Reader Kathy has an impressive mid-century modern house with oodles of amazing original features including a biomorphic wall screen, mahogany wall panels and clerestory windows. However, There is one feature that has been bothering her since the day she first moved in. The paint color of the large concrete block fireplace — she calls it “the big blue monster — is not jiving with the rest of her home’s decor. Now Kathy has asked for our help with ideas to tame this turquoise tyrant.
Dear Pam and Kate,
A good friend told me many years ago to live in your house for a while, and let it tell you what it needs. I have lived with it for nearly a year, and the same thing is bothering today as it did the day I first saw it. The big blue monster.
My design dilemma is my fireplace wall. It is a double-sided fireplace in the living room and den. It is painted turquoise block and is in need of new paint or something different.
It is the focal wall in the living room. The part I don’t like is the contrast of the blonde brick that matches nothing else.
There is blonde paneling on the short walls and the ceiling. Another block wall in the room is more interesting, with concrete caps placed between the blocks, and it is painted cream color.
There is also an eight-panel helix patterned wood screen and a wall of glass overlooking the patio. All other rooms in the house have mahogany panels and doors. I feel this accent is lacking in the living room. The fireplace wall is 15′ long x 9′ high, and the opening is 55″ wide x 33″ high.
My idea is to somehow incorporate mahogany either in shelves or panels and paint the block to more closely match the original double oven which is more blue green than the fireplace. The hearth may also look good clad in mahogany. Not sure how to blend the block and brick.
This is what people see when they stand in my entry and I feel it is not as attractive as other details in the room. Please help me tame the monster.
Readers — What paint colors or other design ideas would you suggest to make this fireplace fit in with the rest of the room?
Pam and Kate’s solution for the space:
For this Retro Design Dilemma, Pam and I jumped online together to ogle and talk — and together we came up with a solution we both agreed on:
As you can see from the Before & Afters above, we believe that in this room, the key to success may be: Harmonizing the color of Big Blue — paint it the same color as the other concrete blocks on the wall visible, above.
Here was our thinking:
- There are already many finishes in Kathy’s room: Light mahogany wood, dark mahogany wood, cream cinder block walls, black decorative screen [reminds us of breeze blocks only lighter], beige carpet, tan fireplace brick and blue fireplace block. They are all very pretty. But, hmmmm, adding yet another color to the mix — that blue — is giving us finish overload — our eyes don’t know where to rest.
- The architecture of the room is very graphic, and the space, very open. Any finishes you choose, or accents you add, must work within this graphic framework.
- All of the existing finishes are warm and organic feeling. The blue of the fireplace is really the only “cool” color in the space. Because of this, and because it takes up such a large area, it makes it stick out and feel out of place.
To solve for the issue: Simply paint the fireplace the same cream color as that back wall. Kathy can then use her desired accent color — a turquoise blue — in furnishings and accessories throughout the room. In fact, the color “pops” quite nicely … artistically … graphically … once you harmonize that big block fireplace.
Kathy’s idea of possibly covering some part of the fireplace with mahogany was also on the right track, we thought, since that would repeat the mahogany and help make the fireplace feel connected to the rest of the space. However, Pam and I both agree that there is already quite a bit of wood in the space — walls, beams, ceiling — and think the best — and surely, a way easier — bet would be to repaint the fireplace the same cream color as the other cinder block walls. This also will prevent the room from feeling too heavy with all of that wood.
In the mock up above, you’ll notice that we didn’t paint the cream colored bricks around the fireplace opening. We think that instead of painting the bricks, leaving them natural and then paint the ledge the same color as the brick. This will help make the area feel more grounded and part of the whole design. In general, we also like to avoid painting original brick.
Above: We tried painting the bricks that immediately surround the fireplace opening and the hearth ledge, too. We do not like this look as much as our ‘keep these natural’ board. Too … stark .. we like the warmness of the beige brick and ledge.
