{ Fireplace Facelift }

We received an E-mail from a home owner in Powell River with some inquiries on how  to reface her existing fireplace, and incorporate a television into the space .  Thanks for your question S. – here’s what I think you should do…

Before

After

Inspiration Photos From HGTV.com

There is usually some confusion surrounding where to put the TV in a room where there is also a fireplace.  Typically it’s best not to make the television the focal point of the room, but let’s face it,  TV has become a part of our everyday lives, therefore we need a convenient location for viewing.  So what do we do when we also have a fireplace thrown into the design? Traditionally  fireplaces were the focal point of the room as they were considered a feature architectural detail, and let’s not forget the added bonus of  snuggling up to the secondary heat source!  Thankfully there are a couple of solutions that work wonderfully for rooms that require a multi-featured area.

Both photos demonstrate the need for built-in cabinets on either side of the fireplace when a TV has to be incorporated into the space.  Today television viewing requires a host of components such as the DVD player, Satellite hook-up, Cable box, surround sound systems and whatever other gadgets and gizmo’s are required. Ideally these  should be to be concealed and these cabinets work really well to hide the equipment behind closed doors, and provide easy accessibility when needed.  The use of open shelving above the storage cabinets is an excellent way to display collections, and personalize the space.  I love how in the second photo the wall behind the shelves has been painted a rich dark colour to add contrast and make the accessories pop!

Now that the storage issue had been addressed, it’s time to determine the finish on the fireplace.  In the first photo stone has been used for the face and the hearth of the fireplace.  This creates a dramatic statement in the room, and the hearth provides additional seating for guests.  In this case the TV has been placed beside the fireplace, and on top of the built-in cabinetry.  This is a great option as sometimes it can be difficult to mount the TV to the rock.  In the second photo the area above the fireplace has been drywalled, trimmed with decorative moulding, then painted to match the cabinets.  This works great for renovations with a tighter budget, and by painting all the trims and mouldings white, the new fireplace and surround will nicely compliment your existing Behr – Pebble Path wall colour and chocolate oak floors.  In this case I would mount the TV where the current picture is hanging and since all the cords have been concealed into the built-ins, the TV will now look like the missing piece of art.

Good luck with your renovation, let us know what option you’ve chosen!

~k