Uploader now closed, thanks for all the photos, everyone! When Peter asked for ideas about decorating the beautiful stone fireplace in his 1957 house, we promised to power up the uploader so that readers could show how they have decorated their fireplaces. Above: A lovely, glowy fireplace perfectly punctuated by a mysterious, smallish, painting — contributed by reader sugarshellandbutterknife when we had our 306 reader living rooms uploader. And oh my, what a coincinkydink: A story in the UK — just Sunday! thanks for the tip, Gavin! — about the background of this famous 1950s painting by Vladimir Tretchikoff: “Chinese Girl”, popularly known as “Green Lady”. So: Get snap happy — light up fire, get some glamor shots — and share them here — it’s easy –>
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Diane in CO says
m + t — with the 1950’s ranch…. how about painting the fireplace brick the soft green or the avocado from the map? I would paint that brick in a heartbeat. All else in the room is slick and clean and bright — and then the red brick seems a bit dreary. I love the map! Pick up a color from that print. (so easy to be a sideline critic, isn’t it?) Love your room!
Scott says
I just uploaded my version of Extreme Fireplace Decorating in my 1954 MCModest, otherwise known as three new walls. I’m just not a fireplace kind of guy and this was a truly sad, sad fireplace, unlike many of the stunning showpieces already uploaded. And my fireplace is not destroyed, it just tucked under some drywall for some future homeowner to discover.
As wild as it sounds, this gave me the freedom to arrange my furniture the way I wanted, not how the fireplace dictated, it brightened up the room considerably, and it gave me 5 more walls to decorate! 🙂
Krsity says
Copper Glasgow Style fireplace after George Walton – WOW! One of the coolest fireplaces I have ever seen – love the mirror above too – gorgeous!
Passerby says
Though not midcentury, I am absolutely in awe of the Art Nouveau copper repoussé work on one of these and its matching mirror above it. Stunningly beautiful fireplace! You made my day uploading this, lucky owner.
Tricia says
Love seeing everyone’s fireplaces. Great ideas here! ADORE the one in the 1957 ranch with the wood panels surrounding it! Just beautiful.
Liz says
I think you may be talking about my mantel and if so, I’m super flattered! The wood paneling was put up in the 70s and I think it is very pretty. We had our friend’s dad over one time and they made a comment about how we could take it down easily enough (I think he must have hated it). We had to kindly explain to him that we actually loved it and planned to keep it that way. He seemed confused. 🙂
pam kueber says
Send ’em to this website! I should put my business cards online so you all can print them out to hand out to “confused” visitors!
Tricia says
We have a lot of wood paneling in our home, too. But it looks nice–it’s not cheap looking at all even though it is veneer. Most of my friends (who live in more mcmansion type of homes and don’t share my design aesthetic) actually love it, too! It fits the home and more and more people seem to get it these days.
Liz says
Pam–YES, printable business cards online would be great because there are a ton of pink bathrooms in my neighborhood that NEED to be saved. These people really don’t know what they have! I moved into an awesome area with tons of cool ranch houses but it seems most of the people I talk to don’t really love their house in the way I think they should, haha. I sure hope that changes someday! 🙂
Tricia–I totally just realized that I’m a recent follower to your blog! Your home is soo awesome and your wood paneling rocks. Our whole basement is wood paneled too…but it isn’t the nice quality stuff that is upstairs (more of that 70s knotty pine look). Upstairs in my house is where I do more serious MCM and downstairs is more kitschy MCM. I really love both styles so it is very fun to have room to play with both!
Tricia says
Oh wow Liz-thanks for following my blog! Our house sounds similar-more kitschy in the basement. Upstairs is is more serious MCM, too. Funny thing is that friends love our basement–the kitsch makes people happy!
Eartha Kitsch says
I love all of these rooms (there is just something about a fireplace!) but Robert’s with the panther over the fireplace is completely rocking my world.
Eartha Kitsch says
p.s. I love the furniture, fireplace and lighting placement in Janice’s room. Stunning and cozy.
Janice says
Thank you Eartha! I’m embarrased now that I put up such a poor quality picture. I just happen to have this one on my cell phone, It’s reassuring to hear from fellow mid-century lovers that I’m on the right track.
Robert says
Thank you for the complement Eartha. That panther is and will always be one of my best thrifting finds.
Janice says
I thought I posted my picture but am not seeing it. Pam, is there a waiting period before it appears?
pam kueber says
I must “set the photos free”. I go in now and then.
Janice says
Gotcha – I see it now. 🙂
Sarah V @ Crafty Waffles says
Hi Pam,
I tried uploading a pic of our fireplace on Friday, but I guess it didn’t “take” 🙁
pam kueber says
They’re all “in” — check again!
Annie B. says
I’m dying of fireplace envy. Roman brick, beautiful stone, starburst sculptures, handcrafted mantels, and Those Genie Bottles. Be still my heart.
Robin NV’s fireplace decor is what I had in mind for Peter’s home: no mantel and a single, profound statement over the firebox.
Robin, NV says
Gosh thanks Annie. After seeing everyone else’s photos I was thinking mine is pretty plain. I’ve gone back and forth over adding a mantel but I can’t help but think it would look wrong somehow. Sure would be nice to have a place to put knick knacks though.
Annie B. says
Don’t you change a thing!
Jamie D says
I just barely missed our mail carrier delivering the huge Elgin starburst clock and matching sconces that will finally highlight our boring fireplace. I can’t wait to remove the oddly-placed chandelier that’s in front of the fireplace right now – it’s at prime head-whacking height and needs to go ASAP. I don’t know what the previous owner (or builder?) was thinking, hanging a chandelier from a 7 ft. ceiling.
This clock is going to look sooooooo cool.
Robin, NV says
Your post made me laugh! I often see photos of other people’s houses and think “what the heck were you thinking?” Not that my house is going to be featured in Architectural Digest any time soon (hence the super tight shot of my fireplace). Maybe you could get your clock and sconces installed before Pam takes down the uploader?
Robin, NV says
I was glad to see how many others have wood panelling surrounding their fireplace. I’m in good company! I love my panelling and wouldn’t ever take it down. I’m intrigued by the room with the parquet-like paneling on the wall. Very cool! And parquet is another great Scrabble word.
Wayne in Colorado says
Robin, when I bought my place several of my friends asked when I would replace the paneling around the fireplace. I told them “Never”. Those same friends are glad I didn’t take their advice!
Robin, NV says
Never, ever, ever. The kneejerk reaction is “paneling is dated and icky.” It’s not, especially when it’s good quality. I’m so tired of seeing new houses with taupe, greige, or khaki walls.
Angela UT says
Moving in to home with parquet paneling (love that word…thanks) in 2 weeks. Any design suggestions would be appreciated!
Robin, NV says
I didn’t appreciate my paneling at first but now I love it. So warm and pretty. Let your house grow on you before you change it. It’s taken a couple of years for me to “hear” what my house wants.