Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Another Look at Our Fireplace Options...

Thanks so much for the great response yesterday to our Fireplace Dilemma! It's good to know we're not the only ones wanting to seriously overhaul our '70's faux lava rock monstrosity, and nice to hear that many others agree on giving our beast a facelift if they were in our shoes.

I also got a few suggestions from readers asking me to draw out the possible fireplace in Photoshop before getting our hands dirty and going with a full-out commitment to it. So why not?

Of course Photoshop can only do so much, but I think it gives a good idea of what the end result would resemble. Honestly, the white-plaster-painted Photoshop rendering, along with all the wood ceiling beams and mantel beam, reminds me of something I'd find in a Pottery Barn magazine.

Or maybe I'm just flattering myself.

But seriously - thoughts, anyone? Does seeing this change your opinion that you previously had? Would you still try to paint or plaster it, or just rip it out completely? We'd really love to hear what you think!


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12 comments:

  1. I didn't comment yesterday (sorry!) but I think this just reaffirms what I thought when I read the post - I think the white-plaster-painted option is the way to go. It's so unique and interesting - people will be drawn to look at your fireplace and in a good way! Not because it stands out against your nice decor, but because it fits with it and is almost art on its own. I hope you go for it!!!

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  2. white-plaster-painted option all the way!!

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  3. after seeing the photoshop thing I just really question having so much white in the room. What if you changed the color of the stone--softened it up and such sort of like this:
    http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2010/08/painting-brick-fireplace-from-white-to.html

    just an idea.

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  4. I like the plaster option, but I still think you should be careful about going bright white. Softer white may be better, which is probably what the plaster color will be anyway. Good luck!

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  5. I just realized you also have faux ceiling beams just like we do. I see a pattern...

    It looks like the plastered rendering might work best!

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  6. Thanks for all the comments, guys!

    @Alison & Sarah - Yes, you guys are certainly right - we would have to be super-careful not to paint it too bright. All of the white paint throughout the rest of the house (kitchen cabinets, molding, doors, wainscotting) is painted Ultra Pure White - the whitest white ever. I love it in the rest of the house, but the fireplace will definitely need a different color of white, I'm thinking a warmer one. Perhaps we'll take a cue from the kids at YoungHouseLove and mix it up with some different tones of white, like they did in their den. We shall see!

    Thanks for stopping by!
    ~Chelsea

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  7. Your photoshop skills look like their on par with mine, haha! I think you should go for it. I agree with your comment as to choosing a bit of a dulled down white, it's so hard to pick a white. A white I've used to paint some furniture and *loved* is Valspar's Quail Egg. Good luck!

    Also, I'm hosting a "Help Me Wednesday" party tomorrow. I'd love if you stopped by and linked up either or both of your dilemma posts! ;)
    -Ann Marie

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  8. I agree with some of your followers on making sure that the shade of white you choose is warm, soft and natural. I would say that if using white on the rock, you want it to blend and flow with your surroundings, not stand out or make any big statement. Also, a softer more muted white will pair nicely with the wood of the mantle and ceiling beams. And like always, with paint color, if it looks bad, it's easy to remedy. Just be sure you want to paint the rock-and maybe try the color(s) you choose on side rocks to see if you like it; that it looks good next to the color of your walls and the mantle. That way, if it doesn't, the clean up will not be on a crucial focal area. Can't wait to see what you decide on and how it will look.

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  9. I don't know, I like the stone. They do make concrete and stone stain, maybe try to do something with the stone first?

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  10. Please update us on your fireplace decision. I too am considering painting the 1970s lava rock that is in three - yes, THREE (one outdoor, two indoor) - locations in the house we just bought. Here is a photo of a painted lava rock that I think looks great. It's a small amount of rock, relatively speaking.
    http://www.lonnymag.com/issues/19-trad-home/pages/1?sssdmh=dm17.519385&esrc=nwtrad041411&email=2277348968&fs=1#p72

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  11. What did you end up doing with this? We have a HUGE lava rock fireplace. I worry about painting it because of all the crevices and was considering building a false wall around it since it's situated in a corner, jutting out but would love to see what you did!

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  12. There are faux stone panels that you could apply over the stone, if you plastered over the stone first. The faux stone has some very modern/cool textures that look good. They also have faux ceiling beams on that site, http://www.owtraditions.com, look just like yours! Their gallery may have ideas for your room.

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