Fireplaces Redesigned
![A warm knotty cedar wood living and dining area features a white custom-designed ribbon fireplace with a black hearth. A midcentury modern stool in white sits atop a fluffy grey faux fur in front of the fire. To the left, the dining area features a tiered white glass chandelier and a modern twisted white-topped pedestal table with grey-blue dining chairs. A large sliding glass door leads to the outside deck.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-AFTER-Cabin-Living-Room-580x387.jpg)
As the seasons change to autumn and winter, I always want to cozy up to a warm fireplace, especially as the holidays approach. There’s nothing nicer than gathering around a fireplace with friends and family and a hot cup of cocoa. Today I’m sharing two of my fireplace redesigns!
![A tiny black potbelly stove sits on slate flooring in front of knotty wood walls with a cabin feel. Two folding chairs flank the stove.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-BEFORE-Potbelly.jpg)
This cute home in a San Francisco neighborhood has a cabin-y feel, with the knotty cedar wood paneling. While the potbelly stove does go with the environment, the client wanted a more modern, updated look.
![The knotty cedar wood wall paneling in this living room is accented by the white custom-designed ribbon fireplace with a black hearth. A midcentury modern stool in white sits atop a fluffy grey faux fur in front of the fire. A piece of artwork in black and white hangs above the fireplace, and two sculptural vases decorate the hearth.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-AFTER-Cabin-Ribbon-Fireplace-580x835.jpg)
I custom-designed this simple, contemporary fireplace to be beautiful and also provide a place to display art. The raised hearth makes it easier to tend the fire without having to bend to the floor. I added a mid-century stool and faux fur rug to extend the warmth further into the room and invite you to stoke the fire.
![Looking from inside the kitchen towards the fireplace, we see a large silver fridge, white cabinetry with blue backsplash, white marble countertops and island, clear lucite counter chairs, white oak flooring, and the knotty cedar wood paneling by the fireplace at the far end.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-AFTER-Cabin-View-from-Kitchen-580x838.jpg)
The fireplace can be seen from nearly every room on this floor, so it was important that it fit in with the surrounding spaces. My client is delighted and so am I!
![A dated-looking moss-green boxed fireplace has a multi-colored surround and black fireplace insert, flanked by black folding chairs and a white folding table, a black standing lamp, and an old window air conditioner above the door to the patio.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-BEFORE-Midcentury-Moroccan-Living-Room-580x326.jpg)
In another project, this San Francisco loft was not being shown at its best by its dated fireplace and surround.
![In the dramatic after, we see the custom-designed corner fireplace surround in a light wood, accented with a stripe of green pattern. In the center of the room, a tan curved modular sofa is covered in multi-colored and patterned pillows, sitting atop a wildly patterned yellow and black rug, a red console table sits underneath a wall-mounted television, with double-height yellow-gold draperies flanking the tall windows, and multiple white glass pendant lights hang nearby a pair of brass teardrop pendant lights.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-AFTER-Moroccan-Midcentury-Living-Room-Above-580x775.jpg)
For a dramatic ‘after’, now the fireplace is a feature that makes use of the theatrical high ceilings.
![A closer, human-height view of the custom-designed corner fireplace surround in a light wood, accented with a stripe of green pattern. The tan curved modular sofa is buried in multi-colored and patterned pillows, sitting atop a wildly patterned yellow and black rug, while a shiny red console table sits underneath a wall-mounted television, with double-height yellow-gold draperies flanking the tall windows to the rear. A pair of brass teardrop pendant lights hang low above the seating area.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Fireplace-Before-and-After-AFTER-Moroccan-Midcentury-Living-Room-580x775.jpg)
A closer view shows how cozy the living room is, a multi-textured seating area that celebrates pattern and color akin to a Moroccan bazaar, with a corner fireplace that extends comfort and complements the space.
Kimball Starr designs beautiful homes with welcoming fireplaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation!