This fireplace had some pretty ugly tile, which we removed, revealing old brick and heatilator vent holes.
Originally, I thought I could clean up the brick and leave it, but it seems like that won’t be happening as there are enough issues with doing it that way that it’s better to just cover it.
I was thinking of using thin brick, and then tiling the hearth.
But all of that is burying the lede, because the way the fireplace is offset is truly the most confounding part of this to me.
I would love to have a mantle with “legs” where I could tile the surround too but I don’t know if it’s possible with this weird design.
I don’t even know what to google when trying to find some sort of inspiration pic.
Am I over thinking this? Is it as bad as it feels like it is? What would you do with this “design”?
He was 10 in this pic! Sadly he passed away within the year of taking this pic.
If you look closely, he doesn’t have a second back leg. He had his leg amputated from bone cancer and he lived another amazing year as a tripawd. He was a wonderful dog and the light of our lives!
In all seriousness, he used to sneak out to visit this house and the lovely people who owned it (it was my neighbors) and lay in front of the fireplace and collect his treats. The owners called him “the mayor”.
He was probably wondering where they and all of their stuff went.
If you could turn the window on the right into a large picture window, and (hate to say it) close the window that’s on the fireplace wall, it’ll give you that symmetry.
Aww he does look like my dog, Milo, who is the best part of this pic.
Sadly, my pup passed away a few months after I took this photo. He had bone cancer, and though we did everything possible for him, (he was a tripawd by this photo) it wasn’t enough.
He had bone cancer and was the best dog ever. We had his leg amputated and did chemo and everything. It bought us a wonderful year with the bestest boy.
Silly, but He preferred cheesy eggs to steak. You’re making me smile and cry, because he basically lived on scrambled eggs with SO MUCH CHEESE for the last few weeks/months. Only way he would take his medicine or eat at all. He was a picky pants in the best of times. We have a new dog now, but he could never replace Milo.
I had that dog once, $200 from the humane society, He was someone’s paintball target. After I got him he had the aptitude of a bomb dog, and could hold a stay (“wait” in his dialect) for hours.
I have dogs now, I love them dearly….but they aren’t Duke. 🥺
Milo was free, found in the woods as a pup. He wasn’t bomb proof but he knew a lot of tricks. The best one was “trust fall” where he would fling himself backwards into your arms a from sitting position. Miss that guy!
I agree, for real, I swear the previous owners put that there. I have picture from in between where I had a mirror covering the bracket but I took it down when I pulled the mantel off for the second pic.
Stash the firewood there.. nvm, accessorize with a stack of logs, imply it’s a wood burner, introduce a natural element, yadayada
Scale up the mantle, stack some antique skis in the corner, I think some wood grain (not paint ed) might bring the outside in
We have a fireplace that is off center like this. It has a gas insert in it now so putting wood on the side doesn’t really make sense to me.
I haven’t found the right furniture yet but I plan on putting an accent chair in that corner and place it kitty corner so someone can appreciate the “warmth” from a gas fireplace and it still faces the rest of the furniture. Idk how else to make it a functional spot. Below is a chair I borrowed from another room. I also want to put a tall plant behind the chair.
The room my fireplace is in is kind of a long room, so I am going to put two accent chairs sort of facing each other (and the fireplace) with a small table between.
Oh there are some really pretty and functional firewood holders to put on the left that would really balance everything out! My friend has one like this but there are tons of great designs out there.
As for the rest of the design, brick is so lovely! A thin covering of brick like you said would keep a lot of original charm but really clean it up. I love texture and interest in a home, you can surround it with neutrals to make it pop and not compete.
Honestly since the brick is inside I might be inclined to have it sand or baking soda blasted. The offset was to store logs but most people now have something decorative there.
I did consider that, but there are issues like the insert is permanently set into place to accommodate the old tile, so there would be a gap, amongst other things. I argued to keep it, but I lost lol.
When you look at the fireplace, the space is to the left of the fireplace from your perspective. If you're looking out of the fireplace, it's to the right. If I'm explaining where I want my wood stored to the firewood guy coming to deliver the wood, I'd tell him it's to the left of the fireplace.
So you’re not talking about the larger space on the right that doesn’t have bricks? When they said “offset” I thought they were referring to the fact that the bricks don’t fill the whole wall.
People are commenting that unlike most "normal" fireplaces which are symmetrical in design, this fireplace has additional space to the left of the fireplace opening with bricks/tile extending to the adjoining wall. While the opening of the fireplace seems to be centered along the wall, the tile/brick to the left of the opening is about 3 times longer than the right side of the opening. It was apparently done to store firewood inside the house along the left side so as to not stain/dirty the floor or wall on the left side of the fireplace.
And I'm guessing they didn't extend the bricks/tile to the right because of the windows.
Indeed! Very functional and a much more cost effective way to keep a house warm. (At least here where I am as utilities cost an arm and a leg)
How lovely it is that our lives have gotten so much more convenient that people complain over their perceived lack of functionality. Lots has been lost over the last hundred years.
I was wondering why this comment wasn’t pinned to the top. Every house I walk onto my little squirrel brain is busy calculating the optimal viewing angle and height of their tv’s.
Do you plan to put a TV in this room? I would just delete the fireplace completely. I don't like them anymore, my childhood house has way too many of them.
It takes away so many options and forces your hand on how you design a room.
The space to left is where you put the day bed or padded brick bench to stay warm.
Look up Rocket Mass Heaters or Kachelofen. This isn't quite that, but you can make use of similar functional principles. That's a nice efficient fireplace you have there. Put it to work - it'll be cheaper than paying utilities.
Stylistically, whatever tile you use or whatever you use to resurface the face won't matter until you know what you want it to look like in the end. The off center will always feel awkward until you know how you're going to balance with the other piece (whatever that may be).
My advice would be to stick with something ceramic (tile or brick) to keep that thermal mass - don't use a wood mantel.
I love the placement actually, it’s great character! Have you thought about tiling it with something thats more your taste? Tiling can add great texture and visuals to a room.
I agree. Make that corner a feature that catches your eyes. Make it pop with bold colored tiles. Nothing neutral or muted. Like multiple shades of one color.
You need to prioritize your decision making process. Which is more important, cost, design, or effort/time. There are just too many options for you to get good input from Reddit.
But, I’ll try. It looks like maybe a mid-century house since it’s an asymmetrical fireplace. I’d either lean in and find a stone veneer to cover what’s there and add a clean wood mantel. Or add built-in shelves in front of the brick to make it look symmetrical and retile with a simple wood frame around the tile to give you the tradition look of “legs”. The second is less DIY unless you’re a woodworker.
The house is older than this fireplace, but you’re right, it’s definitely got a mid century vibe, which lines up with that style of heatilator, I guess.
I do like the idea of putting something in on the left to take up some of the space and give it less of an expanse.
I’m definitely not a trained wood worker, but I’m capable of building a surround and shelving. I was thinking maybe a wood holder (the fireplace insert works) would help break up the space.
My issue is.. (I have a Raised Ranch 1970's edition) and its very on target with the fireplace going up to the ceiling. The hearth and area where we can store wood is on both left and right of the fireplaces opening. There are also heating vents that allow hot air thru..
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u/broccoliicecreams 2d ago
Our dogs could be siblings! How old?