Hi! So I'm not much help with paint color, but wanted to share two things that we did which you might consider: first, we got a high-heat black spraypaint (Rustoleum from Home Depot) and painted the fireplace face plate (the brass part) black, which instantly updated our fireplaces for about $10; second, I did not care for our red brick fireplace, and hand-painted it to look like a different color of brick. Without priming, I hand painted each brick Benjamin Moore Eagle Rock, then sponged on a lighter grey (Willow Creek) and a darker grey (Ironhorse, I think). Later, I decided it needed some brown, so I sponged on a bit of watered down brown paint (can't remember the color). I took care not to get paint on the mortar. The whole project took about a day. It came out great and I get tons of complements. If you are at all hesitant about getting the "painted brick" look when you do it all in one color, I would consider tying this method first. 99% of people would not know that the brick had been painted. If you don't like the way it turns out, you can always go back to your original plan!

Hi, Our new home is nearing completion. We are looking for suggestions and ideas in decorating our living room and kitchen based on the plan attached. All walls in living room are double ceiling. 1) We plan to put our TV on wall B. We are open to wall mounting or getting a custom made cabinet there. 2) Fireplace has a nice mantle 3) Wall A is really big and tall. I am wondering what to put there. 4) Ceiling has 4 recessed lights 5) Windows on wall D faces East so there will be ample morning light. Windows are really huge. 3 at the bottom and 3 at the top. 6) Flooring is hand scraped hardwood in dark color Specifically it will help us if you can suggest - Wall Colors, faux finish ideas, art work, paintings, pictures ideas lighting ideas Blinds / shutters ideas - Is it advisavble to put blinds/shutters on the 3 top windows Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks

Either go with a darker shade for your woodwork or a lighter shade for the woodwork than the wall colors. I would use either the same color for all rooms or at least within the same color family. Each room will look different if you paint them all the same anyway due to light, time, of day and your furnishings. I like to choose the very lightest shade on a particular color spectrum. In other word a white with a hint of color. The ceilings do with a soft white or an off white. If you plan to place the TV above the fireplace a darker color will look good as an accent on that wall. If you have a narrow room try a darker color on the smallest wall to balance the size of the room. If your rooms are large try a very dark brown or navy or maroon as an accent wall. Have fun painting. Remember, if you don't like it, it's just paint and paint is cheap.

I would take away those top arches and have builtins either side of fireplace, have the tv placed on a shelf on the built in, like in the pics, you don't have to have it above the fireplace, if room is small it will feel like it's coming at you lol. Panel above fireplace and hang some artwork or a nice mirror. Quiet like the builtins with the back wall painted