Need help with where to place the TV.
We just bought this house and are converting to a more open floor plan with pretty traditional decorating. The dry walls on either side of the brick wall will be minimized. The center of the room is the center of the current brick wall. I would like to keep the fireplace and the hearth. Should we drywall the rest of the wall other than the fireplace and center TV? Help??
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There is nothing wrong with having two focal points in the room. Love to see the entire layout.
I agree with CMR Interiors regarding a solid matte black modern fireplace doors. A niche for firewood on the left wood(JK would) balance out the wall. However actually cutting brick after it is built sounds impossible or expensive. Purchasing a taller firewood stand to place front of that left nook area could have a similar effect.
Why is the chimney wall so wide? Is there another unit on the back side of it? Or is there a chimney in there from down in the basement? Because if it's just decorative then consider making the fireplace narrower and clad it in a different material. But you'd want to know what's IN that side of the hearth before removing anything.
Likewise, that hulking brick hearth, I'd think about removing it and replacing it with wood trim underneath and a stone slab as the hearth surface. It'll look much less imposing that way.
Don't just lipstick on the pig, look into removing some/all of the brick and go for a better look.
first, I would not place the TV on the hearth - leave the hearth as the focus of your room.
Do not paint the brick. It's earthy and very nice.
Do get rid of the gold/brass fireplace surround and ground it by painting it out with Rustoleum paint. If it still looks small, as O feel it does now, trim the box of the fireplace with a larger dark or black frame.
I like an idea expressed above of putting in a floating mantle. Nothing elaborate though. Paint it to match the fireplace box or white to match your shelving.
Whether you put in a mantle ir not, I would use the space available on the hearth for a collection of largely-framed, coordinating photographs (black and whites of random pics of family/friends - not posed family pictures though), or get sepia-toned prints of photographs printed of places you have been. Fame them yourself for cost purposes (Michael's have great mattes and a variety of frames that you can pick up 50% off with store coupons from signing up on-line or weekly flyers). That will make it warm and inviting, as a fireplace should be.
As for your TV, I like the idea that others have expressed about built-in shelving to the left of the fireplace. I think that would balance the current placement of the firplace. An inexpensive way to do this, would be to order from IKEA standard white bookshelves with adjustable heights for the shelving. Then frame the edge of the bookshelves using crown moulding, and paint it out, making it look like expensive built-ins. Use some of the space in the book shelving for an eye-height TV placement, and the rest for some nice (choose carefully) books, and some beautiful pieces of glass, wood, stone, or even tasteful souvenirs that echo the art work on the hearth. Don't overstock the shelves.
The hearth may still be heavy, so you will need substantial pieces of furniture and art work in the room to balance it.
The area to the right of the fireplace could certainly be built-ins as well, but a side table, lamp, cozy chair, and ottoman would make fir a nice reading area and do the trick.
What does the rest of the room look like? Is the entrance from a hallway or is it part of a great room? Are there windows?
-Build out the left side of the raised hearth with 2x4s and plywood. Cover with durock at same height and projection as brick. Hearth width will now match fireplace brick width.
-Cap newly sized hearth with slate/flagstone.
-Run HDMI and power cable to approximate TV location.
-Cap entire brick face with cut stone tile.
-Install rustic/distressed floating mantel across entire front leaving 4-6" reveal at either end. (I would not install corbels. Even small vertical elements can telegraph and visually magnify the fireplace offset.)
-Play around with TV location, either centered over fireplace opening or centered over mantel.
-Get a wrought iron log carrier to balance out the offset fireplace and match the finish on the new fireplace front.
Realize that per code you need 12-14" of clearance between fireplace and a horizontal projection. The hearth looks to be about 12" off the floor, plus probably 30" for the fireplace itself, plus the 12" clearance, plus the 4" mantel thickness. Puts the bottom of the TV at ~58-60".
Note that "ideal" viewing height is viewing position eye level, at the horizontal middle of the screen. This will not be a good height for primary TV watching/family movie night.
Good Luck and post pics of final results!
