decisions, decisions…

I think I mentioned that we were planning to install a fireplace in the living room. Thus, with that in mind, I have wasted nearly an entire day planning what it might look like because I am the world’s worst imaginer. I really really need to see it to understand it. Thus, I present to you (if I can get it to work) a sample of what it might look like. As you can see, there are a plethora of options.

Option 1: The easiest, most likely, and least favourite. The corner. Although it wouldn’t be quite so yellow.

Option 2: This one may be structurally impossible. If it is possible, it would be see through and a little bigger.

Option 3: The original plan. Not so highly favoured, but also very easy to install. Not favoured because furniture would be problematic to arrange around it.

Option 4: Same idea, but a super-basic, ie cheaper version. Not as spiff.

Option 5: A new twist on a classic. I kinda like it although it has some drawbacks. 1) not everyone would like it and resale might be much more difficult 2) heat rises and since it’s already up, the area below it might still be cool/chilly 3) the couch would be more or less in front of it and whoever was sitting there might have a super-toasty head, dunno. These are all “mights.” It’s hard to tell.

Option 6: This has the same possible drawbacks as option 5. This one was very difficult to photoshop because it has a pane of glass in front of it and so I couldn’t take out the white background. Obviously ours would have red under it. It’s interesting though.

Option 7: Surprise! This wasn’t/isn’t at all in the plan, but I just had a brainwave. I thought, why are we trying so hard to put a fireplace in the living room when we keep saying the kitchen is the coldest room in the house? Plus, how nifty is it to have a fireplace in the kitchen. This is actually a woodstove. (It’s also a photoshop composite of 3 photos so it might look a little odd.) Drawbacks: 1) David is entirely unconvinced. 2) I am not completely in love with it either. 3) Why? Because I thought we were putting a banquette/booth/couch&table there. We could put a b/b/c&t on the back of the island facing the stove, I suppose. Positive: This could actually burn wood. Any fireplace in the living room would absolutely have to be a vent-free gas unit since we have no way to vent it. This could have the stovepipe exit right out the side of the house onto the deck.

And now since I have indeed spent a ridiculous amount of time on this (but I now know how to photoshop like a super-star), I will go. Please, everyone within eyeball range of this, vote because I just really have no idea.

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Published:: 02.14.09 / 6pm

Dad and Mom Baxter 02.15.09 / 10am

Dad here. I go with Option 2 and Option 1 in that order. Option 2 is more “central” to the entire downstairs; Option 1 is near the front door and may cut down the chill from that aperture. I don’t like any of the versions on the red wall because of what it does to “traffic” circulation in the living room and dining room. But, hey, I have the imagination of a walnut so don’t listen to anything I say! I am quite sure ta Mere will weigh in later! Love and hugs/

dbanga 02.15.09 / 12pm

The furniture wouldn’t be arranged how it is in any of the photos. I simply shoved it out of the way to get a clear photo of the walls. It wouldn’t block traffic flow necessarily at all.

Gail Baxter 02.15.09 / 5pm

I kinda like options 1 and 2 because it doesn’t sit on the main wall and is out of the way. The wood stove idea is cool too. Reminds me of a farmhouse. Good luck with your decision!

Andy Banga 02.16.09 / 4pm

Dave,

For option two you have to find out if there is a header across the archway. If there is no header it is not a load bearing wall and you can remove as much as you want. If there is a header you will have to extend it past where the fireplace will come to.

dbanga 02.17.09 / 6pm

my smart brother is, of course, right. and as that wall goes all the way to the roof (cathedral ceiling in there) i’m fairly certain it is load bearing. there is a way around this, but not one that i’m willing to do, i think. option 2 is the most problematic and least likely, though i think it is groovy.

christina 02.19.09 / 6pm

Hey all. I like Option 2 the best, but I would put it on the other side of the opening. Just like it better, and it would be a nice view from the entry way.

Option 1 is second choice, but I would put in the kitty-corner corner. (Did you get that?) That way furniture arranged around it would be more inclusive to the dining room. (And it’s still a nice view from the entryway.)

Note on option 5: As Troy is fond of saying, hot air rises, but heat radiates in all directions. You may not lose as much in the downward direction as you think. A fireplace mounted in the wall is spiffy but I admit I would miss my “spot” sitting in front of it. (Could you mount a high seat on the wall for me??)

From one whose mind is forced to address similar issues.

troy 02.21.09 / 3pm

I actually like option 1.

Option 2 would also be cool, especially if you don’t have to make a huge freaking hole in the wall to install the huge freaking new header.

I will never speak out against the woodstove option, and would point out that that have some very nice and decorative and efficient small stoves that wouldn’t eat up you whole kitchen. A small upright soapstone stove would look beautiful in there.

Finest regards,

troy

Baxter Banga Blog

decisions, decisions…

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