nothing. Just can't light a fire or it will melt!