Two mockups of reader suggestions:
Quick-like, Kate mocked up to ideas from reader comments:
Use high quality paint — we suggest subscribing to Consumer Reports to access their independent tests
Pam wanted to note that when selecting paint for the fireplace, it is important to pick the very best quality paint that you can afford. You will also want a finish that is easy to clean. When painting, also ensure that the surface is prepped and paint applied using the best quality products and practices available — the surface of that fireplace is such an important element in the room, you want that paint and finish to be absolutely delicious. Good paint really can make a difference! This will help prevent headaches down the road — painting a fireplace is a big job. Pam suggests checking Consumer Reports for the paint quality testing. You will need to subscribe, but she thinks it could be worth it.
In addition to painting the fireplace and mantel, we suggest:
- Reupholster or replace the chairs flanking the TV and choosing a rich teal fabric. The room itself — walls, ceilings, flooring — needs to stay neutral to look cohesive. Add color in the furniture and accessories.
- Add the accent color in other accessories — such as in pillows, throws and artwork.
- Instead of having several small pieces of art on the fireplace, try one large painting or print. The art we used is a print called “Morning Fjord” available at Art.com, which picks up all of the colors in the room while the black frame mimics the room divider.
- Try not to have too many small accessories scattered around the space. The scale and style of this room dictate fewer, larger accessories. Instead, move the smaller accessories in the main living room to the built in shelf in the den, or make a colorful tablescapes that group items together.
- Think of the design of this room as a piece of modern art. The lines, textures and shapes speak for themselves without needing much additional decoration. The huge expanses of windows frame the “art” that is the world outside and work to bring the outside in.
We agreed that the same treatment should be applied to the opposite side of the fireplace in the den. Again, the fireplace is painted to be the same cream as the home’s other cinder block walls, leaving the beige brick and painting the ledge to match. Another framed print from Art.com — entitled “Plumb Forest Floor” — hangs above the fireplace in a mahogany frame that echoes the built-in shelving. Have lots of fun using that terrific built-in shelving to make art-scapes with your smaller collectibles!
When it comes to adding small pieces to the living room, sometimes a collection of similar small objects can read as a part of the bigger picture. And minimilist mid-century modern can get… ascetic feeling — we we believe in not taking it all too seriously and being sure to add some whimsy. Here we’ve illustrated that point by going a bit overboard on the scale of this Blenko Amber Glass Owl bookend from Etsy seller MoonshineAntiqueShop. We also liked these fun vintage Amber Glass Blenko Elephant bookends from Etsy seller ShootingCreek.And how about these Blenko Owl Amber Glass bookends from Etsy seller junk2funkbiz and a great Blenko Amber Glass lamp from Etsy seller HostaHillFarm. We like that these bookends are silly. We like that they are from a famous mid-century glassmaker. And we like their color — the amber glass works well in the space because its warm feel echoes the warmth of the wood, and the color contrasts nicely with the aqua, too found in the room. These Blenko pieces can get expensive – but put them on your birthday and holiday lists and in a few years, we guarantee you’ll have a collection!
Rebecca says
Fabulous. Totally fabulous. I think either the mock up by Pam & Kate or paint it to match the overhead beams. That would be dark, for sure, but whether that is a good or bad thing depends on your taste. The room feels so open that I think it could stand the deeper color. The dark overhead beams are a gorgeous color that is not far off of a dark brick color anyway, so it would not necessarily look over the top.
Or you could keep the beige look that Pam and Kate suggest, but paint the brick surround to match the overhead beams. Still not introducing another color, but pulling some of the warmth of the wood-tones down to eye level.
Any choice you make will be great. I can’t imagine that room looking anything less than amazing.
Beth says
Changing the paint for a short-term solution is fine.
But for the long-term, think about enhancing it as a major feature. I see either vertical planks that emphasize the height, such as your mahogany idea, or slate, stone or mcm tile facing applied to the fireplace. All of these would be authentic mcm finishes that would tie into the organic feel.
