apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

It seems to me that the problem is that the ceiling is too low. Ok, now fix that. But really, it all seems to be porportioned to a room with a higher ceiling. I'm wondering if there's a way to de-emphasize the low ceiliing with paint?

I think part of it as that the bookshelves go up too high. Maybe fill the lower shelves with stuff and leave the top shelves mostly empty?

Personally, I think that the shelves look odd because of the blank space underneath them and the way the wooden molding is sort of floating in the lower half of the wall. I think if there were something under both of them, and you added some molding at the top of the shelves or removed the bottom molding altogether, it would look better. I agree that the fireplace would look better with black instead of gold/brass.

Any chance to do a built out entertainment wall unit? Or a ready made ikea system?
Install frosted glass front doors to cover the shelves and build out the mantel?

I have a fireplace that looked just about the same, and I built out a new mantle and shelves for my entertainment systems.

I think that this space has great potential! I'm sure that, having ripped out the carpet, it already looks a lot better.

The bookshelves are awkward because of their size. They resemble windows. And having outlets below each one is strange, but could come in handy.

If I were you, I would get rid of the bookshelves altogether (fill them in) and paint the wall above the fireplace a darker color, preferably the same color that you end up painting the fireplace (or any mantle feature you replace it with). This way, the fireplace itself will be visually stronger, but you'll still have use of the walls to either side of the fireplace. I could see a couple of cozy chairs, lamps, a side table off to one side of the fireplace.

Good luck!

I think it's a little weird that they're in the middle of each wall ... in other words, can you expand them so that each set of bookshelves fills that whole wall? that would also help "expand" the low ceiling.

assuming the woodwork is "builder" quality rather than anything of high quality... I think the wood just pops out too much... I would paint out the baseboards and shelves, maybe the fireplace trim as well, but that might be ok.. Room will not seem as "choppy"

......just like the lyrics say from Cheryl Crows new CD....


..."make it go away..."

Paint it out - White.

or

all the same color as the the wall and shelves....

I think the problem is that your eye jumps all over the place. Nothing lines up. Check out this link and look at the first fireplace. See how the bookcases on the side line up with the mantel? It makes it all work together.

http://www.claysquared.com/fireplaces.htm

If you plan to stay with white walls I would paint the fireplace & surround all white so that they blend in and makes the height of the fireplace relative to the low ceiling less noticeable.

I agree with the callout that the bookshelves would be better filled in but if your budget won't allow for that, I would also paint the shelves and the baseboards white so that they don't stick out.

Alternatively you could hang a big piece of art so that it covers each bookshelf (or just one of them) and use as hidden storage.

I agree with some other posters that the scale of the room seems to be offset by the low ceiling. If you plan on keeping the bookshelves and not filling them in, I think it would look great to paint the oak moulding on the shelves white (or the same color as the wall) and paint the back of the built in an accent color. It's hard to tell the color of the fireplace from the picture, but if it's goldish I am sure it will look loads better painted, but if you do want to keep some oak it might look too harsh if it was black. I would personally paint all the oak, even around the fireplace.

Painting it all white would also help keep your eye from jumping all over the place. Here's a white fireplace surrounded by bookshelves...

http://www.craftsmenconstruction.com/images/Pics500pixelwide/1Pics500pixcelswide/p1170058.jpg

I agree with greenish, it's not so much the fireplace as the placement of everything along that wall. I think it would help if take out that wood trim on the bottom of the built-in shelves, and just paint the shelves white (or if you're planning on painting the room, paint it to match) so that the shelves seamlessly blend into the walls. Then the fireplace won't seem so awkward and like it's fighting for the spotlight. :)

I would put matching buildouts underneath each from the walls to the fireplace and incorporate molding (in the same color as the shelves or paint the whole thing another color) around the new pieces and the shelving insets to make it look like one whole custom built in wall unit.

