Around this time last year, we were packing up my condo and getting ready to move in to our first home (along with wedding planning). It has been QUITE an adventure!
Next up was the fireplace makeover. Another messy project that I wish we’d done before painting, but oh well, live and learn. As you see from the before picture, it was very… beige. Along with everything else in the house. While I can appreciate beige for its neutrality, it wasn’t the look we were going for. There was no contrast other than the white mantle, and no character at such a focal point in the house.
First we removed the tile that surrounded the fireplace and hearth and then removed the mantle. We made the wall where the fireplace sits a dark gray accent wall and I loved the idea of a white and light gray fireplace as a contrast to the dark gray.
I found this stacked stone tile that I loved for the fireplace, and a Carrera marble for the hearth.
We loved how the tile turned out, but now what? Yeah we hadn’t thought about that yet. Oops.
It sat in this transition state for a good bit. Months later, we had a handyman over helping us with some non related odds and ends and he asked if we still had the original mantle, and if so, had we thought about putting it back up? Yes we did, and no we hadn’t! I’m not sure why it was still in the garage, as we had no intention of ever using it again. Thank god we were still in the hoarding stage with the some of the remodel rubble.
When we replaced the tile we had lowered the height so he suggested cutting height off the legs of the mantle surround. Sure enough, he carried it in, tried it, and SUCCESS!
And that is the after for our fireplace makeover. What do you think?
P.S. Please note my “capri” curtains. 😉 We’ve since lowered the rods so the curtains touch the floor.
Stay warm out there for those of you bracing for Polar Vortex round 2!
Chris says
Looks beautiful Lydia!
Lydia says
Thanks so much Chris! xo
Electric Fireplace says
Have you tried opening diverse doors and windows? We once had a fireplace that would only stop smoking when we opened the bathroom window – three rooms away and with all doors closed. Our current fireplace only has a good “tirage” when the living-room door is ajar. Not when it’s closed and not when it’s wide open…
Lydia says
It actually doesn’t work because the gas that is connected to it got covered up with the floor so we can’t access it to turn it on. 🙁 Thanks for the suggestion, though! 🙂
Laura Flicker says
Do you know the brand of the mantel or where it was purchased?
Lydia says
Hi Laura! I’m sorry, unfortunately I don’t. It was here when we moved in and I don’t have a way to contact the previous owner.
Ann Marie says
Hi I love the mirror!! Can I ask where it’s from??
Ann Marie
Lydia says
Thanks Ann Marie! Of course! I got it at Joann a few years ago so hopefully they still have it. 🙂
Kn says
Hi
It looks beautiful but does the white stone or white marble get dirty when you use the fireplace? I love the look but not sure it will stay white when we use fireplace. Please advise. Thank you
Lydia says
Hi there! We have a gas fireplace so the flame is well contained so it hasn’t gotten dirty. Unfortunately I can’t speak for a woodturning fireplace but when I bought it they told me it would be fine. Thanks for stopping by!
Jackie says
Was it hard to get the mantle off without damaging it?
Lydia says
Hi Jackie! It did get a little banged up on the sides but it was very easily fix with a little caulk.
Teena says
Hi, do you recall the name of the paint color on your walls and who its by? Thanks.
Lydia says
Hi Teena! It’s by Sherwin Williams and it’s called Cityscape! Sorry for the delayed response, I couldn’t find it!
Catherine says
Did you paint the mantle with regular door/trim gloss paint? Mine has yellowed with the sun and it needs a refresh but the paint on it now has been sprayed on
Lydia says
Hi Catherine! Yes that’s what we used. Ours had also already been painted but looked yellowish once it was next to the white tile, so we just did a couple of coats over it.
Renee Clark says
I have been looking for a similar stacked stone for my fireplace. Having a hard time finding white. May I ask where you found this?
Thanks!
Lydia says
Hi Renee! I got it at a shop called Floor & Decor that is local here in Ohio. They do have a website that you can order from, and if they don’t have it any more I saw one very similar at Home Depot (although Floor & Decor was MUCH less $)! Thanks for reaching out!