apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

If you want to full-on cover a portion of the fireplace (particularly the tiles) I would purchase a canvas, or make one, the size of the space you want to cover and mount on it a photograph of your children, or paint it a solid color or something. This will cover the area you hate with out making it the elephant in the room with a corner tv unit kind of in front of the whole thing. You might also move the TV completely away from it, and instead place a sculpture or something in front of the canvas (if you go with a solid color) to give the space some interest. Think something like this: http://www.oberlin.edu/amam/Dine_CharcoalSelfPortrait.htm

I suggest some kind of screen, you know, the folding type. I would prefer one of the Japanese ones, but there are many options. Or cover the thing with a big mural of an attractive fireplace. I have a 60s fireplace, but we were able to paint it over to room color.

I think your fireplace is nice. the tile looks old (like your beams and woodwork). The metal doors are definitely 70s, though. Is it really a 70s building?

What is most unattractive is the way you're trying to hide the fireplace with the TV. I know you don't like the fireplace, but trust me, this arrangement is just making matters worse. Rearrange your furniture, and incorporate the fireplace into the arrangement. It will be much improved.

Are you allowed to paint the walls at all? If you painted the rest of the fireplace (not the tiles) a color closer to the tiles, they wouldn't stand out so much.

Sticking the TV in front of it doesn't work -- it just looks like you are trying to hide it.

It's not really all that bad looking of a fireplace. It's not "hideous." Part of the problem I think is the contrast between the white plaster, and the dark tile and molding at the top. That's unfortunate.

Perhaps paint the plaster on the fireplace itself a slightly darker color, so it won't look so contrasty?

OR, maybe an easier solution: remove the mirror, and the little gizmos and candle on the mantle that make it look even more like you are unhappy with the area, and instead put an attention-catching piece of art up there, that will draw attention away from the tile (although I don't think the tile looks so horrible, either). And put a nice largish vase full of flowers there, or a sculptural piece.

why not a large inexpensive bookcase with a back on it- seems like it would totally hide it. (you can easily add a back if it doesn't come with one. )

I understand that the TV was put there to cover up the fireplace as well as prevent the kids from banging on the screen. I know I saw a post somewhere (that I can't find now) where a family put in a whiteboard over a non-working fireplace. They are cheap and lightweight, so could probably be hung with temporary adhesives/hooks.

I like your fireplace -- and my initial is "S" so even that works for me!

But if not for you, I would make a decorative printout the size of the S tile, and attach it with double stick tape to disguise it. I would put some pillar candles in the fireplace,on a black metal fireplace rack if you can find one. Then if you want romance, you can light them without committing to an actual fire. (Saw some racks at Big Lots a few weeks ago...) Then put something like a big potted plant in front of the fireplace, since it's not fire burning season. This should deter the toddlers in a decorative way. Then organize your furniture to face the tv on the empty wall around the corner from the fireplace, and make THAT more of the focal point of the room, maybe adding some art to the tv wall.

I don't see the issue with the fireplace. Ditto on covering it up only accents it more.

I would suggest getting rid of the media center unit first and de-clutter the mantel.

Is that the only place the TV can go?

I successfully hid my fireplace in my last apartment. (tho' I rather like the tile on yours - ours was scratched black paint)

I purchased some thin foamboard, cut it to fit exactly over the front of the fireplace, and painted it to match the walls. I held it on w/ removable adhesive strips. If I did it again, I'd probably use thin plywood (now that I have a saw) and possibly frame it out - so it looks like a filled-in fireplace. Mind you, if you did that, you'd still need to acknowledge the fact that the architectural detail exists and arrange furniture accordingly.

Alternately, the people who took over said apartment draped the fireplace in fabric, from the mantel down, and then put cd/dvd shelves in front of it.

Hmm...I don't like the fireplace, but it's not so bad. It's one of things you get when renting. I would definitely move the TV and then do one of two things:

Either make the fireplace the focal point of the room with amazing artwork and accessories or don't. Make something else (on another wall, etc), the focal point. Then that would be the thing everyone notices instead of your fireplace.
I think the dark mirror doesn't help you at all. I think it needs lightening up, so maybe a white mirror with white accessories w/ a pop of one color. Heck, even twinkle lights might not be bad if it's the right fit for the room.

That's a SUPERMAN looking S!

What about sticking prettier tiles over the ugly ones and frame a mirror placed over the doors?

I like art work or folding screen ideas a lot, too.

Build an L-shaped box/screen that covers everything beneath the shelf - fireplace, tiles and wall. You can even build it around the shelf and make it rest on the shelf as part of the construction. It seems it doesn't have to be very deep, maybe just a frame and some thin MDF? Paint it the same colour as the other walls. The L-shape should make it stand on its own, and you can attach it a little better with temporary adhesive or a small nail if necessary. Now it should look almost like the other walls. If there is still a gap or visible difference between the short side of the box/screen and the back wall, then put a fluffy plant in that corner. Something interesting on the walls elsewhere in the room also helps to divert attention.

Finally, if you want to keep the TV-stand there, you should push it against the fake wall and center it. The more symmetric the less it stands out.