The molding alone at the bottom of the shelves is odd in that they looks like window sills and compete with the mantle which should be the focus.

I think you're freaking out because the room is empty. Get the room up and running then see what still seems wrong. Plus, a room with stuff in it will give us better style clues.

And I've never been a fan of "wood colored" wood trim, so my bias lies there...

I think this entire wall could be absolutely beautiful with no tear out or major additions. But whatt is your style? Traditional? do you want to keep with a craftsman look? Do you like color? If you want some suggestions from me please let me know at goldieniner@yahoo.com. Or post here. Thanks!
Catherine

It's definitely that molding at the bottom of the shelves that's the most distracting! The way the molding outlines the fireplace makes it look lower and smaller. I like the idea of painting the wood white and painting the back of the shelves an accent colour. I would probably paint out the shelves in white, choose a subtle colour for the walls and trim the bookshelves in white moulding. Then I'd build out a nice new white mantle and top it with a grand mirror.

I agree with Patrick (t.o.o.). The room will look different and better once you put some stuff in there. Things like the outlet covers won't stand out so much. I think painting the trim to match the walls would be a good idea.

A bigger mantle might help, or painting the recessed area a contrasting color might enhance the look--it's hard to say when everything else is empty.

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions! To answer a few questions:

The trim is solid oak, original to the house, and matches the floors... which is the only reason it won't be painted white (my first inclination). In fact, that one little "feature" is giving me the hardest time! All of the doors, frames, floors, baseboards and the fireplace match. Too matchy-matchy, but I hesitate to paint that beautiful wood (plus, the boyfriend would kill me).

I was considering painting the wall above the fireplace and the insides of the shelves the same color (a light blue), but now I'm considering painting the shelves and the molding under them white instead.

My style is pretty modern (Eames, Saarinen, etc) and I like neutrals (taupe, gray, watery blue) with a splash of color here and there.

Thanks again for the comments! I'll update with better pics now that the floors are bare and refinished!

"I was considering painting the wall above the fireplace and the insides of the shelves the same color (a light blue), but now I'm considering painting the shelves and the molding under them white instead."

Your first impression of what to do was correct.

Painting the alcoves and shelves pale blue or green would be perfect for this space and would show off your books and collectables - then paint the trim and the walls the same shade of pale grey (semi-gloss for the trim, eggshell for the walls).

Once you fill the room with your colorful & modern furnishings, it will all make sense again.

Hi
If you are into such a modernist look,
you need to get over that wood preservation inclination you have.
So what if the mantle matches the floor.
A big thing not mentioned yet is the mantle line is approximately at the half-way point on your wall, visually slicing the room into a lower-ceiling look.
Good designers will try and draw any necessary lines at the 1/3 or 2/3 level. Never lowering a ceiling by drawing lines at 1/2.
So paint out the mantle to remove that 'line'.

The bookshelves look more like windows that got filled in.
Either expand their height and go for that 'bookshelves surrounding the fireplace' look or get rid of them altogether.
If you don't address these two key outstanding design flaws you will never be satisfied.
Then you can work on colors and other details.
Lucky you that you have a fireplace and some space to re-create.
Good luck.

Basically just an echo here... but I agree the molding would be best painted the color of the walls. A contrasting color above the fireplace would visually bring the eye upward and lift the ceiling. I would bet that just filling the space will alleviate any other major problems.

Hey Marisa,

Here's another idea if you want a modern look (which I think goes well with 50s houses) :

1. Eliminate the shelving on either side of the fireplace to have nice smooth walls.

2. Project the entire fireplace out to create a nice box all the way to the ceiling

3. Create a low ledge along the bottom of the entire wall.

4. Cover the fireplace box and ledge with a nice stone or brick or concrete for a bit of texture.

5. Paint the wall on either side a nice contrasting color. Add art like picture frames on the top and floating shelves the would be flush with the fireplace box on either side.

