Paint the fireplace brick?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by rusnak

That is some mid-century modern greatness. I would leave everything as is, including the clock. Especially the clock.

Winner!

[Ayles]

Lots of good ideas here and I do appreciate them all! There is some serious steam behind the movement to paint... but I am hoping the designer we have coming in next month will have some ideas on leaving it natural.

We do have a few authentic MCM furniture pieces (Kofod Larsen Z chair, Kofod Larsen recliner, and Grette Jalk coffee table). I could get rid of the recliner but I really like the z chair and the coffee table.

[70SATMan]

I wouldn't hesitate painting or whitewashing.. We just went through something similar. House was built in '60 with a 3/4 masonry wall, bricked with full foundation. It actually supports our ridge beams on the whole back side of the house (living room and dining room). The fireplace was built for either wood or gas, open to both rooms but, always over drafted when burning wood even with glass doors on the dining room side.







Was never a fan of the fake used brick look and we've lived with it for decades. Made the call to float and reface when we closed off the side to the dining room and installed an insert. Having said that, we re-introduced a MCM flavor back to the fireplace with dimensional stone and solid walnut mantle.





We're down to last 5% to finish the new living room and kitchen/dining. The new fireplace wall will get an accent color. Haven't chosen that yet.

[A930Rocket]

^^^ I like that. You did a good job.

[dad911]

Very nice 70SATMan. Let's see the rest of the kitchen. Looks like you opened it up.

[Ayles]

That looks pretty really nice!!! Great ideas to reduce the size/impact of the fireplace on the rooms.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by dad911

Very nice 70SATMan. Let's see the rest of the kitchen. Looks like you opened it up.

Thanks Gents, Yes, we opened her up good. I knew that above the drop ceiling of the kitchen, it was vaulted like the rest of the dining room and living room so, we gutted the whole kitchen/wash room space, rotated the kitchen to the East creating a full U shape with Island where the old washroom and dining area used to be.

Original Kitchen (washroom on the back side of that wall):



Opened up space (looking back from the old washroom area):



Started moving stuff back in over the weekend. Still have to get the range hood installed and install the new Reefer if that EVER comes in.

[island911]

Originally Posted by dad911

Very nice 70SATMan. ...

+3 (?)

Very nicely done. Ties in perfectly with the beam as well.
Looks like it was designed that way from the very beginning.

[john70t]

There are ways to divide a space;

-Vertically. The fireplace was very well made but is a big brick wall in the living room.

-Horizontal accents enhance the total room square footage. There isn't much interior floor space beyond that.

-Blend. Change the ugly clock and 1970s furniture.
Add a black threshold mantle division line to make the upper space larger.
Add black wrought iron pieces outside to make the total visible space bigger.
External = Extra Internal space waiting to be used.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by island911

+3 (?)

Very nicely done. Ties in perfectly with the beam as well.
Looks like it was designed that way from the very beginning.

Thanks Glenn! That was our hope.. My wife and I have done all of the design work ourselves.

The original ridge beams were old school glue-lams Eight 2x4s stacked.. Ugly as sin, LOL. The Mantle/Shelf/Waterfall was built on site by our crew and the same place that I sourced that lumber from built the box beams to cover the old ridges and my crew installed and finished them in place.

I had to promise to HIRE this time and not do any of the major work.. She wanted it done in a timely manner, LOL. I've done all of our remodel work for the last 30 years with the exception of the roof..

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by Ayles

,,, Great ideas to reduce the size/impact of the fireplace on the rooms.

That was high on the list of goals. I loved the Funk of the design, especially the fireplace open to both rooms but, the brick was oppressive. My wife wanted to get rid of the offset shelf that was part of the brick wall when it was refaced but, I stuck to my guns, kept telling her how cool the Mantle/Shelf design was going to turn out. Also, I didn't want to loose the sight lines between the living room and dining room.

Had to sacrifice the fireplace open to the dining room side because that wall is now the back drop for the dining table. Had grand ideas of a 3/4 wrap around gas insert but, holy crap! That would have costed me over half of what the cabinet build cost!

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by Ayles

We have a huge room dominating fireplace. The hearth has green slate tiles from the 50s. My wife is on a bit of a kick looking to refresh/update our kitchen and living room.

She wants to paint the fireplace white, but I am not sure its a great idea.

If it were me, I'd keep the lower third brick, add a mantle as suggested. Have the upper two thirds floated to create "wall". The brick is a great period, linear look. Much better than what we started with.

Having a bright wall to compliment the mortar will soften some of the starkness that I see. Reducing the sheer amount of 'brickiness' should cut down on the domination of the room, allows more room elements to compete.

(another idea edit): Though original, I'd also remove the hearth tile and replace it with solid stone hearth in another dark color, add just a bit of an overhang as well.. The many broken lines of the tile competes with the lines of the brick. Having long unbroken surfaces for the hearth would really accentuate the lines of the brick I think.

[look 171]

Here's what my interior designer will kick my ass into doing with your place. Keep the brick (I would suggest that too), add proper lighting and / or a skylight (now we are opening a can of worms, cha ching) and use art work along with the correct lighting to accent the fireplace. Done. It will change the entire look to that place.

[look 171]

I am sure you wife and my wife know each other. They know they are always right.

[Heel n Toe]

Join the 'MID CENTURY MODERN' Facebook group and post your photos and dilemma there.

Like here, you'll get a lot of interesting ideas and guidance.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by look 171

Here's what my interior designer will kick my ass into doing with your place. Keep the brick (I would suggest that too), add proper lighting and / or a skylight (now we are opening a can of worms, cha ching) and use art work along with the correct lighting to accent the fireplace. Done. It will change the entire look to that place.

The room definitely needs help with lighting, especially in the winter...

[David]

We painted our fireplace white and it really brightened the room. Of course there’s no going back.

We also removed the really cheap and cheesy mantle with a simple modern one hung on a French cleat.

[A930Rocket]

I want to paint it black.





I’ve been listening to the Rolling Stones today.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Ayles

The room definitely needs help with lighting, especially in the winter...

Lighting is my thing and I think it makes all the differences in the ambience of any living areas, both interior and exterior.

Do you have room or crawl space above the TnG ceiling? 3-4" recess lights are needed to bring attention to paintings. Spot lights are needed, not the home depot or ebay special that just throw light all over the room. I can't see the rest of the place, but lights is needed on the paintings. Narrow spot bulbs (or leds), and light will reflect off the paintings and the wall onto the floor making the area brighter then it seems without lighting directly coming off the ceiling onto one's head, too blinding. Same for the fireplace. Maybe a painting or two on there with spot lights on them but no wall wash and no light onto the firebox unless painting are not to be on the fireplace. Two spot light will be needed on neither side of the fireplace, right onto the decking or seating area. Light should be about 6-8" from that wall. Those will be the wall wash. Lighting is desperately needed in and around the fireplace area. It will make a huge improvement there. I am not sure how long or big is that area, but I can only assume there are no lights on that exterior anywhere. If its much larger then the photo shown, then maybe lights are needed on or near the windows.

[Starless]

We also painted the fireplace in the family room off white and like it very much. Like David said, it brightens the room and doesn't look so busy. I will admit that I was against painting it, but am very happy with the result.