I agree with using color in art or large decorative objects to bring back the pop.
Jmassage58 says
I agree with stone cladding as a longer term solution as well. A natural textured/stacked look of natural slate – signature MCM! (lit from below!?) turns it into its own textural illuminated fixture. 🙂
Jmassage58 says
Seeing that you have some turquoise dotted around anyway and the fireplace wall appears so massive no matter what color you chose. I would try reducing the fireplace “visually” by leaving the turquoise only on the left where the fireplace wall actually steps back (the side that faces the entry. Since it steps back, try equally spaced shelving in the same wood tone that appears around the room and strategically placing spare groupings of interesting organically shaped light colored objects (ceramic vases, scultures, etc) then painting the main fireplace in a lt. midtone dove grey. Then, I’d either cover or frame the existing fireplace opening tiles by creating a chunky mantle of 8 x 8″ lumber stock (sanded, stained to coordinate with other large beams in the room) bringing the supports right to protruding base platform or cutting around it to continue the mantle supports to the floor.
Artwork: a contemporary textured abstract triptych (3 identically dark wood framed, tall portrait format, textured abstracts that pulls in your creams, greys, turquoise.
Michael says
I’d use something I saw once in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house–use painter’s canvas as a wall covering. The color would be off white, and it adds warmth and subtle texture to the walls. Of course it could be painted, too, and if I had to pick a color I’d go with something a little darker than celery green.
Rudy Hassen says
Wow, i’m so bad at deciding these things. The original color looks “so right” until i see the NEW color which is WAY MORE RIGHT! Terrific room!
pam kueber says
Thank you, Rudy! I love Kate’s mad skillz at photoshop, which enables us to eyeball these things. Even so, that said, it’s all on a computer — there is NO SUBSTITUTE for trying paint in a real room!
Kathy says
I will being trying paint and will submit the results. I too am a fan of the mad photoshop skills.
Kathy
Mary Elizabeth says
Love Pam and Kate’s heads-together solution, the one that doesn’t involve painting the brick liner, just the cement block area. The large art prints on each side are a great idea, although the one on the den side could be an abstract wall sculpture. Pops of turquoise throughout the room look very, very nice. Let us see the results when you are done! 🙂
pam kueber says
Thank you, Mary Elizabeth!
Robin, NV says
I agree with Mary Elizabeth – Kate and Pam’s solution is spot on. The “after” is just so right. I love that artwork too. I also like the idea of mixing classic artwork with mid mod architecture. I bought my husband a print of Hunters in the Snow by Breugel. It has some lovely hints of aqua in it that might work in this space too. For the den, how about a metal sculpture above the fireplace? A Jere or something similar.
pam kueber says
Yes, we chose modern art – but any era/style could work!
Kathy says
Love all the ideas. Thank you.
Kathy
Dana Nash says
Paint it white.
Margaret in Maine says
I am completely in love with your house……the screen is so fabulous.
I think that either all the materials “want” to stay in their natural state (the white of the textured block likely is pretty close to its natural color, stripping will confirm this, but could be quite a mess) and the fireplace wall could match) .
Or go all out and the concrete surfaces become a few bold planes of color amidst all the natural wood – maybe a tomatoey-red on one and an equally saturated teal on the other.
Luckily, paint is cheap and photoshop is also helpful.
Ann says
I think I would break it up a bit and make it not appear so large by not painting it all one color. It looks like where the firebox is juts out a little from where the clock is. Once a color is selected (I have no help on that, sorry), I would suggest getting the five color paint strip. I would paint the area that juts out the color that is second from bottom of the paint strip and the “background” parts of the fireplace (like where the clock is and the part set back on the other side) the color that is second from the top of the paint strip. Use the color contrast to emphasize the change in depth and help break up how large the block wall is.
Jennifer says
Either strip it down to bare concrete (which might be really, really hard and messy) or paint it the original concrete block color. I think it was meant to be unadorned with color.