https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:27:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802650 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:51:06 +0000 pinkarmadillo 2802650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Oh gosh that last picture is awful with them jutting out! That never even crossed my mind. Ours will be pretty much exactly like the first photo you posted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802646 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:41:00 +0000 Anagram 2802646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>an example of one I don't like (where the fireplace is inset and the shelves jut out): </p> [attach=2976/18/p3se8c.600x399.fireplace-5.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802645 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 10:38:52 +0000 Anagram 2802645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkarmadillo: right now, is your fireplace built into a surround, or is it even with the wall? Like ones shelves are built, will the shelves jut out further than the fireplace or will they be even with the fireplace? There's something about shelves jutting out, while the fireplace is inset, that bothers me.</p> <p>If you fireplace already juts out now, then I think these might be good inspiration: </p> [attach=2976/18/p3se4t.600x600.fireplace4.jpg] [attach=2976/18/p3se4u.350x350.fireplace-shiplap.jpg] [attach=2976/18/p3se4v.600x400.fireplace-2.jpg] [attach=2976/18/p3se4w.600x380.fireplace1.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802624 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:41:29 +0000 pinkarmadillo 2802624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, everyone. After reading the comments I realized we really must do them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802614 Wed, 07 Feb 2018 08:34:56 +0000 futuremama 2802614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely do closed storage on the bottom. You can never have too many hiding places for STUFF! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802405 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:40:47 +0000 Dahlia 2802405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely have closed storage. It makes cleaning up for company so much easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802231 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 17:13:19 +0000 smuckers 2802231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this isn't around a fireplace, and you wouldn't have the top thin shelf, but I really like the looks of these built ins (I :heart: shelves for trinkets and pretties, but cabinets for like, yearbooks and ugly things)</p> <p><a href="https://www.younghouselove.com/2016/10/built-bookshelves-around-doorway/" rel="nofollow">https://www.younghouselove.com/2016/10/built-bookshelves-around-doorway/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802217 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 16:14:18 +0000 BadgerMom 2802217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t think it ever hurts to have move closed storage. So I’d put cabinets on the bottom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802215 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 16:08:28 +0000 snowjewelz 2802215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reminded of the first picture here -<br /> <a href="http://www.onelittlemomma.com/2017/07/remodel-mode.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.onelittlemomma.com/2017/07/remodel-mode.html</a></p> <p>I think I would want cabinets to hide messes in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802206 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:52:49 +0000 misolee 2802206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would put at least closed doors for the bottom shelving.<br /> Even in the last picture, I think it looks a little messy. My parents house is similar layout. They have open shelving except the bottom one and it has all sorts of trinkets and ends that's just easier to look at when it's closed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-decide-living-room-sheles#post-2802186 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:03:28 +0000 pinkarmadillo 2802186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been great at making decisions and sticking with them during this build but this is hanging me up. What would you choose to have flanking your fireplace? The first photos is my fireplace inspiration -- similar brick color, raw wood mantle, shiplap on top with our tv mounted above. So my husband votes for open shelving on both sides versus cabinetry on the bottom with a book case on top. Thoughts? Will I regret not installing the bottom cabinets? We have a ton of closet space and a large pantry for storage so that won't be an issue. </p> <p>The second photo is an idea of what the open shelves will look like. </p> [attach=6197/18/p3p12r.473x539.fplace.PNG] [attach=6197/18/p3p12t.480x600.fplace3.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2189788 Tue, 26 May 2015 16:20:03 +0000 blackbird 2189788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: we don't have wood paneling, but we white washed our brick fireplace and painted over the brass and now it looks awesome! I think we did a 1:3 ratio of paint to water </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2189782 Tue, 26 May 2015 16:11:25 +0000 MsMini 2189782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: I wish I had a pic with the brick wall before she white washed ... she did the floors dark after that and I think the natural brick actually looked really great with the painted panelling, the white-washed brightened the whole space though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2189590 Tue, 26 May 2015 14:02:04 +0000 Maysprout 2189590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'd paint the wall a light neutral color and replace the blinds with pretty colorful fabric. I like whitewashed bricks just to tone down the color. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2189121 Tue, 26 May 2015 09:07:36 +0000 .twist. 2189121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: haha I'm not sure I can live with that much history! ;) The kitchen looks a little better than that, but it's definitely going to be an adjustment from the more recent home we're living in now. My island will be gone. *sobs*. Anyway, the rose walls are the first to make their exit. :D </p> <p>@MsMini: Oh! I like that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188761 Mon, 25 May 2015 19:35:20 +0000 MsMini 2188761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Someone I know is doing a Reno on a similar styled house and has similar panel,ing, and a brick accent wall. This is how she did the panelling and I think it looks awesome (this is a progress pic I found)</p> <p>[attach=1297/15/noxlmw.450x600.image.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188745 Mon, 25 May 2015 19:22:20 +0000 honeybear 2188745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: I don't mean to crush your dreams! I think that you can totally make your space look good without spending a ton, I just don't think paint is the answer for that wall (I think it definitely is the solution to the rose colored ones, however!). Also, if your kitchen looks like that one and you want to redo it, cabinet refacing, wallpaper removal, a new chandelier, and/or a new countertop would go a long way to bringing it into the 21st century. But you know, there's nothing wrong with living with a bit of history, including the 80s. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188565 Mon, 25 May 2015 14:25:59 +0000 .twist. 2188565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@honeybear: omg. you're ruining my dreams. :P I'm not sure what the style of house is? I don't think it's contemporary, at least not as far as Google is telling me! It's got chunky wood bannister railings and bad carpet and bay windows and hmmm. looks kinda like this (is that contemporary?): </p> [attach=1438/15/nox7bb.600x450.phx80slighting2.