The hot summer days were spent looking at Thomas destroy the old fireplace, agonize about which scandinavian wood stove would make the cut and then rebuilt the all thing new. We have reached an 'almost finished' state, the kind when you don't stub you toes on sharp or heavy cast-iron objects anymore. The only thing dampening my enthousiasm for the near completion of the work is that now I have to actually find something else to complain about! Just kidding... that's easy.
No, what I intended to write about is the shelves on each side of the stove, as well as the empty space above it. They need filling with stuff and art and I feel completly uninspired. So feel free to share your ideas if you have any ( as if not...), but first here is what it looks like now (Click on the images to enlarge):
and used to look like then:
Can you spot the difference?
post update: To answer some of the comments questions, the problem with the original set-up was the fireplace. It was ugly: Bathroom tiles, fire-retardant paint with a weird texture on the mantel. The worst part was that it actually swallowed heat from the house instead of giving out any, and gave me bad headache even when no fire was going. It's also really important to have a secondary mean of heating here, because we have winter snows that can knock down power for up to a week, a very cold week!
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I'm just curious - what was wrong with the original set up?? Did I miss that post?
Posted by: Renee | October 18, 2008 at 11:20 AM
My first thought was that the tile behind your new stove should go up to the ceiling so ones eye doesn't stop at the cutoff. Then maybe a piece of artsy fabric stretched over a frame and hung?
Posted by: Hannah | October 18, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I've looked and looked and I'm still not exactly clear what the difference is ;-)
Posted by: trashalou | October 18, 2008 at 02:24 PM
I love the new fireplace and the tiles are a great colour. But to be honest (and I hope you're not offended) I would get rid of those shelving cabinets. They look like they are swamping the room, blocking out some of the window, and don't allow the beautiful new stove to have centre stage.
If you can't get rid, then FILL with books and photos in frames. x
Posted by: Sarita | October 18, 2008 at 02:47 PM
I think you need a sort of "mantel" above your new fireplace... then you could add some tall items (vase with neat branches?) and those red items from your before picture.
I have also seen people put fabric or scrapbook paper behind the shelves, so they're not quite so black-hole-ish. That way you wouldn't need to fill them all up, though you could fill a few with books like Sarita said.
Posted by: elizabeth | October 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I forgot to add that having a "mantel" would tie the two units together and prevent them from looking like they're just shoved in the corners.
Good luck! And I can't wait to see the "after" pictures!
Posted by: elizabeth | October 19, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Well done on a beautiful stove. Is it a Rais? You'll love it. The whole set up looks very modern.
Posted by: carol | October 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM
The stove is very nice! I agree with some sort of mantel, that way you could add some built-ins on the side--bungalow style. time to whip out your carpentry skills
Posted by: greta | October 19, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Stove is beautiful! and I really like the slate on the floor and the tile. I kinda agree about the weightiness of the storage. Maybe more storage over the stove would balance.
One thing that makes me uncomfortable is how the tile stops on the back but is wide on the floor and the storage looks like it is encroaching.
My other idea is that maybe the decoration between the storage should be hung from the ceiling or some how out from the wall.
Posted by: 2ndavestudio- rachel | October 20, 2008 at 02:53 AM
Oooh, beautiful stove. I can just feel the warmth. Isn't it nice to be rid of that raised hearth with all the sharp corners just waiting for little knees and heads to get bumped on? Mine has a not-so-lovely rubber bumper around it right now. One day ... I like your brick pattern tile in the background, and I would find a nice substantial art piece to display above it. Good colour that will stand out etc. You could even get a triptych - you know a painting split into three parts. I like the ones with the larger centre piece and two smaller side panels. I think your shelves will look lovely once they are filled with a few things. I vision a couple shelves full of books (low key, matching bindings are nice), and then a bowl here and there, some collected items that you love (a piece of driftwood or some rocks from a memorable place etc.). Just one or two things on each shelf. Best of luck, and follow your heart!
Posted by: Cheryl | October 20, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I think it is a really great beginning. I might paint the center wall above the tile in the same color as the tiles, so it doesn't look so cut in half, and then, as many have suggested hang some larger artwork. You could also put a simple shelf where the tile and wall meet, as a kind of mantel. That would allow you to put some kind of lighting there, which would highlight the artwork.
I like the idea of books and artifacts on the shelves. They will be very useful and once they're not so empty they won't look like too much shelf for the room.
PS: I zoomed in on the photo and I love your ceramics, and the Dala horse. (I have a very small collection of Dala horses that live near my front door)
Posted by: Alison | October 20, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I'd say that the problem is that the storage is large, while the stove is little, so it looks a little off-balanced as it is.
So, maybe a shelf or cupboard above the stove, to bridge the gap. Or just hang a wood board flush with the edges of the storage, and hang a picture from that (so the stove appears to be in a recess).
Maybe move the storage units in closer to the stove (if you don't need to keep a gap around it), so it's less on it's ownsome. eg. move so that the middle line lines up with the tile on the floor edge.
Maybe switch the storage with some shallower shelves, so that the stove stands out more.
Or you can use my method of having such a messy house that no one notices the furniture placement...
Posted by: Lil' d | October 20, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Hi. I have been having a good look at your photo and I think what you have is too many colours going. Green tiles, grey or black heater and floor tile, white cupboard doors and brown wood. Generally one expects two main colours with maybe one or two added for a bit of pizazz. Could you either change the tiles to match the wall or paint the wall to match the tiles? Then if you could get the cupbord doors in the same colour as the rest of it there would be less clashing. Also complete the overhaul by making a cornice above the front edge of the shelves to tie things together and give everything a built in look. After that you add your books and bits of pottery etc and it will look lovely and feel warm too. Maybe also your red bits on the floor near the heater if they wll not burn? Cherrie
Posted by: cherrie | October 21, 2008 at 09:38 AM
I can't believe you tore down that beautiful mantle.
Posted by: Elisabeth | October 28, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I agree with Sarita, the shelves are a bit overpowering, making the space between them and the fireplace more apparent. Go for something which creates a balanced distribution of features for this part of your house. It would be more pleasant that way.
Posted by: Kalona Mincey | August 03, 2011 at 06:42 AM