I need some help.
I bought these Ikea bookcases too long ago to return. I thought I wanted a wall-to-wall look--but it just isn't working for me.
Should I paint them brown/black?
Then, if I do that, should I paint the firplace "surround?"
I was thinking of putting the cases on a plinth and raising them--and putting one across each set of two so that there's one continuous "line" across the room--would that help?
What about the fake river rock? Should I paint that out too?
Those are our overlarge speakers in the "hole." I don't know where else to put them--but I could put up a fabric screen in front? or put a trailing ivy or philodendron on top?
ps: my room is 11 feet wide and 14 feet deep. The bookcases/firplace squares up the room a little!
pps: the kids videos and toys won't be there forever, either, lol! But we need it for now. :(
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May Mom get better real soon..hugs to you :)
Thanks to those who complimented the mock ups. I love doing them and wished I could afford to spend more time doing things lke that but for now it's playing and seeing how good an impression we can get in a short amount of time.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to catch up with all the posts after having a non fun filled weekend running back and forth to the hospital where my mom ended up having an unplanned but very eventful weekend taking advantage of their expertise and facilities.
that looks sooo much different, and as you said probably not overly complicated to do (still a lot of work but it's not like building a grand piano or a curved staircase lol) - really gives that arts and craft feeling
did you see the yellow (the part behind the screen) as some sort of tile product?
Red - yup that concrete board is heavy (much more than the firerated drywall... lots of mass which gives stability and makes it great for ceramic floor tiles... now that we know it's a dead non-functioning FP that will be replaced in a year or 3, I might be tempted to just remove the decorative stone-like product, then use one piece of MDF or ply for the whole front, the A&C wood detail can be applied to the MDF, same for a bit of tile around the firebox opening... just needs to be completely clear to visitors or prospective buyers that it ain't ready for a fire.... if it was a working FP, the concrete board has the advantage that it requires less framing behind, so could be tapconned directly to a concrete block fireplace structure if covering the whole thing in slate or other stone material...
I Love Colour - triple AACCKKK! ;) (Mars Attacks anyone?) - just noticed the "fireplace" in the title is in quotes and never really saw the speakers on this monitor ;) - the good thing about doing a gas insert later is that they need to be hooked up and inspected by pros, so less worries there about having non-code issues - I wouldn't do candles in there personally - even adding a metal liner, without an airspace behind it so that it can stay cool, could be a problem if something went wrong...
AuntLiz - thanks for posting the clearance requirements, can always come in handy some day (even though we now discovered all this firerating discussion is a moot point in this particular application lol)
Go on vacation with your family have fun enjoy your time together the painting will be there when you get back. Jasper what fun at this time of the year. For those that have never had the pleasure of driving from Banff to Jasper it is truly one of the great wonders of the world breath taking all the way.
wow that is a beautiful mock up....you are amazing with design
smiles
janetc
I would set about enacting this mock-up TODAY if I didn't have to take our vehicle in to be checked over so we can GO ON VACATION next week.
It's our annual trek to tent it out in Jasper for ten days/two weeks.
I tell ya, I just want to stay home, paint the kitchen, finish my living room curtains and DO THIS F/P THING!
So, if you don't "see" anything for a while....that's why.
But I'm wondering, this just might qualify for one of those H&H makeover projects contest thingys! :)
I love the look of those doors that dbunny came up with, and the fireplace surround - very nice indeed. I would love to see follow up pictures of the finished product too.
Now that is beautiful!
Stunning.
Amazing.
Yes, I think you should apply to H&H for some sort of honorarium, dbd.
And you know what else? I actually think I could DO this!
Hmmm--how many videos will I have to sell to get those doors to close, lol?
Fantastic.
I espescially love that screen too--did that come from somewhere?
Thank you, dbd. You are so GOOD!
I really like the mock-ups that Dustbunnydiva did with the cream doors! I also think that the faux rock needs to be covered up!
I was wondering if you could fit the speakers inside of your open shelves, one on each side? The shelves look a bit shallow but you could always pull them forward a bit and cut an opening in the back in order to accommodate the depth of your speakers.
