Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Reader Question: My Fireplace

I've had a lot of comments/questions/requests about my old-school fireplace, as well as the art on it.

Most everyone who emails me, seems confused about what to do with their brick and raised-hearth situation. I just want to let you all know that I am confused with you. While I find fireplaces visually appealing, the amount of room mine takes up can be frustrating at times.

My fireplace at the moment:


My plans for the fireplace:
- Get rid of the brass. Once it's nice outside (and not raining), I'm spray painting that mofo black.
- For the shelves, I want to fill in the holes, paint it all white and then have a different color for the background. While I was debating green for awhile, I think a greige color would be best.

I will admit, at times I have considered painting the brick – but I can't bring myself to do it. I liked the brick better when the carpet was in, because of the contrast. Now, with the hardwood floors, it's just a lot of brown. Clearly, this is something I will not tackle unless I'm 100% for sure, and I don't know if I will ever reach that point.

As for the art on the fireplace, that's another Ashley original. I actually just put it up for the holidays, but then got lazy and never took it down. It's simple enough to make – paint the canvas white and then use painter's tape to create the squares. I actually made it in college after I got my tonsils out and was stuck in my apartment. I've done a color switcheroo since then, and the only original color left is yellow.

I hope that answers are the fireplace comments and requests. :)

5 comments:

  1. I have the same dilemma and dont want to paint my fireplace either, but I will spray paint the brass black. My mantel is brown and its sooo ugly. I just don't know what to do with it.

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  2. My mantle used to be brown as well:

    http://decoratingobsessed.blogspot.com/2009/11/mantle.html

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  3. Ashley,
    I just emailed you our fireplace picture

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  4. We spray painted our brass black as well! Just taped it off and then protected the surround in plastic and sprayed it inside. Much easier than taking it off completely and then reinstalling it... :)

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  5. Leslie – I like taking the lazy way out of things. I may have to do that. :)

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