Before and After: 6 Dramatic Fireplace Makeovers
See how designers refresh the look of a fireplace with everything from a simple paint job to a new stone surround
Fireplaces are a wonderful asset in any home, especially this time of year. But when different looks fall out of favor or don’t suit a homeowner’s personal style, they can be an eyesore. These six fireplace makeovers range from a simple change like painting the bricks to a major transformation such as a new two-story-high stone surround (with a niche piled extra high with wood for a photo shoot). Check out how six designers dramatically changed a space with a fireplace makeover, and see if they inspire any ideas for your own.
After: With the new light and cheery design, the brick fireplace surround looked too busy and dingy. Jones painted it to tone it down and suit the new style. She painted the hearth tiles in the same color for a cohesive look.
What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick
What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick
2. New Mantel, New Look for a Colonial Revival in New Jersey
Before: When it comes to style, these New Jersey homeowners lean modern bohemian. They hired designers Jessica Geller and Virginia Toledo of Toledo Geller to transform their traditional Colonial Revival home to better reflect their personalities. The existing mantel encroached on the windows that flank the fireplace, which made for an awkward focal point.
Before: When it comes to style, these New Jersey homeowners lean modern bohemian. They hired designers Jessica Geller and Virginia Toledo of Toledo Geller to transform their traditional Colonial Revival home to better reflect their personalities. The existing mantel encroached on the windows that flank the fireplace, which made for an awkward focal point.
After: While the brick fireplace surround remained in place, removing the mantel and wrapping the brick with a dark wood frame provided a sleeker, more proportional look. The frame is solid smoked walnut that draws the eye and establishes the fireplace as a worthy focal point.
Shop for a mantel
Shop for a mantel
3. Coastal Vibe in British Columbia
Before: This family of four’s cottage is just a little more than a mile from the beach in Vancouver, British Columbia. But its fusty and dark interiors didn’t suit the coastal location the family wanted to celebrate. The dark brick fireplace surround, terra-cotta tile hearth, heavy wood and dated glass doors weren’t highlighting the fireplace as the fabulous focal point the homeowners knew it could be. Designer Lori Steeves stepped in to lighten the room, make it function better and embrace the beach.
Before: This family of four’s cottage is just a little more than a mile from the beach in Vancouver, British Columbia. But its fusty and dark interiors didn’t suit the coastal location the family wanted to celebrate. The dark brick fireplace surround, terra-cotta tile hearth, heavy wood and dated glass doors weren’t highlighting the fireplace as the fabulous focal point the homeowners knew it could be. Designer Lori Steeves stepped in to lighten the room, make it function better and embrace the beach.
After: The renovations included opening up the ceiling, which called for the fireplace to have a bigger presence. Steeves replaced the brick surround with a beautiful gray-blue ceramic tile from Ann Sacks. She took out the terra-cotta hearth and inserted a coordinating quartz. The new wood mantel and surround have a larger presence that stands up to the vaulted ceiling’s height. White paint lends an easy-breezy coastal vibe.
The space serves as both living room and family room, and the homeowners opted to install a TV over the fireplace. But its large, dark screen took away from the beauty of the fireplace, so Steeves designed bifold doors on a track to cover it — they tuck out of sight on either side of the TV when open. When not watching TV, the family can slide the doors closed with ease.
Learn more about this home
Learn more about this home
4. Midcentury Modern Makeover for a California Home
Before: These Fairfax, California, homeowners tasked architect Craig O’Connell with giving their dated 1950s home a more midcentury modern vibe. The existing interiors were traditional, especially the fireplace and paneling on the wall. Both elements made the living room feel dark, and the homeowners were craving light and breezy.
Before: These Fairfax, California, homeowners tasked architect Craig O’Connell with giving their dated 1950s home a more midcentury modern vibe. The existing interiors were traditional, especially the fireplace and paneling on the wall. Both elements made the living room feel dark, and the homeowners were craving light and breezy.
After: O’Connell kept the original bricks but had the mantel and paneling removed. He added matching brick tiles to extend the fireplace surround up to the ceiling, then painted them all white. A new slim Douglas fir mantel suits the airy space, bringing a touch of warm wood to the minimalist fireplace.
O’Connell replaced the awkward original gas unit with a self-contained closed fireplace that burns gas. This new system allowed him to remove the existing hearth tiles and run new engineered wood flooring right up to the edge of the firebox. On the inside of the fireplace are smooth river stones and driftwood-like artificial logs. Please note that the glass fireplace cover, required by safety codes, is not shown here because it wasn’t installed until after the photo shoot.
Learn more about this house
O’Connell replaced the awkward original gas unit with a self-contained closed fireplace that burns gas. This new system allowed him to remove the existing hearth tiles and run new engineered wood flooring right up to the edge of the firebox. On the inside of the fireplace are smooth river stones and driftwood-like artificial logs. Please note that the glass fireplace cover, required by safety codes, is not shown here because it wasn’t installed until after the photo shoot.
