Chic Fireplace Update

    By Schmitz, Sheila

    A reconfigured hearth transforms a large, cold room into an intimate retreat

    A COZY LOUNGE reminiscent of a martini bar was Pasadena homeowner Carolyn Powers's wish. The reality, however, was a charmless room with a dated fireplace covered in brick and hand-painted drywall.

    To achieve her dream of a glamorous hideaway, Powers turned to designer Jennifer Charleston, who began by extending the fireplace 6 feet along the wall and adding a mantel and storage cubby for firewood. Charleston also divided the room with a sheer curtain, hung from a recessed track, that tucks into a slit in the wall when not in use. The fireplace now works as the unifying factor for the multifunctional space.

    INFO Design: Jennifer Charleston, Twenty7 Design Workshop, Los Angeles (www.twenty7.com or 213/622-7830). More resources: See page 121.

    BEFORE A traditional brick fireplace with hand-painted drywall dominated the 14- by 36-foot front room in this 1950s starter home. The fireplace wasn't large enough to serve as a focal point in the room. AFTER Now the hearth creates an inviting place to hang out with friends.

    What makes it work

    Here are designer Jennifer Charleston's essential ingredients for creating this look.

    SIMPLICITY The earthy palette warms the room. A custom fireplace screen of copper mesh (Wilshire Fireplace Shops, www. wilshirefireplace.com) allows the fire to take center stage. The grain of the fir plank mantel is still visible under a dark espresso stain. Accents used sparingly make for an uncluttered feel.

    VARIED TEXTURES The plaster on the fireplace wall (similar Antiqua finishes from Vero Venetian Plaster, www.vero-rialto.com or 714/637-7341) was left unpolished for a warm, suedelike finish. Glass mosaic tiles (Bisazza, www.bisazzausa.com) in brown, bronze, burgundy, and white gleam in the firelight. The curtain adds softness and variable degrees of privacy and connection.

    FUNCTIONALITY The reconfigured space serves multiple purposes: party zone and retreat space. The low table can hold coffee cups or dinner; the mantel doubles as a ledge for cocktails.

    Copyright Sunset Publishing Corporation Jan 2007

    (c) 2007 Sunset. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.