What would you do to this fireplace? (photo)

[pipnchops]

We had a log burner installed a few years ago and last year we finally got a wooden fire surround and painted it white but we don't know what to do with the bits of wall that are visible inside the surround. We're thinking tiles? But no idea what colour or pattern. The colour scheme in the room is browns and reds with white framed pictures. Thanks in advance!

Paint the “wall” visible in the centre a different colour to the rest of the wall. Maybe tile it or use those tile effect stickers? Take those hooks out as they look messy. Maybe buy some ornate wood trimmings/ embellishments to stick to it and repaint.

You could just paint it black like the picture below?
I'm not sure about tiles. I know the look you mean but I'm not 100% sure it would suit.
I think it is the narrower gaps either side that make it look a little funny. It would be better if the gap was the same width the whole way around. Maybe if you used more 'modern' tiles like white subway tiles?
The other option would be to find a smaller wooden surround that lines the hole the wood burner sits in.

Maybe something like this if that’s the style you’re after. I’d probably repaint it white.

Thanks, we like the idea of tiling it, not sure what colour tiles, black and white? Didn't know there was such a thing as tile stickers, would stickers peel off when it got hot those? The hooks are for Christmas stockings and I don't notice them but I suppose we could take them out when it's not Christmas!

We had to have the fire surround that size so that the wood wouldn't be too close to the log burner, otherwise yes I would have rather it fit exactly around the hole.

Thanks for your ideas, I really have no vision when it comes to things like this.

They’re like vinyl stickers, I’ve used them in my house and they’ve not peeled off for me yet, the surface underneath needs to be really clean and even though. These are some examples

Fair enough re the surround. I think either go for black or white tiles then. Anything coloured might seem a little too 'matchy matchy'.
The other option would be the stone or brick effect tiles but I'm not sure how they would look around the edge.

What about these tiles? www.tiles-direct.com/wall-tiles-c26/shapes-mini-metro-bevel-gloss-white-2-3cm-x-4-8cm-mosaic-tile-p666

My reservation about black is that because the log burner is black it'll get a bit lost unless it's lit, and it's a nice feature.

If you are tempted by black I would say go dark grey. Black would be very harsh.

Those tiles are nice. Would you do the whole cavity of just the outside bit?

I meant to write 'or' not 'of' 🤦🏼‍♀️

I was thinking just the outside bit, but could do the whole cavity if that would look better.

I think I would tile the whole thing, not just the edges. Also, if those are little bits of skirting inside of the fire surround, I would remove them.

I wouldn't use vinyl stickers near a heat source like that. Wouldn't they melt?

How wide is the bit of walleither side? It looks quite narrow so tiles may look very odd. We have a wooden mantle over our wood burner so don't have the bits at the sides, however the whole wall and fireplace is painted the same colour. You could just try painting it the same colour as the surround and see what it looks like, then paint inside the fireplace a contrasting colour?

I like the slate tiles in this picture for the cavity actually.

I'd be tempted to paint the outside strips white and use something like slate inside.

We had similar, but we were told not to have a wood surround that close, so have this free standing mantel

www.amazon.co.uk/Mantel-Chunky-Unfinished-Mantle-Corbels/dp/B07FXQ648N/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mantel+shelf+chunky+corbels&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1586947341&sr=8-1

And have painted the wall and behind stove all the same as rest of room. Very clean and minimalist.

Fired Earth have gorgeous tiles though, for inspiration. Topps tiles too. Make sure they’re fire suitable (ie won’t crack in high heat).

Sorry, wrong photo!

I'd get rid of the fire surround and just have a chunky mantel above it then paint the walls surrounding the wood burner the same colour you choose for the rest of the room.

I’d also just get rid of the surround and put in a chunky mantel , the surround at the sides leaves such a small gap that anything you do will look fussy apart from just painting the inside the same as the outside and that may look odd .

I agree with above to get rid of the fire surround.

I don't think log burners suit being set in a fireplace as such.

I'd simply have it recessed in the wall and have nice wall tiling at the back and down lighters. Possible a reclaimed solid oak plank across the top as a mantle piece.

But you’d probably have to have it taken out to put in back wall tiling?

I really like that look in the photo from soontobe60. Should have done that now, it'll be a lot of work to take out the fire surround and we'll need a new skirting board as we've cut into our current one. Ooops. How I wish i had a clue how to make things look nice!