If you don't like the fireplace area, you could put padding/cotton batting over the glass doors (to protect the doors and your kids) and then hang ceiling to floor curtains over the space for a dramatic focal point. Then hang a really great picture in front of the whole thing.

Have a sheet of plywood cut to fit from the floor to just below the mantle moulding and use foam double stick tape to stick it to the tile. Then you can either paint the plywood, cover it in fabric, or finish it some other way that will complement your room (i covered a sheet of plywood with wood flooring, bolted it to the wall, and mounted my flatscreen on it). You can also resolve the exposed edge with either an aluminum 'L' strip of another piece of ply that covers the adjacent wall section.

I think it is a gorgeous fireplace that fits in nicely with the rest of the details int he house. (The TV unit, OTOH, is hideous.) Two suggestions:

1. Move your sofa in front of the fireplace. This will keep your kids from getting to it as well as hiding it.

2. Place the TV squarely in front of the fireplace, and flush against it. Replace the unit the TV is on with something a LOT thinner. Perhaps in a wood that matched the molding. That way, it will blend in a lot better and not look as obtrusive.

Your fireplace isn't ugly - but your furniture arrangement sure is.

The more folks try to pretend that certain immovable features like old fireplaces, clunky steam radiators and off-center windows don't exist the more they will irritate you - so embrace your weird windows, funky fireplaces and monogrammed tilework and make these features the focal point of your rooms as they were intended to be.

Try making up a fun/wacky story about who "S" was - maybe even name the place "S House" - these are the types of unique things that make our homes interesting to live in.

Get a couple of big posters mounted, then prop them in front of the fireplace. Put some framed photos on the mantle. It will become an art wall instead of an eyesore.

The fireplace is one of the few things in those pictures that isn't "hideous"...

How about big potted plants? They'd disguise the ugly fireplace and add some greenery to your space.

I love a good problem! Here's my list of different options.
1. Cut stone paterned contact paper in tile sizes and apply
2. create a false mantel w/ wood and/or tile to partially or completly cover tile,remove insert and fill firebox w/ split wood
3.Get lack ikea shelves, place two high centered above mantel, place another fully across for a"desk",cover wall & tile behind desk shelf in cork or chalk board
4. Get a large armoire, cut out back and slide over entire structure
5.paint fire place walls, get a small screen to cover most of tile and all of firebox(wire it to glass insert so it's childproof), hang tv above mantel

Get rid of the kids!
Just kidding.;)

Why hide it when you can use it!
I would love to have a fireplace like that. The tiles look craftsman style which goes with the wood beam think you've got going on. If I where you, I would look into furnishing the room with pieces that are craftsman style or some other style that is complimentary to the craftsman style. Make a nicer seating area over by the fireplace and don't try to hide it. Use the mantel to display things. GET RID OF THAT MIRROR!
I think the quickest and easiest way to deal with the awkwardness of the fireplace is to get the TV out of the way.

If you don't love the look of your fireplace, you can change it. In most cases, the inside of your fireplace is a sort of 'black hole' when not in use. Turns out someone has invented mosaic tile for the inside of the fireplace.
Check out www.ruthfrancesgreenberg.com for options on redesigning either the inside or the outside of your fireplace.
Best of luck
s

I think this could be a great place for a curtain. The ceiling already has molding that would be perfect for it. Then, you can hide some bookshelves or storage behind the couch while also hiding the fireplace.

Check out how updated retro this looks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8079293@N02/3369524368/

If you want do send some more shots, I can try out some other options for you at www.mochihome.com

Hmm, come to think of it, maybe you don't want a curtain with the kids. Although, I bet it would make a fun hiding place for them.

Go down to your local salvage yard and buy some old tongue-and-groove floorboards in roughly the same colour as the existing woodwork. Join the boards together and cut them so that they fit snuggly between the mantle and the floor (vertically would be easier than horizontally). If you continue it around the side of the chimney (on the left of the picture) and discreetly drive a couple of small nails into the underside of the mantle once you've put it in place, it'll be unobtrusive and almost impossible for your babies to pull it over.

It's cheap, simple, landlord-friendly and won't scream "Hey! I'm trying to hide the fireplace!"

Honestly...this is not that bad.

The 'S' is kind of charming, unlike the TV console. It's a little played out, but people are all about the monogramming lately (Anthropologie.com has devoted a whole section to it).

I agree with others that the tile isn't bad, but the contrast of it with the white is. If you could paint just the part around the fireplace a complementary shade, you'd be in business.

I also liked the leaned framed poster idea, but it could be hard to pull off...especially on carpet.

Move the TV and the mirror above it to some other location. Then get a framed print/poster/painting that is at least as wide as the fireplace and just a bit shorter than the mantle and lean it up against the fireplace. This covers up the fireplace without cluttering the area. You could also add some smaller items to the mantle

I'm going with other commenters to say that the section of the room you show in your photo is very "heavy," which will automatically draw the eye. I like the idea someone else had about taking away a lot of the knick-knacks and making the fireplace not something to be abhorred.