[zephead]

I want to build a mantel shelf or surround here, i think the 3" on each side of the brick may not be enough for a surround. Any suggestions or ideas. I'd like to do something just not sure what this is what i had in mind

 

[yummy mummy]

Ok, so that curved top is annoying me......lol

You can build a mantle just like the one in the pic below and wrap is around to the wall, or you can do built ins on either side and incorporate the mantle.

You can for a modern type look and put limestone everywhere.

Go rustic and put in large stone.

Good luck. Would love to see how it turns out.

 

[zephead]

ya the curves annoy me too, the thing is its an old home with plaster walls and it would be a real pain to rip em out. i think i like the wrap around look as like the pic above. I guess i just wasnt sure if the smaller dimensional size of my fireplace would look good with a wrap around. also i will update with pics when finished.

 

[Blondesense]

A long time ago, when we first bought our house and I was talking to my sister about what I wanted to change, she said something I'll always remember. She said "Respect the house."
What that means is a ornate Victorian surround will look strange in a southwestern adobe home.

What style home do you have? I would try to stay with something appropriate to the style.

 

[zephead]

well the home is in Chicago. Its a typical Chicago bungalow. The decor in this room will lean more towards eastcoast cape codish, we will be wainscoting the walls.

 

[joecaption]

Smeone should be shot for painting that brick like that.

 

[zephead]

Totally agree joe, when we bought the home that awful yellow was painted in every room.

 

[joecaption]

What is that at the bottom of the wall there trying to use for a baseboard?

 

[ddawg16]

This is how we solved our problem.....and I bet our fireplace was uglier than yours....

before...

after....

Unless you can get rid of the arched brick around the opening....I think your options are limited....

 

[zephead]

Joe, the bottom of the wall is discolored because the baseboard was installed before the nasty yellow paint. D solid work man, that arch looks real slick with the new surround. I think Im going to build something as close to my initial reference picture

 

[oh'mike]

Just a suggestion to help with proportion----

Build a mock up using Styrofoam sheet goods---

Often what you think will look good--looks better after some adjusting--
I had to build and change my mock ups three times on the last fireplace surround I built--It took a few tries.

 

[zephead]

Mike, that's a really good idea. The main issue I've been having is not being able to visualize if a full surround would look appropriate with a smaller fire place. Thanks

 

[oh'mike]

Blue tape and styrofoam is better than wishing for something different----

Also start collecting pictures of styles that you like----
I once built a full bar and back bar from a snap shot of an antique side board that the customer liked---

 

[danpik]

What is that at the bottom of the wall there trying to use for a baseboard?

It looks to me like the baseboard is gone and the bare plaster is showing

 

[kaschmid3]

As long as its non combustible u can always pack it out and go straight just go from the ends and it will be covered in middle ( like a piece of cement board