Should I paint my mantlepiece white?

[rmagee611]

Hello,

We live in a 1950s semi with a front room that has a fireplace with a pine-ish mantlepiece. As mantelpieces go it’s fairly plain, but the colour is sort of pine-ish (might not actually be pine but that’s what I think of when I see it!).

We’ve decorated the room in a light bright blue ish grey. We’ve kept the picture rail which is painted a gloss white. The wood floors are close in colour to the fire place. We also have white Venetian blinds. Everything is light and bright...but I think my parents would tell me it’s would be a sin to paint it!!

Am I mad?

If it's orangey pine, I'd definitely paint/stain/whitewash etc.

Can you post a photo of the fireplace?

We need a photo.

If it’s orangey, yes paint.

Definitely need a photo

In the same boat. What to do

Probably paint. It doesn't sound like it's an original feature? Hard to tell without pics.

Yes, definitely do it! I had a knotty pine fireplace and after 10 years I painted it white. Makes a HUGE difference to the room and when I look at the before photos I kick myself that I didn't do it when we moved in.

Make sure you get some knot sealant first and give it a rub down with fine sandpaper. I dabbed 5 or 6 layers onto each knot and then a couple of layers of emulsion all over and finally a couple of layers of 'antique white' eggshell. Took a week doing another layer each day, cost about £15-£20 and looks amazing (if I say so myself!)

I'd paint it.

You can always do a white wash over it so the wood shows through a bit if you’re not sure, but I’d say yes paint it.

I've painted two fire surrounds - you need a good primer, presumably it's not bare wood, and a couple of coats of satinwood or specialist furniture paint such as Rustoleum in satin finish. Use a gloss roller for a smooth finish.

ibb.co/ns5GKpY

Sorry I’m new here (long time lurker) so cant attach a pic, but hopefully this link works?

@fourfuckssake4 @elsaandanna @wowfudge
Photo link added above... I mean it’s really not very offensive, so can’t tell if I should just leave it be!

That looks more oak than pine. Personally, I like it and would leave it.

It's nice. It might not stand out as much when the room is furnished.

That's a lovely fireplace, I think you'd regret painting that fireplace and I'd leave it as it is.

I'd paint it Matt black.

we painted ours and much prefer it, lovely colour in your walls ..

Totally depends on what your furniture is like. TV stand etc - I would say its nice and its oak more than pine - could like nice if your furniture is light/neutral so totally depends on that.

I wouldn’t paint it, it looks really nice.

I'd paint it as I'm not a fan of the Oak Furniture Land look. White sounds good and will work well with the dark hearth.

I’d paint it a chalky white. It would look miles better.

Not orangey pine at all but looks a bit dated to me. I'd paint it white eggshell, not gloss.

I wouldn't. White painted everything is a bit naff and dated now.

Can't believe people are suggesting not to paint it. Yes, paint it!