6. Add ceiling pot light near that wall.

7. Add some accessories.

Here's a quick rendering I did using your picture and the most basic drawing tool : paint brush :). It will give you a better idea of what I mean : http://m2jlstudio.com/Misc/fireplacesolution.jpg

Hope this helps :)

One more thing, I've seen this at the IDS08 show this year in Toronto. Made by Gluckstein Design, it's another option to put above a minimalist fireplace, kind of like plaster 3d art... :
http://www.m2jlstudio.com/images/20080225-12.jpg

If you really don't want to paint that wood, then consider painting the niche above the fireplace AND the space inside the bookshelves a grey that's almost exactly the same darkness as the wood, but all of the wall around that a very slightly lighter version of that same grey (right next to it on the same chip).

That way, you'll still have wood that BARELY pops out, and yet it won't look like you're trying to do "faux wood" on the non-wood parts and the grey will seem more modern, and the whole wall will look more epic, and yet pulled together, and the deeper places will seem deeper.

Personally, I really don't think white is the answer.

Mid-Century Modern stuff NOW may not seem to be all that wood-friendly architecture-wise, but back in the ACTUAL Mid-Century, it really kind of did. Didn't Darren Stevens on "Bewitched" and/or Donald Hollinger in "That Girl" have offices that were wood paneled in a very monolithic way?

Or you could do like P2 suggests and wait until you put your stuff in.

How about using long fabric panels to screen off the bookshelves...Ikea has many patterns, both neutral or dramatic depending on your style:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40122212
or higher end Marimekko:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=587&f=4440

Ohh, potential!

I would remove the shelves and the molding on the built-ins; that way, rather than using the built-ins as bookshelves, they become niches by which to showcase some substantial art or tall vases.

Paint the baseboards white so that your eyes don't immediately focus downward.

Regarding the fireplace, I would remove the molding (or paint it white), add a more substantial mantle, change out the fire place gate with something more modern (i.e., brushed stainless steel or nickel finish), and maybe even close off the area above the fireplace to make it flush with the rest of the wall since three niche areas may be a bit excessive.

Good luck!

Don't paint it all white! In a low-slung room like this you'll just exacerbate the shoe-box effect.

SFGail nailed the issue in the first comment: proportion. The fireplace is too wide/not tall enough and the up-and-down rhythm of the shallow rectangular alcoves does not help. Here's what I would do:

1. Paint the whole room a warm, rich tone so the wood and stone (?) fireplace surround don't stand out so much, if you are planning to keep those elements as they are.
2. Mirror the backs of the alcoves and replace the wood shelves with glass ones. Paint the sides inside the alcoves a darker shade of the wall colour to make them look deeper. Smoked or black mirrors are cool and would add more depth, but may be too dramatic for some. Display a few attractive ceramics or glass pieces on the shelves - but make sure the pieces have good scale and are not dinky tchotchkes.
3. Fill the space above the fireplace with one large unframed beveled mirror. Now you have three vertical areas defined by the mirrors.
4. Add an 8-ft track of low voltage spot lights about 2ft from the wall to further set the scene by directing the eye with light. Soffits would look better, but track is easy.
5. Finally, get some spiffy modern stainless fireplace doors and tools - the brass ones there now look a bit dowdy.

Two pictures to look at. Both are in the same article on BHG. In your picture, it's an empty room. So, yes, it does look odd to have bookshelves that stop where they do. But that room is set up for this type of furniture layout:
http://tinyurl.com/2mdbno

Sofa(s) and/or chairs facing each other, with lamps and reading material. It makes sense not to put ANYTHING open near the floor, as with the layout, you wouldn't be able to access those books.

Now, that may not be your style. And since you're on this site, the traditional style probably is NOT your style. But go back to page 2 of that article.

Oh yes. You do not NEED to have the typical sofa and pair of chairs lined up perfectly with the fireplace.