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188553 Mon, 25 May 2015 13:52:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2188553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: yes we used a high heat spray paint. Wal mart had it. We actually use our fireplace so it was worth it. </p> <p>We didn't white wash because my husband felt our brick isn't that dated (kinda just brown/beige color) and thought the white wash would look too DIY if we didn't do it right. We had other updating projects that we focused on instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188543 Mon, 25 May 2015 13:39:55 +0000 honeybear 2188543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't paint the wood wall. It won't look like the links above because your house isn't the same style, from what I can tell. Your house dates from the late 70s/early 80s, and is mostly contemporary, yes? (I'm totally guessing based on the fireplace surround and the vaulted popcorn ceiling.) The linked photos are lovely, but those houses have a very different style. If I'm right about your house's style, whitewashed brick would also look really out of place. </p> <p>If you're set on painting the wood, I would go super modern (take a look at something like Dwell for some ideas). I'd scrape the ceiling and do a smooth finish there (which is $$$), replace the fireplace surround entirely with some sort of spare white tile (also $$$), and replace the vertical blinds and flooring. </p> <p>Your best bet is to find some inspiration photos of houses that you like that have a similar style to yours. In any case, I'd start by painting the regular walls first, and then consider whether you really want to paint the wood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188506 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:45:39 +0000 .twist. 2188506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@turkeylurkey: I have a linen white that I LOOOOVE, but I'm just not sure I'm ready for full white walls yet. haha It's such a scary thought. </p> <p>@Reese: No, but we might. Saturday it was a for sure thing, today it's not. There's been a few complications that are out of our control... So... maaaaybe? ahah. I just started getting excited about what we're going to do so I'm brainstorming! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188505 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:39:35 +0000 Reese 2188505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: Love it! Did you just move?</p> <p>I would definitely paint the wall and brick and the dusty rose lol.</p> <p>I would white wash or paint the brick and do the wood wall a medium to even dark gray. I don't think you need to retile at all. I updated the brass in our fireplaces and just used a high heat spray paint. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188503 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:37:03 +0000 turkeylurkey 2188503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My old house had the same style paneling. I painted it first which toned down the fireplace. I would start there and paint the walls another color. I like the look of the panels in a crisp white.<br /> Then after the painting is done tackle fireplace. I agree with previous poster tile over the brick. My aunt did this with a marble tile very pretty. I've also seen the faux rocks over the brick. Pretty too. Go on Pinterest and start clipping photos for inspiration </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188500 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:18:37 +0000 .twist. 2188500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Oh man, I will be updating the brass, too. Sooo dated. Why didn't you end up white washing?? :( </p> <p>ETA: did you get a temperature treated spray paint? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188498 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:18:08 +0000 .twist. 2188498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: Thanks! Getting rid of the rose walls would definitely be step #1! I think they are going to make the biggest impact on the wall. I'm just totally not sure what kind of neutral! Grey is kind of where my head was at. :D </p> <p>As for the fireplace, I feel pretty strongly about getting rid of the brick, but I think you're right, we definitely would need to wait and see what changes the wall colour makes! </p> <p>@avivoca: If I could make the wall look updated by changing the wall colour/fireplace, I promise I will leave the natural wood alone! :D :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188496 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:15:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2188496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: we updated our brass trim with spray paint and it went really well! </p> <p>We ended up deciding not to white wash :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188491 Mon, 25 May 2015 12:08:02 +0000 avivoca 2188491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love that wood wall! If anything, I would strip it down and seal it in its natural color. Before you did that, I'd recommend painting the wall first to see how that changes the look and feel of the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188473 Mon, 25 May 2015 11:50:15 +0000 PurplePeony 2188473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE the wood. If I were you, I wouldn't do anything to it until you get rid of the rose-colored paint and see how it looks then. I'd do a medium-hued warm gray on the walls and get some black grout stain to get rid of the lighter grout lines in the hearth until you can update it. Maybe paint the mantle to match the fireplace and set it apart from the rest of the wood? And I'm normally against painting brick (I had to strip an entire wall in our house...I'm actually still not totally finished...and it's been a PITA) but I'm not loving the brick on that fireplace so I'm on the fence about what I would do. At any rate, I would probably take the pieces one at a time -- wall and hearth, then mantle, then brick, then wood -- because the brick and wood are almost impossible to undo so you want to be REALLY sure before you paint them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188470 Mon, 25 May 2015 11:37:02 +0000 .twist. 2188470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meowkers: Oh yea! Those are beautiful. I would have never thought of doing something like that. Thanks! This was my inspiration for the fireplace, and I agree, the black hearth would have to go, but it would have to stay for a while until we had the money to replace the tile. </p> [attach=1438/15/nowzhq.426x600.fireplace.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/interior-decor-advice-paintfireplacewooden-wall#post-2188468 Mon, 25 May 2015 11:30:37 +0000 Meowkers 2188468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: In that case I'd pick a neutral for the regular walls and do the paneling in an accent color. I'd probably go with either a darker version of the neutral or a complementing color. And I'd change out the hearth so it matches the fireplace surround = white.</p> <p>some inspiration:<br /> <a href="https://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2013/04/11/cecc3c50296f.jpeg" rel="nofollow">https://cdn.decorpad.com/photos/2013/04/11/cecc3c50296f.jpeg</a> - my favorite although i would have painted the brick a neutral gray.</p> <p><a href="http://d3ka0sx7noujy3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/green-farmhouse-living-room.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://d3ka0sx7noujy3.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/green-farmhouse-living-room.jpg</a></p> <p><a href="http://rivista-cdn.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/July-2011/a%20MisC/Buck-DineRm.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://rivista-cdn.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/July-2011/a%20MisC/Buck-DineRm.jpg</a> </p>