skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Home Decorating
jakabedy

Fireplace transformation

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago

I posted the virtual tour of the old MCM house in Birmingham, so thought I would stick with the momentum and post something about the new house. Where the old house was open and bright, the current home is cozy and more private. Our house in Santa Fe isn't in the tony "East Side" alongside Shirley MacLaine and Tom Ford. No, we're in a ca. 1960 home about two miles from downtown. But it's cute, with hardwoods, plaster walls, wood ceilings and vigas throughout. It was also "done" in the way of kitchen and baths -- we didn't have any big projects to undertake right away.

Most of the homes our builder did had cute kiva fireplaces in the corners like this (from a current listing nearby):

But, somehow, inexplicably, a little bit of the Midwest found its way into our house. I really wanted a kiva, but this house ticked every other box, so, we wound up with this:

Not that there's anything wrong with a simple red brick fireplace, but . . . so I started looking at photos, obsessing, of course, over the proper course of action to take. Now, after a year, the crew got started yesterday. This is the scratch coat, and it will be finished with smooth plaster like the rest of the walls, but -- voila! The Southwest has arrived!

Hubby picked out the chunk of wood for the mantel and I'm happy with the simple canted design we went with. It needs to cure for a few days and they'll be back next week for the finishing. It will be finished a shade darker than the walls (no sense in trying to match exactly -- we know how that always turns out) and we'll leave the mantel light, to match the rest of the wood.

Featured Answer
  • 11 years ago

    I actually like your new fireplace better than a kiva. Let's face it, kiva's are rather ubiquitous but yours has a style that suits your space and your geographical location. Well done.

    Comments (28)

    Related Stories
    BEFORE AND AFTERS15 Dramatic Fireplace Transformations
    By Bryan Anthony
    Tired of your old fireplace? Get inspired by these before-and-after photos for living room style all year
    Full Story
    58
    PATIOSTerraces, New Plantings and Basketball Transform a D.C. Backyard
    By Becky Harris
    Bluestone and brick surfaces, a fireplace, a green-and-white plant palette and a new sports court suit a family’s outdoor lifestyle
    Full Story
    24
    INSIDE HOUZZInside Houzz: Refaced Cabinets Transform a Kitchen
    By Annie Thornton
    No walls came down. No windows were added. But this once-dark kitchen looks completely different, thanks to bright new surfaces
    Full Story
    93
    BEFORE AND AFTERSSee a DIY Powder Room Transformation for $1,100
    By Mitchell Parker
    Determination, DIY skill and a stunning tile feature wall helped make this formerly dark and gloomy powder room feel spacious
    Full Story
    97
    COLORPaint Your Bookcases to Transform Your Room
    By Laura Gaskill
    Give your shelves some color for a whole new look. Here are 10 examples, from subtle to bold, and some styling tips to try
    Full Story
    89
    BEFORE AND AFTERSRadical Makeover Scoop — See a New York Home's Fantastic Transformation
    By Bud Dietrich, AIA
    How much can you change a home's personality without moving or tearing the whole thing down? Completely, it turns out
    Full Story
    46
    HOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: Thrifty TLC Transforms a Beach Bungalow
    By Annie Thornton
    A California architect finds ‘the perfect mix of potential and a dump,’ and gets right to work
    Full Story
    125
    FARMHOUSESHouzz Tour: A Scottish Farmhouse Creatively Transformed
    By Jo Simmons
    A dilapidated stone cottage and barn are reimagined as a contemporary home, inspired by the landscape
    Full Story
    104
    HOMES AROUND THE WORLDHouzz Tour: See the Amazing Transformation of This 18th-Century Home
    By Jo Simmons
    Dramatic ‘before and after’ photos of a beautiful Georgian home in London tell the tale of an abandoned hospital restored to glory
    Full Story
    183
    KITCHEN DESIGNDIY Spirit and $8,700 Transform a Townhouse Kitchen
    By Mitchell Parker
    The Spanos taught themselves some remodeling tricks, created a Houzz ideabook and then got to work on their kitchen makeover
    Full Story
    113
    Sponsored
    J.Holderby - Renovations
    Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars4 Reviews
    Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!
    More Discussions
    help me style this awkward space
    13
    Kitchen Nook Finishing Ideas
    5
    Kitchen Curtains
    13
    CASED OPEN IN THE WALL
    4
    How do I get rid of the check mark in the message field?
    1