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!
Michael says
Yes, I like the white on the fireplace the best. With so much color and texture going on in the rooms around it, the white gives the eyes a rest. It IS the elephant in the room, so there is little use, at least to me, in trying to hide it or make it “blend in”. Besides, it has good lines, so why not let it shine?
Carol says
I agree with Pam and Kate that the fireplace should be painted the same creamy white as the other block wall. I would also leave the bricks natural and have the hearth color match the fireplace. A large piece of metal or wood artwork would be fabulous and go well with your period fabulous furnishings. If there wasn’t so much great wood in the room already, I would say “absolutely sheath that thing in mahogany”. Let the existing wood shine. You could borrow a Frank Lloyd Wright trick. I can’t see the mortar joints well enough, but you could do this if they are squared instead of a rounded concave. He smoothed the vertical joints even with the block and squared the mortar joints running horizontal. This made a block wall look like horizontal bands on concrete. Consult with a brick mason for an opinion. It looks very tailored and classic for a humble material. My father owned a masonry business and I scraped many mortar joints in late afternoon in exchange for ice cream. Children are so easy to please sometimes! I love all things masonry, including concrete blocks. ps. This may be very expensive in labor since the fireplace has already been painted. But a consultation is a consultation.
Kristy Hansen says
If you paint it more of the turquoise of your stove I will come help you paint it!
Really.
You can always paint it again if you end up not liking it 🙂
Kathy says
Are you in CO?
Kristy Hansen says
Yes! I don’t know if you saw my other message but I have pictures of your living room pinned on Pinterest from when your house was up for sale. I love the screen divider and I thought the fireplace was cool too! A friend sent me a link to the listing and said I should buy it but we weren’t looking to move just then but last September we moved to a 1960s house on the westside of town in Skyway.
I was so excited when I saw the picture on here because I knew that I remembered the house!
If you are on Pinterest check it out: http://www.pinterest.com/krispysoda/what-i-want-in-my-new-house/
Kathy says
I just followed you. We looked in Skyway and the Broadmoor.
Kristy Hansen says
Your house is so cool! Such great features. When my friend sent me the listing I was just aching I wanted it so bad!
We love Skyway. We previously lived near Memorial Park in a 1920s bungalow and we wanted to be on the westside in a 1950s-70 house. Our new house was built in 1964 is mostly unmolested except for a bad kitchen refacing. Projects to be done of course but right now I’m still recovering from the house sale and move!
Kathy says
I am in recovery as well and want to stay true the history of the house.
Andrea says
I second painting the blocks the same shade as the yellowish brick.
AH says
I’m curious what it would look like if the blocks were painted the same color as the brick work.
I’m also curious what it would look like if the blocks were painted their original gray color, which is maybe how it started out- “natural” concrete. to match the concrete hearth.
char says
mosaic tile it maybe?
Nathanael Kitchen says
Great ideas. I liked matching the other blocks but leaving the bricks natural. Really pulled the room together. Will be deciding on colors soon myself so I will definitely be sending ya’ll some pics!
Patty says
I think a fresh coat of paint will make the remaining unpainted bricks stand out like a sore thumb. Of course you can then paint them.
tammyCA says
Your house has terrific architectural features! I’m certainly not a designer but my immediate thought is yes, the expanse of blue is overpowering all the rest.
I’m liking what Kate did in the cream white and the large pretty watercolor abstract art work (really lovin’ that, myself) and then the “blue-green” dabs of color in upholstery and in tall vases/lamps. Your house seems made for large but eye-catching simple pieces.
I’m just thinking inspiration can be found in “peacocks” and the Asian aesthetic, since that is what I am envisioning..and I also spy some peacocks wandering in the plants 🙂 and those mcm colors, blue-green, tans, creams, persimmon
..like in this artwork: http://www.touchofclass.com/peacock-feather-canvas-wall-art-set-multi-warm-set-of-two/p/H979-001/
and what about stylized metal peacocks like this: http://www.touchofclass.com/resting-peacock-wall-art-black/p/Y702-001/
Oh, I love the color of your oven, too!
Kathy says
Thanks for the links. I like peacocks and Asian as well.
Kathy
Lisa Compo says
I really like the cream ideas that Pam and Kate mocked up. It pulls the other concrete wall into the room instead of looking so lonely over there. You could do two shades if you wanted, a warm cream on the back wall and two shades or so lighter on the center raised part–or vice versa. I would do the same to both rooms, though. I wouldn’t have the living room one color and the den another because it wraps around the corner it should be treated as one big thing (to me at least).
I would like to see how the starburst clock would look on the side wall of the fireplace between the rooms, that area could use a little interest.
I loved Denise’s idea about a large metal piece of art in the living room. It could be seagulls as she suggested, or abstract if you like that, or I like the idea of a branch of copper leaves that have turned that beautiful shade of blue/green when they oxidize. I like a simple metallic piece instead of artwork because then you can have pops of color in so many other areas, couch, pillows, throws etc…and change it frequently if you like.
The den, being a more casual room, could use a simple piece of wood to act as a mantle to hold family pictures, mementos, Christmas stockings, that sort of thing. Also, I would like to see how the dark built in shelves of the den would look with cream background while keeping the dark dividers. So much darkness on that wall sort of pulls your eye that way but being so dark it doesn’t really showcase your items there. If it’s original wood, don’t paint it, just put something in there to look like you painted it the cream color. Best of luck–be sure to send in the “after” pictures. 🙂
Kathy says
I am amazed at the simplicity of paint and artwork. I have been overthinking the monster. This is going to be a great weekend project. Kate and Pam thank you.
Lisa love the idea of painting the back of the shelves.
Kathy
pam kueber says
Oh! We’re so glad you like it!!!!
Kate says
You are very welcome Kathy! Let us know how the project turns out!
Lisa Compo says
Glad you like the shelf idea. Just don’t remember who the idea came from when you have to do all that tape work before you paint. LOL
I’d be tempted to do spray painted posterboard or fabric covered cardboard and slip them in the back of the shelves if you could get the measurements just precisely right and it doesn’t look sloppy. Painting all those little corners doesn’t sound very fun. Oh, and I forgot to say how much I really like your house, I got so busy with the creative ideas. It looks like the monster will be getting a make-over. 🙂