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Fireplaces Living Room Design Dilemma

what height should a mantle be proportional to the width of fireplace

16 days ago

The fireplace is too wide for the height of the existing mantle shelf.
I want to cover or paint the bricks with timber in a traditional way

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Comments (15)

Janet Ward
Original Author
16 days ago
The width is 2 metres X 1 metre high excluding the shelf
Janet Ward
Original Author
16 days ago
All comments welcome, thanks
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bigreader
16 days ago
I think the fireplace looks on proportion for its eta. If you’d like the bricks to be less prominent you could paint them the colour of the wall.
dreamer
16 days ago
I also think the mantle looks in proportion to the fireplace. I don’t see a problem.
Janet Ward
Original Author
16 days ago
Thanks, I just feel it needs to be a bit taller. Maybe I could add some timber panelling above the bricks and top it with a mantle?
Kate
15 days ago
That sounds odd. Suggest you take a photo from further back and pop it into ChatGPT asking for suggestions if you want to raise the mantle height suggest you render the bricks and the extension so it is one unit not two if that makes sense. Personally I think the mountain height is fine for height of fireplace. It appears you have installed a firebox into original box and the window is small compared to the width of brick surround
dreamer
15 days ago
Janet ward, I don’t understand how timber panelling above the bricks would improve the look.
dreamer
15 days ago
Examples of a chunkier mantle. But it depends on the total aesthetics of the room. You have plenty of items on the current mantle which distracts from its size.
Kate
15 days ago
Options
Kate
15 days ago
Blending colour in to your walls will reduce impact
Janet Ward
Original Author
15 days ago
Thanks Kate, you have been busy.
I have a bit more of an idea now
Janet Ward
Original Author
15 days ago
Thanks dreamer, I think perhaps we will render the bricks then add some square panel work and bolsters to draw the eye up a bit.
bigreader
15 days ago
Can you post a pic from further back? I suspect your mirror is too small and too low which will be contributing to a more squat look.
Janet Ward
Original Author
15 days ago
The mirror is actually quite tall at around 1 metre
bigreader
14 days ago
The mirror might be better hung the other way. On its current side.

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