Q: We live in the Northeast and recently bought an older home. There is a wood stove in the house, which apparently really helps keep heating costs lower in the wintertime, which is a great asset with rising gas costs. The problem is that it is such an eyesore and takes up a lot more space than we would like. We have a lot of projects we want to tackle in our new home and want to go through a couple winters with the woodstove and see just how efficient it is at heating before we even think about removing it or switching to something else. In the meantime, is there anything we can do to make it more attractive or less obvious? The stove itself is not super old but the black is very matte and drab. The brass accents look really dated. The brick around it is darker and too red to really fit with our other furniture and decor.
A.We understand what you mean about the ever-soaring gas prices and agree that a wood or coal stove can be a great way to keep those costs down. Unfortunately, as with your situation, many of the stoves are large, cumbersome, and not the most attractive focal point, especially if they are in your main living or family room! One thing we would suggest doing, if you haven’t already, is to arrange the furniture in that room to avoid having the stove BE a focal point. Having your furniture oriented so it faces the opposite direction, when possible, is very helpful. Otherwise, even if the woodstove is off to the side, it’s better than if you are sitting and staring right at it. Next, consider your furniture and décor and what your theme leans toward: farmhouse, industrial, traditional, modern, rustic, boho, and so on. Then decide on what your budget is for improving the look of your stove and also the amount of time you want to invest in the project if doing the work yourself, or if working with a contractor, the timeframe you would like to (realistically) have the project finished in, so you have some ideas when getting estimates and discussing your project.
The quickest way to change the look of your woodstove — besides buying a brand new one and replacing it — is to paint it. There are good products out there created specifically for use on high heat surfaces such as stoves, grills, engines and similar. If you plan to paint the stove yourself, make sure you purchase the correct product for your surface — some stoves are steel, some cast iron, some soap stone, and some ceramic porcelain. Each type will have different requirements for the products used to clean it, which must be done thoroughly before starting any painting project. You also need to consider if there is any rust or bubbling or flaking of any sort, which needs proper sanding. Most stoves will need a primer designed for high heat surfaces, but some don’t so make sure you research your specific type of stove and the products you plan to use. If you don’t like the matte finish on your stove, you should be able to choose from satin, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes. There are even paints for getting rid of that brass so popular in the ’80’s, or any other accents or hardware you don’t like.
Once you have chosen a color that works in your space, consider the colors and materials in the surround. If you don’t care for the colors of brick used in yours, a trending method in renovating right now is white-washing or gray-washing it. This is an especially good choice if your decorating style is rustic, farmhouse, or even boho. You could cover the brick with stone or ceramic tile, and also lay down natural slate pavers around the stove’s base and/or surround. You want to keep decorations to a minimum, especially if you are wanting to keep the eye from constantly being drawn to the area. However, there are a few things you can do to improve the aesthetic without going overboard. Some people put large kettles on their stoves, some with water and potpourri in it. Depending on your decorating style, you can use an extra-large basket or copper or galvanized bin to store firewood. A few lanterns or tall candles in staggered sizes are also a nice feature to have around the base of your woodstove or in the background.
Keep in mind that there are different cure rates depending on your surface and the product used, so we recommend doing plenty of research if doing the work yourself. Otherwise, hire a qualified professional such as our crew at Taylor Painting, and we would be happy to give you a free estimate on your project!
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