April 21, 2010

Weirdo Fireplace

I have a design dilemma.
My house was built in 1950 and it has some charming and some quirky things about it.
This off center weirdo fireplace is on the quirky side of things.

When we first moved in, it was covered with drywall.
Down came the drywall and we discovered the weirdo fireplace.
Don't get me wrong. I love the weirdo fireplace.
I'm just not sure what to do with it.
The architecture of it is so strange and I can't help but think it has some real cool potential.
So, I painted it and added a few things to the mantle but...
months later, I'm still staring at it trying to find my inspiration.
I'm stumped.
Linking up to Decorating Dilemmas at
Serenity Now
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Thanks for all your suggestions. 
I'm adding some of the photos you linked so everyone can see these ideas.  I love all this great feedback.
This idea comes from my new friend Kristi @ The Speckled Dog.  I really like this idea of the horizontal wood panels.  Maybe I could do the fireplace floor to ceiling like this...hmmmm.  Thanks Kristi.

This idea is from Anna of The Owl and the Phoenix
Covering the fireplace in stone with a big chunky mantle makes sense.  It would really anchor the room.
The idea to use board and batten details comes from Jen of Tatertots and Jello
I like the way this would add some detailing to the fireplace.

This picture comes from Amy (my sister-in-law and Peppertowne partner in crime).  Isn't she sweet to actually photoshop my picture with her idea!!  She's a talented girl.  Thanks Amy!

19 comments:

  1. If it were me? I would paint it the same color as the wall so it would blend right in. Then I'd drywall the old fireplace "hole" over so it was a smooth finish, then I'd hang some floating shelves where you have the mirror, and perhaps hang the mirror on the left (if it still matches the look you're going for today - otherwise, I'd paint it and still hang it), then I'd use the little nook on the right for a single wow item to minimize clutter.... I can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  2. [sorry - I meant to say "the little nook on the far left" - oops!]

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  3. Carrie, I really like that idea. I don't have a weirdo fireplace but that really makes sense.

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  4. Ditto what Carrie said. The gray color is pretty, but it just accentuates that odd spot. If it's all the same color it will blend better.

    Maybe you could spray paint that mirror frame black to make it pop on the wall more? Love Carrie's idea of a floating shelf. :)

    Thanks for linking up! Hope you're having fun "mingling." :)

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  5. What is that? Stone? I like this, but theirs is taller than yours. maybe the boards could run horizontally? That might not even go with your room. What kind of style are you doing in that room?

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  6. Oops, forgot to post the link:
    http://www.decodir.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Atherton-Residence-Interior-design-fireplace-550x366.jpg

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  7. I think it could be really cute! What if you installed some board and batten details. Thrifty Decor Chick has a tutorial on it today on her blog. But maybe a chunkier version than hers. I would paint all of it white and then put some big candles or stack wood inside the fireplace hole. I think it would add a lot of charm and visual interest.

    Just a thought! Can't wait to see what you do!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  8. I think there are a couple things you could do. If you want to bring attention to the fireplace portion, and not so much the architectural stuff on the left, I'd make close that little corner up to be even with the protruding part of the wall, paint that side the wall color and add a mantle to the fireplace.

    If you want to work with the whole unit as one, I like JenJen's idea of some board and batten work to highlight the lower portion. If you'd like to stay in a more 50's style, you could do dry stacked stone, like this: http://www.anticoelements.com/images/fireplace_alpi_sand.jpg

    I'd definitely hang a cool piece of art on the wall that is sticking out, then maybe put some floating shelves on the right side of that wall.

    Good luck - I look forward to seeing what you do!

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  9. I like Jen's idea of stacking something inside of it. I don't remember where I saw it, but some blog highlighted all the creative ways people utilize their fireplace. Stacked wood - with the cut side facing out, books stacked up ... candles with a big print behind it?
    I think if you want to accentuate the fireplace features, paint the left side of it (when looking at it) the same color of the wall. Then put a screen in front of it so that it says ... FIREPLACE!!!
    I'd also try and stand the mirror the other way, and put some tall candles or tall flowers on either side. That way you'd get a tall look and draw your eye up instead of just across. It would give you some other lines and maybe more depth.
    Oh ... I wanna come play. I love to re-arrange & decorate! And you've got something fun to play with!

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  10. If you leave the color as is, I'd hang some bold artwork in the empty drywall space to the left of your mirror.

    I think your 50's fireplace is funky cool!

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  11. Jeni I think what you have here is the fireplace is actually closed up the space you have to the right is where they put the wood...I think the real fireplace is actually closed off..I would close off the little nook on the right side with drywall make like a line of shelves from ceiling to floor and put your nicknaks and stuff on..keep me updated on what you are going to do..good luck...we have a 1950's ranch house also and they are so much fun to redo....hugs lynn

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  12. You've gotten some great suggestions so far! I was thinking that some black floating shelves on the blank part of the wall would help balance it out and be functional.

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  13. I like the board and batten too!

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  14. Haha! I have a weirdo fireplace too! Here's a great "fireplace redo" website that even offers an EBook on how to redo it yourself: http://www.homebedazzle.com/
    I love Candace Olson's designs for long fireplaces too--the one she covered with glass tile comes to mind it was stunning-- if you embrace the modern-ness of it there's a lot of cool stuff you can do. Good luck!

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  15. I like the idea to paint the square part one color and the tall portion the color of the walls. I think a tall armoire or shelf of some sort would look really nice in that tall spot.

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  16. I like the idea to paint the square part one color and the tall portion the color of the walls. I think a tall armoire or shelf of some sort would look really nice in that tall spot.

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  17. I LOVE the weirdo fireplace!!! And I love the horizontal wood paneling. I think that would look really nice.

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  18. wow-these are all great comments and ideas!! love how the last picture totally changes how the fireplace looks! good luck deciding and thanks for the suggestions for my foyer!

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  19. Teelady is spot on! I knew when I was looking at it that the flow patterns couldn't work for a fireplace on the right and a chimney on the left for proper updraft. Your "fireplace" is actually the woodbox. Do you know what kind of material is covering everything?

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