I have a large livingroom with one entire wall of brick, with a wood burning fireplace. The brick color is varied – 70’s style. I have a large, dark stained mantel over the fireplace, and have placed a tall bookcase on either side of the fireplace, but it just doesn’t pop. There is also a brick ledge (approx. 3 bricks deep) along the base of the entire wall. This is perfect height for low-level seating, but I’d have to move the bookcases. My couch and loveseat are brick red with dark wood trim. My room has a hardboard ceiling, similar to original hardwood flooring. I will be painting my walls a sage color. I really need some guidance on the brick wall. I don’t think whitewashing is the answer in my traditional livingroom. Without the bookcases, the wall is plain and flat, with the exception of the mantel. I’m open to ideas.

I’d like to build a mantel around my fireplace using trim. I’m not sure if just the part above the fireplace is called a mantel or the stuff around it, but I’m going to put trim on top and on the sides, whatever that is called. Anyway, I didn’t know if there are any guidelines for what types of materials you can use or how far it can be from the fireplace. It has an insert and brick facade around it. Oh, and also, how do you attach the mantel to the brick? I would assume that the lighter side pieces could be attached with liquid nails, but the top part would actually have to support some weight. Anyway, has anyone done this? I never use the fireplace, but I plan to sell and need it to be okay on a house for sale.

i want to put a tv above my fireplace , can i just extend my mantel

I purchased a fireplace kit from from fireplace mouldings, with Mantel pilasters, and surround frame I came with disk, but the disk doesn’t play on my computer. i need those instructions to assemble the kit. Thanks

Is there a specific kind of paint I need to use, minding the heat when the fireplace is in use? There’s about 10-12 inches of tile between the actual fireplace and the mantel, which sticks out less than an inch from the wall. I’ve got a can of Behr Kitchen and Bath paint and I wonder if I can use that unless someone has any suggestions? Thanks.

I am looking at removing the existing wooden fire place surround (not a mantel, but some decorative wood surrounding the fireplace), and the 70’s fireplace hearth, and replacing each with some nice slate tiles.

The slate would be attached to the wall, and to the floor. Is there anything I should know when attaching (slate) tiles to a wall? Do I need to remove any paint, or can I get an adhesive that will bond (PL Premium or regular mortar mix?).

How close should the grout lines be with slate? I know with marble you want them close, and with ceramic you can have some space.

How do you ensure the tiles don’t "slip" when attached to a vertical wall.

Sorry for the questions, but I do appreciate any suggestions and answers!

I don’t think its called a bin. Its usually rounded and on the mantel.

I’m not really sure what it’s called, but there’s tile surrounding the actual fireplace, under the mantel going down to the floor. The tile looks like a backsplash tile (6" x 6" white) that looks hand painted. It also looks like it was built like that from the factory. Does anyone know if someone built fireplaces like this for a direct insert…links please? I’m trying to change the whole thing to stone & am worried that removing the tile will hurt the fireplace, or can I just put plywood over the tile & move forward with redoing the fireplace. This tile feels like it’s on there pretty solid. Any ideas on how I can remove it without causing any damage?
I didn’t really go to too much detail about the plywood over it, but that would be a base. There would be builders felt, metal lath, scratch coat, mortar & Stone on top of the plywood.

We moved into a townhome with one of those 80’s style cobblestone fireplaces. The fireplace is in a corner next to the stairs and the stone surround goes from floor to ceiling. It looks very out of date with our modern furniture. I would like to remodel it but we have a very small budget. Could I do something like paint it white and add a nice mantel or something? I don’t want to mess it up since we will be selling in a couple years.

In my family room, I have the following:
Light chocolate colored couches, dark brown ottoman & side table, light blue/aqua green carpet. Black plasma tv with black wood stand. Have oak moldings everywhere (yuck)
My gas fireplace insert is black with beige 6×6 teracotta around it. What color mantel should I go with? Dare I go with a black mantel?