Then you could add the cream doors but put speaker cloth inserts inside them....well, you have the flexibility of using many different fabrics really so you could have some fun!
want a job as chief renderer?
Excellent job! Love the design! Love that the whole thing is painted too!
To further clarify my comments - I should have said.... demo the stone and then apply the necessary under materials to get it ready for surround + mantle.
Paul - the concrete board is one heavy SOB... but you could still apply that to the face of the existing wall sans stone, and then tile on it - especially mosaic -it would keep the tile pretty straight - and then do the millwork overtop?
Okay, now you got me going....I know exactly what you are dealing with because I had the same thing (less rockish stuff) in my old house. Those fireplaces were built for gas inserts which you can't use anymore anyway without pretty much ripping the whole thing apart....so you gotta fake it. I had an old insert in mine that I loved and was strictly decorative, but really nice ones are hard to find.
I'd skip the candles as that can get real messy and can be a fire hazard anyway. Besides you need a place for your speakers right now. So, how about redoing the face of the fireplace to look like a proper one? I'll warn you, I saw mine just before they tore my house down and they are simple framed and plastered...nothing behind that facade at all. Anyway, after seeing how great a job has been done by people here with making wainscotting, this would be pretty easy especially since you like craftsman/mission era. Then get a nice screen and speakers are disguised. The other beauty is it would be very economical to do (although I really can't figure out your mantle or how that might work best with the side units).
Here's a mock up...oh yes, I changed the doors to make one door per unit with craftsman type trim (again, really easy for not much effort). See what you think.
aaack!
It is a non-working "dead" fireplace: thus the speakers in the "hole." But if you were checking this out quickly--that probably wasn't obvious! I'm sorry I'm so long-winded in my posts!
The future gas fireplace will have a ceramic or something completely "up to code" around it! But I am awfully glad you mentioned what the code is, Liz, it's good to know for future planning.
Since the thing is purely "cosmetic" I assume drywall or wallboard or even MDF would be fine on the front facade of the hole? With a fake skinny mantel? Made of whatever I want?
I mean, whatever was "proper" when it was functional has been replaced with stucco and this plastic or plaster "river rock" which I have sponge painted to look as realistic as possible. I also painted the back in a green "brick" pattern which I'm thinking of just painting white. (but not if I go the candle route)
Speaking of candles and code: since the whole thing is probably as flammable as, well, stucco and plastic, should I not put flashing on the top, at the very least? or throughout the "firebox" --would copper flashing be OK? --is there a code guideline for that?
Thank you so much everyone for taking your time to help me with this! You are a generous bunch!
I was trying to add that I managed to confuse myself in that reply - the word "over" is not in Red's post - but I think the two interpretations come from the last paragraph talking about covering the stone, without specifying drywall since it's higher in the post, then going on about MDF for the mantle... hopefully that makes as much sense on screen as it does in my head....
I was thinking fire-rated drywall, which is the thicker version (5/8" IIRC) you would use for, say, an attached garage or anywhere you need extra time, apartment buildings/commercial uses (it still burns eventually but buys you a bit longer) -
that "cement board"/concrete board (sometimes called Wonderboard) that's used for shower stalls and ceramic floor underlay, would be even more fire-retardant, but I don't think it allows a nice paint finish, however would be fine as a base for slate or tile-type material....
I did interpret "over" as having meant on top of the stone. I thought you meant to cover the stone with mdf. That's how it reads to me.
The minimum clearance for Medium Density Fibreboard on structural surface of fire burning appliances is 2 feet for wood burning and 1.75 feet on gas.
No matter. I wasn't disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing. It was just a question. I didn't mean to second guess you. I am sorry. Last thing I want to do is step on toes.
Good night.
I have used MDF mantles on TV where code is a MUST and have walked into Home Depot and bought them off the shelf - most new homes have them too!
The surround and fire box are mucho important - and have to be a fire-rated material. If you paint your surround, you are technically, according to code, supposed to use a high heat resistant paint.... think BBQ paint!
Stinky stuff actually!
