Suggestions for blending mismatching fireplace stone

last year

last modified: last year

Our stacked stone fireplace was installed, and looks pretty good overall, but the right corner pieces appear to be from a different lot, and have a dark zipper effect on the right side. I was curious if anyone had suggestions\techniques for possibly blending those stones a little better.

We do know an artist who does a pretty good job at painting stones, which we are considering attempting, but are looking for other alternatives.

The builder is going to ask the stone company, and floated potentially replacing the stones, but I am worried that trying to replace the corner pieces now may end up with noticeable gaps\alignment issues.

(please ignore the middle stone, that is going to be expanded to support a 36" mount)

Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

JAN MOYER

last year

last modified: last year

How hard can it be to test a few at the bottom. ? I'd have already tried it. : )

Perfection is the enemy of the good.

Note: I agree with all others, that the entire order should have been checked prior to install. But not all builder subs are equal, and if you want it done right? You do inspection, yourself. If they won't let you , put you off?

You say " Results and any mistake or disappointment dollars are yours.: ) )"

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Comments (10)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Replace the stone. The stacked stone should be irregular enough to not have issues with alignment.

Yes you could paint it but the paint will change over time and be more noticeable IMO.
bt thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PRO
JAN MOYER
last year
Get some German schmear, test at the bottom and do ONLY the dark bricks. Then ? If it blends those out? Stop staring: )

Not worth the risk of replacing.

Dotted ,or close, my ink is fading
bt thanked JAN MOYER
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bt
Original Author
last year
Thank you, Jan!

This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping existed, but didn't know what it would be called. We can try it around the corner on the side first, which isn't really visible in the room anyways.
frootloopdiy
last year
That's a bummer. Sorry this doesn't answer your question but the installer should've stopped. As a DIYer when I did my fireplace I layed everything out on the floor first. We ordered stone several times for this exact reason and it was never a match. I ended up mitering the corners on the whole thing. Luckily not as big as yours!
bt thanked frootloopdiy
dani_m08
last year
Well, that is really unfortunate. It would really bother me - so, I'd tell my builder that he/she has to have it fixed. If Jan's idea works - that would be great. However, if it doesn't (seems like there should be a way to blend those corner pieces 🤞🏻), I would make them replace the stone. If it can't be done in a manner that doesn't leave gaps - then they will have to replace all of it.

As frootloopdiy stated above, the installer should have checked the color lot #s on the right corner pieces to make sure that they were from the same run as the rest of the stone. That is part of his/her job when installing stone or tile.

Whatever the fix is - just make sure that you are completely happy - or it will bug you every day. If Jan's method makes it very close - I'd settle for a good sized discount $$ - the last thing your builder wants is to have to rip out all of the stone + install new stone = expensive.
bt thanked dani_m08
millworkman
last year
Anything applied topically will never blend in and probably stick out worse. Do over or live with it.
bt thanked millworkman
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Sorry but IMO the wrong choice period for a FP but now NO WAY would I try to fix it . By the time the TV is installed and the room is decorated only you will see the mismatch and honestly any try at fixing it will be 10x worse and for sure no schmear on those stones ever
chispa
last year
I would get the artist to come and touch-up those stones. Once he figures out the right color match/mix, he'll be done in no time.
Maureen
last year
Do you have any stones left of the darker shade and experiment on them instead; then make up your mind. Maybe wait until the fireplace and shelves are accessorized to see if it’s less noticeable as the eye won’t go there first (if at all).