I like the idea of extending the hearth, makes extra sitting for gatherings, however add the built-ins first. Leave room for the flat screen within the built -ins. Put your Flat screen on a support that swivels out for viewing and is stored flat within the built ins when not in use.
Possibly extend the hearth across the front of the built ins incorporated as wood benches same height as the hearth for additional seating. Consider incorporating an elegant wood surround around the brick faced fireplace opening. Try to incorporate some wood storage and lighting.
For me, black painted built ins fades away but seems harsh, and white makes them jump out. A soft grey could be a nice compromise and blend with the brick more. Take some time to research, design and build. Good luck
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[houzz=Our top 20 favorite fireplaces]
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WRONG - that's the lazy way of doing things and means you've given up on where else to place the TV. Think outside the box, make the fireplace THE fireplace and the TV viewing the TV viewing - don't mix the two. The absolute worst thing is the mix them and make them both compete for attention as the focal point of the room..
When I want ambiance I want the Fireplace to be the star,
when I want to watch my favorite TV shows, or have girl movie night - well, the TV is the star - and
the rooms are designed to accommodate both moods.
Note: you'll never see a fireplace brochure showing a TV mounted over it, and vice-versa with a TV!
Built-ins are the answer - whether or not you paint or drywall the brick is your choice - I professionally love the brick but its not for everyone - it does boss the space around a bit, but nothing you can't make look amazing with the right focus.
The colour of the built-ins is also up for debate, as the cabinetry should tie-in with what you have going on in the rest of your home. Good Luck!
Being a cabinet maker, I am always in favor of the built-ins!
Unfortunately, the photo doesnt tell enough about the room to suggest anything other than what was requested by the original poster. For some, a TV over the fireplace is a non-negotiable.......you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink! :-)
In the interest of full disclosure, I learned the hard way. The painting currently over my rustic, stone raised hearth fireplace, with distressed, wormwood mantel, conveniently hides the electrical outlet and $1000 worth of structured wiring that I ran to my original television location. Oops.
I do love the idea of flanking the fireplace with bookcases on both sides. Then, the T.V. can be placed on one of the shelves. I would add a mantle, and change the insert. It can be glass, or a free-standing screen. Also, you did mention that for some unknown reason to us, that you will be cutting back the dimensions of the walls that are on either side of the fireplace. You should be more specific as to what you mean by this.
You do need to change the hearth to be the same length as the brick. It would be nice to change the material of the hearth to slabs of stone, concrete... in a neutral tone. It all depends on your budget, as to what you are willing to do. So many re-facing options are available, if budget permits...drywall, stone, slate, marble, granite, glass tiles, etc...Painting the brick is an option, but so much depends on your overall style. Adding beefier crown to the current brick would look much better, if you can only do a few minor things.
More information, and pictures of all 4 walls are necessary to give you the details you need to move forward.
And many have mentioned painting the fireplace doors with Matte Black Rustoleum paint. Getting those custom made is expensive and finding ones that already fit is difficult. Paint it is!
1. Flat Screens aren't built to be over the fireplace (can't take the heat long term) and you have a good chance of your expensive TV breaking.
2. It really hurts your neck to watch TV up that high when TV is over the fireplace. (in-laws regret it)
3. Yes to replacing or painting the 80s brass surround black.
4. If you change your mind about painted brick, its a BEAR to sand-blast off. BUT that is a weird 70s blob of brick. In your case paint or build around with built-ins. If your room needs the warmth of brick, keep it but I'm leaning towards no. If you choose to remove some brick you might find structural issues underneath that need to be dealt with. Get a carpenter or builder friend to take a look at it for you before you decide.
5. Figure out furniture lay-out for TV placement and before making expensive decisions. Do you have the budget for new furniture if you choose an option that doesn't work with what you have? If you watch a lot of TV, realistically the TV is as much a focal point as a fireplace. Then you should do what Norwood Architects sketched above which should work with most furniture.
6. You could go with Norwood's idea with the exposed brick and see if you like it. If you decide to paint it could be done later. This option might also be the least expensive. You need to figure out where cable components go.
7. Congrats on your new house and good luck!