Is the fire rated drywall as heavy as concrete board?
thx Red - actually I'm more familiar with the electrical code but I can probably find a building code reference online...
at any rate I re-read your post and you suggested MDF as an economical way to build up the mantle, not the surround... probably not worse combustion-wise than, say, antique pine - provided the distance from the firebox is correct. for covering the surround you suggested drywall (not MDF).
the word "over" having two different meanings (applied to a surface vs above) - Aunt Liz, maybe that's how you interpreted the last paragraph?
maybe be a good idea to use a fire-rated drywall (we're talking less than one sheet here so cost diffence is negligible) and there surely are particulars about how to frame it especially where it meets the firebox - I'd use metal studs/channels rather than wood...
hoping to quote actual code later, can't research it just right this instant
not in the slightest.
The surround is what matters most about code. MDF is just as flammable as wood... wood mantles aren't a problem are they?
Paul D.. care to quote some code - you are our resident code guru..
Red Heron, mdf over fireplace? Isn't that awfully dangerous? I don't know about the rest of Canada, but in Alberta, you cannot use mdf over a fireplace, especially wood burning as it is highly flammable and moreso as it dries and breaks down from heat from the face of the stone or brick. We have code in Alberta that for any woodburning or gas burning fireplaces, it is a requirement when refacing them that we use either fire retardent drywall or plywood, then drywall over that. But mdf here is a violation of code :) or as I call it, faux poo.
I like the sample done showing the cream colour doors, too. It looks very natural with the stone. Like it just belongs.
Dustybunnydiva, you do very good renderings with your graphics package.
i really like the mock up that dbd did with the cream and ecspecially with the doors.....it totally changed the look
smiles
janetc
you should see my vaccuum cleaner too--what was it, Dino?
No offense taken.
Appreciate the input. I'll paint the backs, I think, when there are real books in that thing......
I'm preassuring dh to get us a real honest-to-goodness gas fireplace and I will be happy to just rip the whole thing out!
Meanwhile, I'll price out all the mouldings, and plan them out. Having got bookcases that fit the space exactly will make moulding on the mantle a wee bit tricky--never mind the fact that the stupid sized windows are right up against it.
(When it comes to these sorts of things, I'm a "Arts and Craftsman," you know, glazed muted tile, natural wood, SQUARE windows, sigh, type gal....)
have you ever been to Toronto and visited Canada's Wonderland? I can't help but think of Mr. Fred W. R. Flinstone when I see the stone on the fireplace.
NOTE: I have Fred Flinstone feet so please take the above comment with all the cheek and sarcasm it was sent with... MUAGGH!
Anyhoo... the stone is just well... wrong. Stone should be all or nothing. Personally, I would drywall over the facade and then do the fab bookcases with doors - though I would use radiator metal screening in them in lieu of solid doors.. texture and creates the illusion of depth.
Alternatively, you could paint the back of the bookcases or choose to use a tone on tone wallpaper stripe - say Farrow and Ball.
If you were to cover the stone you could use MDF and do a loverly stacked mantle to match.. I did one on an upcoming episode of Design Match - costs next to nothing. You could also do a mosaic tile surround or tumbled marble.. something with some texture to create added interest. Beef up that mantle while yer at it!
Even without the doors, they look 100% better! And wow, the brown/black looks awful! Thanks for removing any thoughts I had along that line! (And I swear I was uspet for about a week we hadn't purchased the new black/brown ones now offered.)
About the doors.
I agree it looks much much better!
First thought is, one unit is 60 cm, the other 40 cm. I like the double door idea, would it look funny to have two 30 and one 40?
Second thought: the videos and some of the puzzles stick beyond the "edges"--so doors would be a bit awkward--unless the mouldings would take care of that?
And as far as trimming the bottom: I'm worried about that because our "real" baseboards take up a fair bit of room. I suppose I could but some on the bottom front...and then run some up each outer edge.
What's a good trim width for the shelves? Is one inch too big? or too small? I just measured and the shelves are 3/4" thick right now, lol!
And any idea how big the moulding ought to be up top?
