apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Paint the interior a dark almost black charcoal color, and get a freestanding (or accordian fold) fireplace screen made to stop short of the opening on top and sides by a few inches will give you the most convincing appearance. Also consider a low wattage up light behind the screen.

I'd also paint the mantle a color off from your wall color.

I've also seen fake fireplaces painted with chalkboard paint, and a fire drawn in. Depends on your tolerance for whimsy.

Whose photograph is the great one over the mantle!????

Get a clue and come up with your own idea.

leadbelly: totally uncalled for here, as have been all of your comments today. Get a bridge, troll.

leadbelly, why are you reading this blog if you do not want to participate or offer constructive advice. Surely there are other forums for the ridiculous comments you choosing to post.

As for the fireplace, was there originally a working fireplace in its place? If so, I would open it up. You could put candles inside of it and add a screen. If not, then maybe you remove the mantle completely. I think tiling or mirroring the square beneath the mantle is just drawing attention to the fact that you do not really have a fireplace where there should be one. Good luck

Oops, I just read this post in its entirety (which I guess I should have done before I posted a comment) and realize I offered basically a lot of the same advice as Maxwell. Sorry!

There was a fireplace originally, but was sealed up with cinderblocks ages ago and then recently wallboarded over..too costly and involved to open it up again. I actually added the mantle, before it was just a blank wall that juts out from the rest of the wall about a foot (can't really see that in the photo) and I thought it looked so obviously like a closed up fireplace I might as well add the mantle and then at least have some focal point in the room.

I like the idea of chalkboard paint...might try that before I commit to the mirror tiles.

Chris Clinton is the photographer.

In my last apartment I had a fireplace closed off with ugly rose-tinted tiles. I'd just bought a large mirror for another room that ended up not working out, and to get it out of the way until I could return it, I leaned it against the fireplace. It happened to fit perfectly to cover the tiled-over opening, and the wood frame gave some definition to the space that was otherwise lacking. Something like that may work in your space.

Similarly, if you don't want to commit to the tiles, you could probably just have a piece of mirror cut to size. If it's thin enough you could even mount or velcro it in place so that it's easily removable if you get sick of it, or end up not liking the look.

there was a great Domino piece once where they actually put in a mantle and made a faux fireplace, and I loved the idea. Here it is:

http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/rooms/livingdining/livingroom/befores_afters?slide=3
Actually, on Domino's site, under Galleries and living rooms, they have a whole section on fireplaces, and much of it is about nonfunctioning ones...

I'd make it lovely and keep it--I think it's a great thing to have!

Thanks Donald!

I'd also paint the mantle the same color as the baseboards, or vice-versa.

I think that's where I got that idea, from Domino, and then couldn't remember where I saw it...thanks for adding that link Christine.

Put in a painting of a fire and firewood. or you can do the traditional layered candles in front.

If you want to have some fun, go to a place like Pagent and get a old newspaper print of a fire -- burning building, hundred year old fire trucks and all -- frame it and hang it inside the mantle.

Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel used to have a wall-mounted abstractly candelabra for tea lights -- which might work as well and not be quite so "arched eyebrow" as the other idea.

.....along with the theme of artificially recreating the fireplace "look"- how about photographing a friends fireplace, (or do a Google Search>"Flames in a Fireplace">images>download) with a roaring Fire logs andirons, etc...and having a Print Shop output a large print, on canvas, same size as opening - that you can "wallpaper" to the orifice.

Then, to go one step further-
add a Hand Forged fireplace screen- rePurposed from an old railing, gate, or Balcony.

Voila!

How about getting one of those wall scroll things with candles in them and mounting it in the area, visually interesting, and a little play on the 'fire' idea in fireplaces
Something like this; http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1435&f=8964 (obviously not as big) I've drawn a blank on where else I've seen it, but I know they are around, or you could mount some candle holders in the space.....

I have a wacky idea if you're a wacky sort of technically able person along the lines of what others have suggested--you could get one of those fireplace videos (I have one--or had one, not sure if I kept it). and embed a monitor in there...like I said, not easy, but different!

Nora, perhaps there is a website out there where you can ask people's advice on how to get a sense of humor.

Designerny, stop taking yourself so seriously.

In the 1950's, my grandmother and aunt had false mantels which they papered inside with something like this - http://www.secondhandrose.com/paperc/9.htm - but with more colors like this http://www.secondhandrose.com/paperc/1.htm .
I thought it was a design standard then but as I grew up I realize I have never seen that anywhere else.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, it's appreciated!

Oooh...I like Andrea's wallpaper idea. So many possibilities there. I can't help but think that a mirror installed so low on the wall will reflect only the lower half of your guests. Not everyone may be comfortable with that. :)

I'm thinking you should plaster the whole thing with shells and faux coral branches. Just a thought. Or maybe coffee beans.

I had the same situation at a former apartment.
I infilled opening - and set a hearth in front - with black smoked mirror I found. (someting from the 70's?) I then tiled over the edge of the mirror around the inside. It looked great esp. when I filled the hearth with white candles.