Learn more about this house
5. From Tired and Busy to Calming and Elegant in a Dallas Bedroom
Before: This Dallas couple hired interior designer Dona Rosene to transform their bedroom suite into a relaxing retreat. The existing fireplace bricks had a range of hues, including orange, that made it too busy and bold for the ethereal feel they were after. And the lacquered brass accents were dated.
Before: This Dallas couple hired interior designer Dona Rosene to transform their bedroom suite into a relaxing retreat. The existing fireplace bricks had a range of hues, including orange, that made it too busy and bold for the ethereal feel they were after. And the lacquered brass accents were dated.
After: The builders left the original brick in place and covered it in a concrete floater coat. Then they installed sheets of a beautiful ivory and gray stacked stone called Rock Ridge ledger stone. The material looks similar to Texas limestone from the region.
Removing the brick that extended onto the wall on the right would have made a mess. So the homeowners opted to have that brick covered with drywall. Then they mounted a new TV, leaving room for a chest of drawers beneath it.
Find a local fireplace contractor
Removing the brick that extended onto the wall on the right would have made a mess. So the homeowners opted to have that brick covered with drywall. Then they mounted a new TV, leaving room for a chest of drawers beneath it.
Find a local fireplace contractor
Contractor Paul Zuch of Capital Renovations Group tipped off the homeowners to a great deal available at a local stone yard. They picked up a gorgeous Sea Pearl quartzite remnant, which was large enough to cut two L-shaped pieces from — one for around the base of the firebox and one for the floor (required by fire code). The veining and colors in the quartzite look beautiful with the stone surround.
The homeowners removed the screen and brass trim and spray-painted them black. They also spray-painted the support pole at the front corner of the firebox. The contractor painted the inside of the firebox a light gray to match the stone. He used a spray paint made to withstand heat, and the homeowners note that it hasn’t become discolored with use.
See more of this space
The homeowners removed the screen and brass trim and spray-painted them black. They also spray-painted the support pole at the front corner of the firebox. The contractor painted the inside of the firebox a light gray to match the stone. He used a spray paint made to withstand heat, and the homeowners note that it hasn’t become discolored with use.
See more of this space
6. Creamy Refresh for a Tall Stone Fireplace in Indiana
Before: This Chicago couple hired Linc Thelen to transform a dated contemporary home in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, into an inviting gathering spot for their extended family. This great room serves as the heart of the home. But the tall span of dark stones made the fireplace more imposing than enticing. Because the fireplace can be seen from the entry and kitchen, transforming it was a critical part of giving the space a warm and welcoming feel.
Before: This Chicago couple hired Linc Thelen to transform a dated contemporary home in Rolling Prairie, Indiana, into an inviting gathering spot for their extended family. This great room serves as the heart of the home. But the tall span of dark stones made the fireplace more imposing than enticing. Because the fireplace can be seen from the entry and kitchen, transforming it was a critical part of giving the space a warm and welcoming feel.
After: Thelen used a palette of warm, earthy colors and natural textures throughout the home. He covered the existing stone in a cultured cut stone that resembles sandstone. The surround’s cream and tan hues subtly contrast with the white walls and play off the tones in the distressed white oak flooring.
Thelen removed the original chunky hearth ledge and replaced it with one that matches the firebox surround. He also added a dramatic niche for firewood. This adds the texture of wood to the wall. He lined the niche with the fireplace’s original dark stone as a nod to the home’s history. Although the niche is filled high with wood for this photo, the homeowners maintain a lower stack of wood for ease of use and to reveal the stone.
Learn more about this home
Your turn: Are you considering a fireplace renovation? If so, please post photos, as well as what you’d like to change about it, in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Browse thousands of photos of fireplaces
Hire a local architect
Shop for a fireplace
Thelen removed the original chunky hearth ledge and replaced it with one that matches the firebox surround. He also added a dramatic niche for firewood. This adds the texture of wood to the wall. He lined the niche with the fireplace’s original dark stone as a nod to the home’s history. Although the niche is filled high with wood for this photo, the homeowners maintain a lower stack of wood for ease of use and to reveal the stone.
Learn more about this home
Your turn: Are you considering a fireplace renovation? If so, please post photos, as well as what you’d like to change about it, in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Browse thousands of photos of fireplaces
Hire a local architect
Shop for a fireplace
Sponsored
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting gallery. 270 locations nationwide!
Before: Designer Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors helped this Pittsburgh family of four transform its uninspired living room into a cheerful gathering place. The family loved the Craftsman details in the home but wanted help making the space feel more inviting. By sharing Houzz ideabooks with the homeowners, Jones determined that the husband was drawn to rustic and industrial style while the wife liked transitional looks.
Find an interior designer on Houzz