Thanks so much for the mock-ups. Incredible!
OH--and in case it strikes anyone--I am in the process of painting out the brown "bottoms" on the "fireplace surround."
About the fireplace:
I don't want to do birch logs: one of my kids might just decide to pick one up and hit the other with it, lol! I like the candle idea (I'm always lighting candles) My dd though has a fixation with blowing them out, lol!)
Other suggestions welcomed!
I like the one with the doors in cream. What a difference!
I agree with the putting trim on the cases. I did it with some I had and its one of those fixes that takes the oridinary onto a custom look really easily. I did find screwing the sides of the cases together was a must and then it's pretty easy to put some cove molding or crown/baseboard on no problem. I also put widers strips between the cases.
As for painting, I did that too and it was a big job. Bookcases also take way more paint than I expected but in the end it was worth it. You do need a good primer like Zinsser that sticks to anything.
After I did mine I was so please with the reactions I got. They looked totally built in and covered a whole wall. For the price (I think it cost me under $100 for everything including the bookcases because I got a deal) it was worth the work.
Anyway, I tried some mock ups with added trim and added doors in both the existing colour and what I hope looks black/brown (although I suspect it may look a little green the way colours have been turning out here).
I like the suggestions of keeping everything light, and putting moulding on top. I would lean towards putting some doors on the bookcases to hide clutter and bring your eye to some key pieces on top. You could also get a collection of large wide white candles to put on a grate in the f/p, they give a beautiful glow when they are lit (just don't burn the house down!). If you are feeling like splurging, Bay Bloor radio has some great small speakers with incredible sound for good prices.
i agree with the idea of trim on the top of the shelving but what about putting trim on all the shelves to give it the look of a heavier shelf. They look a little thin right now and maybe that would make it look more built in.
I would go with the previous poster's suggestion and give the standard bookcases some interest with mouldings. I think Nate did this on an Oprah episode -- poke around on her website for photos in the decorating/home section. Anyhow, for the speakers, how about taking them out of the fireplace, taking out a couple of shelves from the bookcases, putting them in there, and then having a simple, shaker-style screen door made for the fronts. I've seen nice rad covers made with holey-looking screen (not like mosquito netting!). There is probably a lot on the internet for customizing basic bookshelves. You could even drill holes in the backs of the bookshelves for the wiring of the speaker? Definitely keep the bookcases light. If you can, paint them a warmer white, in the same shade as the fireplace. I also think you have too much stuff in the shelves, etc., and things are too small. For instance, the plant pots could be bigger. The hole looks like a blac\k hole to nowhere. If the fireplace is working or not, decoratively stack some birch logs in it, and get a grate in front of it so it looks inviting.
I would screw the sets of bookcases together, put a moulding round the bottom. This will help bring them together, make them look even more like 1 unit, and not two; if you like, you could apply some moulding across the tops, too.
My first instinct was to put doors on them, but I like the idea of boxes or baskets, too, to minimize the "cluttered" look. I like the symmetry !
No, don't paint them until you've tried a few other things; there is probably an easier solution !
Is it a real fireplace ??? or could you put something else there??
what you can do to further unify the look is apply molding along the top and bottom of the bookcases (one long strip to join them on each side). i would nail in a strip of flat wood vertically where the two bookcases meet so you cannot see the gap between the separate pieces. leave them white. i wouldn't go to the trouble of painting it all out. the trims already come in a white melamine finish. you may just want to fill in the nail holes with a white nail filler.
you could paint out the river rock on you fp or give it a white washed look with a diluted white paint. it looks nice natural too. depends on the look you are going for. i think just those few small changes will make a big difference. good luck! :)
Gee, unless I am missing something, I think it looks like one continuous line across your room. May be because the window frames appear to be the same height as the mantle. I think it is a good thing to square up the room like this.
Unless you want the fireplace to stand out, I would not paint bookcases brown or black. Right now they blend nicely.
I would put all the kids things in baskets on the bottom shelves and display a collection of something (vases, etc.) in the upper shelves. I cannot see any oversize speaker holes.....
I like them!