Thursday, January 30, 2020

Fireplace Focal Point - What Would You Choose?

A key part of the living room design is the fireplace as a focal point at the end of the room.  It's protected from dust behind plastic at the moment, but we want it to be a 'wow' feature when we're done.  On that wall we will also have window seats on either side, with built in storage.

We want to create a mantle around the fireplace.  But these gas fireplaces throw off a crazy amount of heat, so we need a big area of 'non combustible' material - aka tile - directly around the firebox.  The tile will extend to the area you see marked by blue tape.

And that creates the dilemma, which tile to choose?  I'd like to use a Carrera marble, but there are several options.

1) The current leader is this simple herringbone.  It doesn't scream for attention, but provides a nice pattern around the black metal fame

2) This is a bolder herringbone, but maybe too bold?

3) Doesn't this look like leaves?  It's a pretty sweet marble tile

4) I love this marble pattern, but worry it's a bit too bold - we don't want this tile to be the primary focal pattern.

So which would you choose?


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23 comments:

  1. I would choose the bottom one. Yes, it is bold, but the others seem to be a little small and fussy. It would depend some on whether you would pick up one of 5e darker colors nearby.

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  2. I love #3 but #1 is the safer, more "neutral" choice. Both would be beautiful. I could also live with #2. I am afraid #4 would seem dated at some point.

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  3. No. 1...Simple Herringbone. It's classically beautiful and won't go out of style.

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  4. Love the classic simplicity of #1 as well.

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  5. Honestly-I love the leaves. They're different but not too out there.

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  6. The first one is probably the most timeless. Number 2 is nice but I think both #2 and #4 are maybe too focus-pulling? I'd worry about adding a lot of pattern to a room with #4; it might limit decorating options. Three is pretty but reads a little "bathroom" to me.

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  7. #3. Totally different. I loved it.

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  8. I like #1, the simple herringbone pattern. It's classic and interesting to look at without being overwhelming. It will work well with other patterns.

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  9. I love the leaves but I feel like the area along the side of the firebox is too narrow for that pattern. I would go with #1.

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  10. Leaves! Classic but different enough to be interesting.

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  11. I like the bold herringbone - it's classic, and I think the others will go out of style faster.

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  12. What material will be around the tile? Maybe you mentioned this before and I missed it. Because of the narrowness of the surround down the sides, I'd go with No. 1.

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  13. #1 or #4 - subtle and classic or bold and beautiful. Either would be fab!

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  14. I love the leaves because of it's sexy curves. Against all those straight lines of the fireplace, I think it would be a nice contrast. I also like that it's a little whimsical and it reminds me a bit of a cable knit sweater. :)

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  15. #3 has my vote. It looks fresh and unique.

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  16. Love, love, LOVE those leaves! Or maybe they’re flames?

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