Room Remixs: fireplaces

Showing posts with label fireplaces. Show all posts

Monday, August 9, 2010

Fireplace Makeovers

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

BEFORE

AFTER -
a taller slate surround adds warmth, texture and gives the fireplace more presence. The crisp white mantel finishes it off.

Most of us probably aren't thinking about fireplaces right now, but the season for using them will be here before we know it! I thought these fireplace makeovers from BHG.com might provide some inspiration for those of you considering a fireplace makeover. I love the way they provide us with the before photos as well because I think seeing them helps us to better imagine the possibilities for our own spaces.

BEFORE

AFTER -
What a difference! Surrounding dark painted fireplace bricks with beautifully detailed, painted moldings makes this fireplace a fabulous focal point.

BEFORE

AFTER -
Proof that sometimes a good coat of paint and fresh accessories are all you really need.

BEFORE

AFTER -
Paint plays a big part in this makeover as well, but adding the wood surround with the built-in bookshelves balances out what was previously a slightly off-balance, unattractive fireplace.

BEFORE

AFTER -
Professionally cleaning and etching the stones to lighten the color gives this fireplace a completely new look. Adding a rustic wood mantel brings the focus down to room level.

BEFORE

AFTER -
I love this makeover! From drab and dated to detailed and delightful! The built-in bookcases, arched soffit, built-in sconces and decorative moldings all combine to make this a beautiful focal point.

(This has nothing to do with the fireplace itself, but notice how they've used fabric runners on the chairs? An inexpensive way to add color and interest. Also easy to swap out as the seasons change, or whenever you feel like you want a different look.)

To see the rest of the fireplace makeovers, visit BHG.com's slideshow - Before and After: Fireplaces

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Creative Decorating for a Tuesday

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Use two (or three) tablerunners horizontally across a table. Gives you a different look and they can double as placemats.

marthastewart.com

So let's just say that it's Tuesday (because it is :-) ) and you're looking around your house wondering what little thing you could do today to shake up your decorating a bit. Just a little. Not much. Just something fun or different that you may not have tried before. The list of things you could do is actually unending, but here are some ideas...

If you've never layered art on your fireplace mantel, why not try it for a different look?...

myhomeideas.com

If your artwork is too small, make it bigger by attaching a thin piece of painted wood to the back like Just A Girl did for her spring mantel...

Paint a chalkboard on a door...

Country Living Photo Keith Scott Morton

We've talked about painting the backs of bookshelves and papering the backs of bookshelves, but why not make it a little more interesting by doing a little of both and mixing up the patterns?...

idealhomemagazine.co.uk

Arrange your books by color...

Style At Home

Paint a funky mirror a fabulous color...

marthastewart.com

Add some lace to your favorite pillow...

Style At Home

Mix up your bar stools with different finishes or paint colors...

Style At Home

Update your family photos and make them a focal wall in one of your rooms or hallways...

myhomeideas.com

Think outside the box on a new way to accessorize your dining room walls. This dining room wall would be a great one to use for inspiration!...

Photo by Michael Partenio via House Of Turquoise

Paint your front door a bold or just different color...

houseandhome.com

There was a question in the comments on my decorating with mirrors post on whether I knew how to make a new mirror look old. I actually didn't, but found some sources that do....

e-how article How Do I Faux Antique a Mirror?
marthastewart.com How to Antique a Mirror
HGTV.com How To Distress a Mirror

Have an awesome day!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Bringing the Outside In - Branches and twigs

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

Midwest Living Photo Kim Cornelison

I started to put a post together on bringing the outside in and realized there were really too many ideas for one post, so I decided to break it into separate posts. Today's (as you've already seen) is ideas for decorating with branches and twigs. Enjoy!

Twig and candle centerpiece from Sunset (Christina Schmidhofer, Peter O. Whiteley)

Driftwood coat rack

Sunset (Rob D. Brodman, Jess Chamberlain)

Twig coat rack from Pottery Barn

Another take on branches in a vase...

Sunset Photo Lisa Romerein

A simple branch laying on the mantle...

Sunset Photo Lisa Romerein

or a couple in vases...

Sunset Photo Daniel Hennessy

Branch lampshade from Woman's Day. Complete instructions on their site.

Twig chandeliers...

houseandhome.com Photography: Kirsten Hinder

House Beautiful photo: James Carriere

Painted branch floor lamp

Southern Living Photo Robbie Caponetto

or table lamps

Sunset Photo Lisa Romerien

A driftwood lamp in this living room designed by Frank Roop (House Beautiful photo credit: Francesco Lagnese) I like the way they added what looks like a ribbon detail on the lampshade.

Metallic silver twig lamp collection from ZGallerie

Twig curtain rod (diyideas.com)...

Branch headboard...

houseandhome.com Photo Donna Griffith

Birch wall panel from Martha Stewart. Tutorial here.

Giclee branch prints from Ballard Designs

Potted twig placecard from Martha Stewart. This is actually a wedding idea, which could obviously be used for a dinner party too, but I think it would be cute to incorporate these into a spring/summer centerpiece choosing words that would be fun or meaningful to you. Tutorial here.

Twig serving set at Pottery Barn

A twig table in this bathroom designed by Newell Turner (House Beautiful)

Another take on a twig table via The Style Files

Okay. Probably not many of you have need for a wedding cake and one with this type of theme would probably narrow the field even more, but you have to admit it's a pretty cool idea. Who's idea? Martha of course! :-) Go here to see how they did it.

What do you think? Will you be using twigs or branches in your decor?

Have an awesome Wednesday!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Accessorizing Shelves/Bookcases

Amanda Nisbet Design

Wow, it's been a week already since I've posted! It amazes me how fast time flies by. Good thing I warned you, huh? :-) Hope you're all doing well and that this is the start of a a great week for you. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

BHG.com

Do you have trouble accessorizing your bookshelves? For me, it's a trial and error-put that here-move that there-eliminate that-put that back again kind of process that takes some time. Going through that process can be completely overwhelming for many people. That's why I say that there are some times when copying can be a good thing, and I think accessorizing your bookshelves is one of those times!

BHG.com

Sure there are guidelines, and I outline some of them in this Accessorizing Above Kitchen Cabinets post that I did last July. (It was a kitchen cabinet post, but you can apply these guidelines to bookshelves as well.) Sometimes people find though that, even with guidelines, it's just not happening for them. This is when you can use the concept of imitating the structure of an arrangement that you like (which was one of the tips I gave in this Fireplace Accesorizing - Using What You Have post). You may not have the exact items shown in the bookshelf display that you're using for inspiration or it may not be exactly your style or color scheme, but you can imitate the basic structure..