Instead, a pair of great chairs with sleek lines and a bright red color look GREAT with the white mantle and the new gray marble surround, as shown on page 2.

Get rid of the wood tone around the fireplace and at the base of the bookshelves.

Same site, different article. This is an image of a bedroom, I know that. I can see the bed for myself. But, I want you to look at that interesting shelf. Yes. You could do that.

Frame in your fireplace like the fireplace that has the gray marble, and also frame in the bookshelves like in the bedroom picture.

You could even use those colors in the bedroom image as your palette for the room. You probably have a favorite *SOMETHING*...a piece of art, a favorite shirt, certain textures, use that as your inspiration on what to put on your shelves.

I don't have the slightest idea what "Blenko Glass" is, but this person has a GREAT collection of it here:
http://www.mid-century-modern-art.com/retro-fifties-decor.html

And this is from earlier today that could be done in that recessed area:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/inspiration-mixed-glasses-and-vases-in-a-traybody-soul-april-2008--046365

The gray marble fireplace is also here:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/fireplaces_mantelbasics_10252002.xml&categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/DecoratingIdeas_Fireplaces.xml&page=5

Keep going to the Contemporary Fireplace on page 8, which is another idea. Paint the recessed wall portion a color the same as the wood surround or as the material (golden stone?).

They have bookshelves on each side too.

Lastly, the items you put over the fireplace or on the bookshelves do NOT have to be super expensive. The "art" happens to be 8 plates, solid color:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/1155926959596.xml&categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/DecoratingIdeas_Fireplaces.xml&page=3

And look at page 2 there. The images are from a book. That have been framed.

Oh, wait, I have GOT to show you this idea too, look at the bookshelves here:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/slideshow/slideShow.jsp?slideid=/templatedata/bhg/slideshow/data/1190931356566.xml

Yes, that's right. They took out the shelves. And put in picture ledges. I think that is an AWESOME idea.

You could take out the shelves altogether, and have an art display niche, perhaps even lighting it.

IKEA has lots of lights that would work. And, it could be something as simple as framing out those niches, maybe painting the background of the niche, then using the "frameless" frames. The painted niche will act as a image mat, and the frame around the niche will act as a frame.

Then you can do even nice looking PAPER (or fabric!) for that area, which you can change seasonally. Here are some things done with paper, and yes, that is paper on the walls as art: http://www.bhg.com/bhg/slideshow/slideShow.jsp?slideid=/templatedata/bhg/slideshow/data/1167932700126.xml

You should now have so many ideas swimming around in your mind that you'll be up late looking at other images and ideas in a VERY excited manner!

Oops, I left out the image of the bedroom with the framed niche. Sorry:
http://www.bhg.com/app/decoratinggallery/item.jsp?itemid=/templatedata/bhg/dg-room/data/1168543108929.xml

I love fireplaces. And yours has a lot of potential. the problem with the wall is the lack of depth. I would suggest painting the area directly above the fire place a different color. I would also recommend a different color for the part of the wall housing the two book cases. If you create some visual breaks the room will pop. another suggestion is to build some sort of a mantel and maybe lean a painting against it. Good luck with the project.

There's nothing wrong with it at all. It is Mid-Century. Don't paint the fire place or wood work. Just a good scrubbin'. It's great. The white walls is what's killing it, making everything pop. Don't know what you want to invest here but grasscloth wallpaper comes to mind. Consider mirroring the backs of the shelves. If grasscloth doesn't work, a warm paint texture treatment with similar colors would be nice as well. Remove the fireplace grate and replace. Below the shelves is screaming out for twin cabinets, maybe asian, with a lamp on each. Fill the shelves with your favorite stuff, mixed with books and it'll be great. Good Luck!

PS: forget about "ceiling white". Go with decorator white ceilings, BIG difference.

the nooks all over the place don't help. work on painting those, and also consider making a more substantial surround, and maybe even fill in the space above the fireplace, that just looks weird.

paint it all one color.