Gas Fireplace "insert" question

[CalvertNewbie]

I hope I can word this so it makes sense. Since we moved into this house 2 years ago, I've absolutely hated the way our fireplaces look. It's really only the "insert" that doesn't match our decorating style. The hearths and mantels aren't hateful. I've always had wood burning fireplaces so this is new to me.

I wonder if I need to replace the whole thing or if I can just replace the face? They are black with gold metal on them. We've been slowly replacing all gold doorknobs, light fixtures, bath fixtures, etc throughout the house with brushed nickel. We've also replaced most of the gold "boob lights" with recessed lighting. Anyone have any recommendations for me?

 

[GWguy]

I hope I can word this so it makes sense. Since we moved into this house 2 years ago, I've absolutely hated the way our fireplaces look. It's really only the "insert" that doesn't match our decorating style. The hearths and mantels aren't hateful. I've always had wood burning fireplaces so this is new to me.

I wonder if I need to replace the whole thing or if I can just replace the face? They are black with gold metal on them. We've been slowly replacing all gold doorknobs, light fixtures, bath fixtures, etc throughout the house with brushed nickel. We've also replaced most of the gold "boob lights" with recessed lighting. Anyone have any recommendations for me?

That depends entirely on who made the insert. Get the make/model and see if they have parts available on a web, or call the service desk.

As a last resort, replace the entire gas insert with one you like.

 

[BadGirl]

Of course you can just place the "face" and mantle of your gas fireplace. We're intersted in doing the same thing.

I'd like to check out some nice cabinetry from Dean Lumber or the like to see if I can find something out of their stock items that would compliment my decor, or if I'd need to have something specially made.

I have a concept in my head of what I want, but haven't actually seen anything to match. In my head, I envision a low fireplace with cabinets on both sides, a contemporary mantle, then a built-in look upper cabinet that would be appropriate for a flat screen tv. I need a little separation from the fireplace to the tv, so that the heat won't damage the screen/internal components, but you get the point.....

If you find something similar, let me know!

Oh, for a quick fix, get a can of spray point that is formulated for high temperatures and you can go to town on the brass fixtures, if you want. Or a spray paint that simulates a nickle finish would be nice, also.

 

[Animal]

Why not get some pewter high temp stove paint?

 

[GWguy]

A little , but when I was in Lowes I saw a new version of the electric heater. It's a wall mounted mirror with a heater built in and still has the fake flames. Kinda neat.

The high temp paint ideas are good.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

Of course you can just place the "face" and mantle of your gas fireplace. We're intersted in doing the same thing.

I'd like to check out some nice cabinetry from Dean Lumber or the like to see if I can find something out of their stock items that would compliment my decor, or if I'd need to have something specially made.

I have a concept in my head of what I want, but haven't actually seen anything to match. In my head, I envision a low fireplace with cabinets on both sides, a contemporary mantle, then a built-in look upper cabinet that would be appropriate for a flat screen tv. I need a little separation from the fireplace to the tv, so that the heat won't damage the screen/internal components, but you get the point.....

If you find something similar, let me know!

Oh, for a quick fix, get a can of spray point that is formulated for high temperatures and you can go to town on the brass fixtures, if you want. Or a spray paint that simulates a nickle finish would be nice, also.

That sounds really nice, we have very contemporary taste also. I watch DIY network & HGTV daily, I have plenty of ideas if money was no object. Our livingroom fireplace has tile around it and a decent mantle. The kitchen fireplace has a decent wood surround w/ mantle that looks ok (I plan to stain it cherry to match the cabinets). It's just those black/gold inserts that look crappy.

I had originally been thinking of getting pewter colored paint to spray over the gold, figured they made something that would work. Thanks for the suggestion, Animal. I figured if I screwed it up and/or it looked horrible, I'd have no choice but to replace it. Not so sure how pewter would look with the black but it can't look worse.

 

[Animal]

There are a variety of colors you could go with, pewter is the closest to what I vision as brushed nickel.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

A little , but when I was in Lowes I saw a new version of the electric heater. It's a wall mounted mirror with a heater built in and still has the fake flames. Kinda neat.

The high temp paint ideas are good.

Sounds different. I'm gonna take a look at them when I go to Lowes, out of curiosity.

I'll continue with the . I'm gonna buy some cherry colored wood stain sometime this week. Any recommendations for brands? Will be staining a fireplace surround and 4 counter chairs before it gets too cold out. Both are light wood and I want to match them to the cabinets and dining set. I'll be sanding away after hubby takes off the fireplace surround (he doesn't know that's been added to his honey-do list yet, lol). Can I use spray stain or does stain in the can work better? Never used the spray stuff.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

There are a variety of colors you could go with, pewter is the closest to what I vision as brushed nickel.

I think you're right, pewter would match well. Thanks!

 

[Proud_Nana]

Bad Girl - I have the type of concept you are envisioning, if you would like to see it; I could send you a picture.

 

[Cowgirl]

"boob lights"

That's what I call them too!

 

[BadGirl]

Bad Girl - I have the type of concept you are envisioning, if you would like to see it; I could send you a picture.

Oh, please do. I'd love to see it.

 

[Pandora]

A little , but when I was in Lowes I saw a new version of the electric heater. It's a wall mounted mirror with a heater built in and still has the fake flames. Kinda neat.

The high temp paint ideas are good.

A friend of mine put one in her house and that little sucker can throw out some heat!

Calvertnewbie,

I didn't even know they had spray stain in a can. I've just never seen it. Is it new?

 

[CalvertNewbie]

That's what I call them too!

When hubby & I looked at this house he said "holy boob lights, we're gonna need to change all the lights in this house if we buy it!" The realtor & I almost fell over laughing so hard because of the way he said it. The really bad thing about it is that we have a rambler with a very long hallway & they were all down the hall & foyer, about 9 of them! Not to mention throughout the rest of the house too.

A friend of mine put one in her house and that little sucker can throw out some heat!

Calvertnewbie,

I didn't even know they had spray stain in a can. I've just never seen it. Is it new?

Actually, I'm not sure. I've never used it but I saw it at Ace Hardware when I bought some unfinished Adirondack chairs a few months ago. A woman told me she had just bought the chairs with the spray stain a week earlier & that the chairs came out really nice. Ace had advertised the chairs with the spray stain too. Seems a lot easier but I just don't know that they would look as well done. Maybe I'll buy a can & test it out on a piece of spare wood. :shrug: I haven't stained anything, other than a deck at the old house, in many years.