Let's Talk Fireplaces

When I originally saw this house I thought the fireplace needed to be painted immediately.  The brick was dark and the black mortar was terrible.  The hearth was a giant mess sticking out into my family room ready to break the teeth off my sweet running and climbing girlies.

Then we hired contractor Steve (who is amazing btw).  It turns out Steve worked in brick for quite a while and is somewhat of a brick expert.  He told me straight up I was not allowed to paint that brick. 

According to Steve it is old Alabama Bessemer Grey brick that probably dates back to a pre-civil war era.  The brick was hand cast, which is why it is so rough and multicolored.  In some of the bricks you can actually see the fingerprints of the men who made it. So awesome, right!  

That little bit of history made me fall in love with our fireplace.  I decided not to paint it but the hearth still had to go (I don't love that fireplace more than the girls' teeth/heads).  Now I am looking for a creative way to showcase it and its awesome brick. 

Here is the fireplace before:

Here is where we are now.  It already looks so much better without the hearth.  Steve is going to take the brick from the hearth and lay it on the bottom so it matches perfectly.  

Its been hard to find some good inspiration now that I'm not painting it.  Everything I am drawn to is all white.  If you see fireplaces that rock the original brick, send me a link, or post a link in a comment.  (pics from http://www.bhg.com/)

This was my original idea:

Love the white in this one (below) but I don't love the plant or the stool.  Way too much French country. blah.

 

Based on the style of the room (below), I would automatically expect this one to be painted but it's not!  And it really works - awesome.

And this one (below) is so not my style but I find it so beautiful!  Just had to share.

So thats the current round up.  I appreciate everyone who has been giving me advice!  Thank you and keep it coming.  I need all the help I can get!