Reader request - built-in shelving for fireplace

This reader request was sent in a while ago by Kristina: My mother is really struggling with adding a wall of built in shelving around her fireplace in her living room. I told her I would try to find some inspiring reference photographs. She wants to add a wall of bookcase shelving around the (brick) fireplace, hoping to put the TV above the fireplace. I suggested some double doored cabinets to put the DVD player surround sound etc. The room has HIGH ceilings so the bookcase wall would go all the way up, pretty vast. There is also a slanted ceiling, which is driving her crazy. I suggested a decorative round piece on the top shelf to tie in the slant. Any pictures would be helpful!! I am so glad Kristina added in that last sentence because despite looking at hundreds of photos of living rooms, I could not find any photos that were perfect for her mom's dilemma. Instead I grabbed all sorts of photos simply of built-in bookcases/shelving around fireplaces to hopefully help with ideas - and for anyone else looking to provide storage around a fireplace.

the selby
design*sponge
Jerry Jacobs Design
Nathan Egan
Colombe Stevens
Warren Heath
Dana Wolter

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Reader request - kitchens with fireplaces

Stacey sent us in a reader request I wanted to tackle today and while it's quite brief, I found it intriguing: "Hi! I'm not sure if you've done this one, but I'd love to see kitchen fireplaces.....thanks!" Easy enough request, but I immediately began to wonder how many photos I'd find of kitchens with fireplaces. I think it's a bit odd to have a fireplace in a kitchen, which tends to be one of the warmest rooms in the house (if you cook that is). Although the more photos I found in my stash the more I thought how fab it would be to have a fireplace to make a kitchen even cosier. I'm sold!

Marie Claire Italy	Sköna hem
Domino	Sköna hem
Per Magnus Persson	Adriano Bacchella
Sköna hem	Hus & Hem

Elle Deco Spain
booli
Hus & Hem

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Reader request - stone fireplace

Today's reader request comes from Jennifer: "I am in need of some help with my large stone fire place! Our fire place is the focal point of a fairly large room. It is freestanding and it is field stone that has been painted white. The room has rough wood beams and trim that has also been painted white (by previous owners). I am trying to put the room together. I'd like to see some images of furnishings in rooms that have large stone fireplaces. (I am trying to figure out what kind of furniture will go best with it.)" Below is a mix of all sorts of stone fireplaces because I could not find enough with field stone and I figured why not take this opportunity to showcase all kinds of stone. IMHO, if it's painted white I think you can pretty much go with anything. I vote for mid-century modern (see the Lili Abir Regen photo below), or a casual rustic vibe (like the Cdn H&H photo). Whatever you choose Jennifer, you're lucky that you have a fireplace. I had one in my last house and sooooo miss it.

Aidlin Darling Design	Joe Schmelzer
Jonny Valiant	Eric Piasecki
House of Pictures	Jordi Canosa
Jennifer Worts	Emily Summers
Canadian House & Home	Francesco Bittichesu

Lili Abir Regen
Agnes Bourne

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Reader request - mantels

This week's reader request comes from Nicola in London: "Our living room has a beautiful original Victorian fireplace but I am struggling to figure out what would look good on the mantelpiece (I think they are just called mantels in the U.S.) I have tried a few arrangements but nothing I have put together so far seems to work...." Simple enough. I think when you've got a Victorian fireplace, you could decorate it with virtually anything as they are so beautiful to begin with. :)  Anyway, here are many photos of fireplace mantels and the assorted decor they hold. (And if you're looking for art ideas to hang over the fireplace, check out this post I did a while back).

Lonny
House Beautiful
Apartment Therapy
domino
Camron
Otthon
Todd Yoggy
Luca Trovato
Heather Jenkinson
Lonny
House Beautiful

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What to do with a suspended fireplace

Abena wrote us with a design dilemma she thought we could help her with. "I would love a post on how to decorate around those weird hanging fireplaces from the 60s and 70s. My husband and I are moving into a new (rental) apartment in June with one. I attached a photo from a similar apartment (w/ my hubby in it, who you can see needs lots of space).

Our fireplace is rounder with no base in a larger, long room. It is also hanging near the back wall between a balcony with large sliding doors, but there is also a floor to ceiling window to the right. I would love something like what was achieved in this Richard Powers photograph.

Except our view is not quite as stunning, nor is the scary black fireplace in a nice symmetrical location. My husband just says we should put a tall plant in front of it and forget about it, but I think we should do more!" And I agree with you. Why not just place a couple mid-century chairs around it and make it a little conversation area? I found some photos of suspended fireplaces that hopefully will give you some ideas. For the record, I always wanted one and am REALLY jealous.

Annie Schlechter
Alan Kaplanas
Image Locations
Coroflot
Stanley Saitowitz
fernlund + logan
Peter L. Gluck & Partners
House of Pictures
House of Pictures
Jonathan Adler
Jeremy Samuelson
Salon

Lundberg Design	Pieter Estersohn
Elle Decor Italia	Living Etc.

Stacey Brandford