Fireplace Focal Point of Room

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

I have a fireplace in my living room that is the same color as the red brick on the outside of our home. The living room is long and narrow. It seems that the fireplace consumes the room. It does not have a mantel and is just a big square hole in the brick. The carpet is light beige and the walls are a shell white. Should I paint the brick the same color of the room?

Signed,

Can you suggest something

Dear Can you suggest something,

Generally, a fireplace should be the focal point of a room. If you think the brick color is too dark for the room, whitewashing the brick would lighten the color. But to paint over the brick is something to think long and hard about because it would be permanent.

To enhance your fireplace, you can remodel your fireplace with marble and a mantel. Around the fireplace opening, cover over the brick with beautiful marble or stone. For example, around the sides and above the fireplace, install foot square marble tiles that contain at least the colors of both the brick and walls. Then, add a nice mantel.