wallpaper fireplace wall. on chimney breast - or to either side of it?

[kizzie]

Thats it really.

My house is very neutral. Lots of 'new whote' everywhere. And want to inject a bit of something in living room.

Quite fancy a little bit of fancy wallpaper but not too much. Something lovely and sumptuous but because we wouldnt be using much it wouldnt cost a lot.

Just cant decide - what looks better. Making a feature of chimney breast. Or painting the chimney breast a neutral, complementary colour and then papering the bits of wall on either side (and then the rest of the room neutral.)

Hope this makes sense xxx

I'd do the papering on the walls on either side of the chimney breast, to avoid smoke marking the chimney breast. Better to paint over smoke marks than try to clean them off paper ime

Thanks irises. Its not actually a working fireplace so smoke damage not a problem. Does it work better in terms or room proportions to do either side of the fireplace. Its a fairly decent sized square room.

Looking at property mags loads at the mo, as we are in the process of decorating our new kitchen/family room. I personally would paper the chimney breast as I have seen some lovely pictures of rooms with this feature.

But it is all down to personal taste!!

Thanks Ruthiebabes - think i'll get a few mags and see which looks best.

im doing the same at the moment and im decorating the chimney breast.....

It depends how dark or bold the wallpaper is and how large the room is. We had a burgundy wallpaper on ours and it made it a really imposing feature in the room.

chimney breast definitely, and could also consider the wall opposite to the chimney breast?

chimney breast if no risk of smoke damage.

lovely - thanks everyone x

I just did the chimney breast and it looks good.