What's the best way to decorate or make a brick fireplace stand out?

Question

I just bought a home with a pretty simple brick fireplace in the living room. It's painted white with an oak mantle, and the glass that covers it, is gold colored. I really don't like the way it looks but i just don't have a clue how to dress it up appropriately. I've been watching HGTV and stuff but i'm clueless what look i'm going for. I'm also going to purchase a large screen LCD TV and set it on top of the mantle. Is this ok? Someone please help. Thanks guys!

Answer 1

First of all congratulations on your new home, it is always exciting to accessorise your new house!Regarding your fireplace ,there is always plenty of choices out there, you can put a clock in the middle and some picture frames that match with color (gold or white), regarding your TV, if your house is more of a modern style i would go for it an d place it on top the fireplace, but if its more of country or antique, i would put a picture on top of fireplace instead. Any ways its not easy to give an advice without seeing the room. I'm a staging and interior redesign specialist, if you want a better advice , you can send me a pic, my e-mail is my yahoo id ,be happy to help.Good luck!

Answer 2

Decorate Brick Fireplace

Answer 3

I would remove the paint - find out from an expert online or at the hardware store.
Paint the walls [ or at least the one around the fireplace ] a contrasting color to the brick, such as sage green, or dusty blue.
Add a large framed mirror [ brass would match the glass doors ].
Get two hurricane lamps [ glass over candles ], or a mantle clock, or a family piece or figure you like, for the mantle.
I don't think your TV would be good on the mantle - #1, weight;
#2, cords and cables; #3,how wide is the mantel, and how wide is the TV?
The BEST way is to build bookcases on both sides of the fireplace,and fill them up!

Answer 4

I think the TV on top would be too chaotic...too busy. You would have too many focal points on one wall. I suggest painting the wall in a different color than the rest of the room, of course something that goes with it. You could paint the wall red, and put a really cool eclectic mirror over the fireplace, or a picture that is black and white. If you can make an area in front of the fireplace it's own sitting area with 2 black armless cushioned chairs and a shiny black mirrored table, with a red black and white area rug.
Use the rest of the room as the living room...using your sofa as the separator between the 2 spaces. That way, you can have your cozy fireplace sitting area and your living room area with your tv and such...

That's just one suggestion...I have many many more (I can always give great ideas but can't use them myself...lol) I watch a lot of TLC and shows like trading spaces and surprise by design....you can get some color ideas at http://www.behr.com/behrx/workbook/index.jsp

(this website was given by another Yahooer for a question I asked..thanks Jessica B!!!)


Good luck

Answer 5

How ambitious are you? suggestion 1. Strip the paint and restore brick. Really makes it stand out. 2. Are you ever going to use fireplace? if you are having the tv there may be a problem, also what are you going to do with the cables? let them hang off mantle? Hummmmmm??

Answer 6

easiest i think would be to remove the glass doors and leave your FP open. use some elbow grease and clean the inside and the surround. you could replace the mantel.

i think the tv above the mantel is great. this way you have 2 focal points on one wall--makes the furniture arrangement so much easier.

Answer 7

I am in the same predicament. You can try a google image search and it will give you some neat pics. I am thinking about rocking mine with gray, white and black rocks.