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RemodelingDesign DilemmaFireplace
bonandlee

Fireplace Update Stalled Due to Indecision, Advice Needed

bonandlee
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

4 months, 100+ hours of online research viewing 10,000+ photos, trips to every tile store within 50mi add up to one thing... Analysis Paralysis!

We removed our nasty behemoth of a brick fireplace and though we have an updated style in mind, it's been difficult to visualize. My spouse is helpful (in telling me what he doesn't like) but ultimately, within reason, the decisions are mine. The main obstacle is that I change my mind (too?) often. Time for an intervention!


We are not looking to spend a fortune; this is an update rather than a remodel.


In my Ideabook here: Finalists - Fireplace Reno, I've listed ideas, pics of the old fireplace, drawings, inspiration photos, etc.


Lastly, we are capable DIYers with a full woodworking shop in the basement.

THANK YOU for any advice, it is truly appreciated.

BC


Design Must-haves:

Neutral tones

Budget <10k

Stone and wood mix

Plenty of display shelving

Oak Flooring, mid-tones to match existing.

Design Dilemmas:

- TV above or adjacent to the gas fireplace? Hubby says adjacent, I say above; neither is a deal-
breaker. We rarely light a fire, so high temps/TV is not an issue. TV height will also not be an issue
for us.

- Stacked stone... A full wall, 3/4 wall, or only @ fireplace?

Featured Answer
  • PRO
    COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
    3 years ago

    Since it appears that the original fireplace is a woodburner with gas logs installed, you need to keep a non-combustible hearth extension, You can cover up all of the exposed sheet metal on the fireplace, which will give you more of a low-slung, linear look like you show in your "after paint" photo, but anything that covers the face of the fireplace must be non-combustible. If that 's drywall I see on there, it needs to come off.


    Unless you have a specific purpose for shelves on that wall, get rid of them in your design. Let form follow function. The size, height and arrangement should be connected strongly to your purpose.


    Stone always looks better al the way up to the ceiling. I would only go somewhat wider than the fireplace to create a strong focal point. Unless you have a mid-centruy modern aesthetic you're working with, placing stone on the whole wall will make the texture less special,


    Since your fireplace is already raised off of the floor, I recommend against placing the TV over it, not because of the height of the TV, but because it will be an awkward fit. Come up with a side-by-side arrangement you both can live with.

    Comments (8)

    • cat_ky
      3 years ago

      I love the picture with the alaska gray. The one opposite it called sierra bluestone is pretty too. I think those two pictures are the best of any you have on there.

      bonandlee thanked cat_ky
    • bonandlee
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks, CoastRoad, for the advice. What do you think about this rendering from a 3D program that I had no idea how to use. Shelves are a must since I have many interesting artifacts to display. The actual length of the wall is a bit shorter but I couldn't figure out how to shrink it on the CAD program.

      Thanks again!

      BC


      Finalists - Fireplace Reno · More Info


    • PRO
      COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
      3 years ago

      That looks nice! What program did you use? Maybe I can import it and scale it.

      bonandlee thanked COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
    • bonandlee
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Wow, thanks for the help. So who is it I'm actually conversing with? :)


      Here is the URL to my (free) SketchUp acct. I made it public so hopefully, you'll have access. If not, give me a shout and I'll do some more research on how to do this.

      https://app.sketchup.com/app?hl=en#. 

      If you're able to make the changes, would you please "save as" a new sketch? It took me close to 8 hours, lots of frustration, and a few choice words to figure out how to do what I did!


      Again... thanks, you're awesome!

    • PRO
      COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
      3 years ago

      Hi - This is Tom Parks. I use SketchUp almost exclusively for design work. You can contact me directly at tom@coastroadonline.com . I'll need to follow up with you to verify some dimensions to scale it correctly, and I won't disturb your original drawing. I'll probably get to it sometime next week when I'm in the office.

    • bonandlee
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Tom, you are an amazing person to help out like this. I noticed that the link I posted above cannot be accessed when not logged in to my acct, even though I made it public?
      You’d know more about to handle this than I, so if you’d like to advise me (on that, as well)...!
      Enjoy the remaining wknd.

    • PRO
      COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
      3 years ago

      Yep. I get nothing. Can you download and email your drawing to me? Or share it from another cloud-based program like Dropbox or Google Drive?

      bonandlee thanked COASTROAD Hearth & Patio
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