Help need fireplace updated! Ideas please

Erik Sutherland
by Erik Sutherland
I'm remodeling and the basement fireplace needs an update also. The stone is very grainy so I'm looking for some feedback on my best options! I would appreciate any ideas! Thanks
Very grainy, need ideas to make it pop in the basement
  17 answers
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Feb 26, 2015
    Hi Erik! Lucky you to have a fireplace in your basement room! There are endless options here, just a matter of personal taste and $$$ you are wanting to spend. You can reclad or replace the stone with something more current- like the narrow stacked stone that is currently popular. Since the stones look so mottled and smudged, I think paint, or at least a white wash to make them more uniform could help for little $$$. Remove the brass fireplace insert and replace it with something more current or paint it. Old burnished brass is making a comeback, but bright shiny lacquered brass is not and instantly dates the room. It appears as if you have other oak pieces in the room, so I am not sure how you feel about replacing the mantel beam with something a bit more substantial and rustic. That one thin beam just makes a big visual line right through the middle of the wall. If it's not replaceable, then either clad over it or add trim around it to make it appear larger. It might be nice to replace the hearth tiles, as they are so big and with the jagged edge look almost unfinished. Good luck- can't wait to see the finished fireplace!
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    • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Feb 26, 2015
      @Erik Sutherland Hi Erik- If it were me (and this is just my personal preference) I would paint it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White. It is a soft, creamy neutral that will brighten up that whole wall. Plus, the chalk paint has a matte finish and you don't have to prime it either.
  • Kathie taylor Kathie taylor on Feb 26, 2015
    If this is the same stone that I have, I love it! The difference is, I had mine sealed when installed and it brought out all the colors. If you like it, clean it well.... because mine is sealed, I just use windex. You may need tsp. Then get them sealed. Not sure what is going on with the hearth, those big pieces don't look level.? Can they be removed? Replaced with maybe wood? You may also want to chunk up your mantle there. (adding more wood.?) Please make sure to have a chimney sweep come to ensure safety! Good luck and please post an "after" picture.
  • Erik Sutherland Erik Sutherland on Feb 26, 2015
    Thank you guys! I'll keep you updated!
  • I found a lot of ideas typing "rock fireplace makeover" on Pinterest. Some were painted and some had a white shelf and lighter wall colors to make it stand out. I liked this one...all though the stone is lighter...https://www.pinterest.com/pin/440156563553284141/ Good luck!! I'm sure it will look great when you are done with it!
  • 117135 117135 on Feb 26, 2015
    I love the stone! I would clean it and seal it and keep it the way it is. I would paint the wood surrunding it before painting the stone. I agree with Susan on replacing the insert to get rid of the shiny brass. If money is an issue you could paint the brass black to blend with the rest, you would need a paint that is good for high heat areas. Do you have more pictures of the space? It is hard to give more advice without seeing what is surrounding the area.
  • Erik Sutherland Erik Sutherland on Feb 26, 2015
    I really want to paint it but it's a lava rock!? I'll send more picture of surrounding area shortly!
  • Erik Sutherland Erik Sutherland on Feb 26, 2015
    The fireplace is a lava rock does that matter for painting? Or just a little more tedious?
  • Erik Sutherland Erik Sutherland on Feb 26, 2015
    I'll post more picture of surrounding area shortly !
    • Paularuth Paularuth on Dec 15, 2016


      after a home fire we had our stone fireplace wall sandblasted. It is much whiter and updated.

  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Feb 26, 2015
    Erik if that hearth material is not your lava rock you could paint it. I actually don't think stone ever goes out of style. I could honestly see all of the oak (which does go out of style) in a nice warm grey tone to pick up on your grout and perhaps a black hearth.
  • Diane Patterson Diane Patterson on Feb 26, 2015
    My fireplace is almost identical, except my wood mantle is a darker, I think maybe madrone?? Built in 1976. I'm not fond of it, but my husband likes it, so changing it wasn't an option for us. Our living, dining and kitchen is now one big room after we removed the walls separating the rooms, and we actually used the colors in the fireplace to help when we picked our granite for our kitchen countertops. It tied everything together nicely. I too think you should do away with the brass on the fireplace.
  • Christine Spencer Christine Spencer on Feb 26, 2015
    I would whitewash the stone with Annie Sloan paint, spray paint the brass detailing on the insert black, and replace the mantle with one with corbels and add a cute decorative fireplace screen. Here is a Before/After I found on Pinterest using the whitewash paint. I think they used either Paris Gray or French Linen... VERY diluted with water. It may take two coats of whitewash painting to get the coverage right. I like that the stone still kind of shows through.
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    • Lynne Webb Lynne Webb on Jan 01, 2017

      Do they not read? Isn't this what you said? It isn't what you have done it's a picture of something someone else did, correct? "Here is a Before/After I found on Pinterest using the whitewash paint. I think they used either Paris Gray or French Linen... VERY diluted with water".

  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Feb 27, 2015
    Looks overpowering and ominous to me! LOL I don't get the two wood pieces running along each side. I'd drywall over the store. By the way, shiny brass is making a comeback.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 10, 2015
      @Marion Nesbitt The 2 pieces of wood look like the sides of shelving, flanking the fireplace.
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Feb 27, 2015
    I think if you do a search on this site or google 'fireplace renovations' you'll find ideas for covering the stones with different materials, some of which can be painted, if you want to, and some don't need to be painted.I remember my parents found some bricks which were only 1/2 the dpth/thickness of real bricksand cemented them to the wall surrounding our fireplace. There are only certain materials that are heat resistant.
  • Jackie Byrd Jackie Byrd on Sep 21, 2016
    Any way to shorten the mantel? It's sooo long. I'd paint it dark gray. Stone is beautiful.
  • Diane Patterson Diane Patterson on Sep 21, 2016
    My living room fireplace from 1976-78ish.
  • Diane Patterson Diane Patterson on Sep 21, 2016
    Mine isn't as smooth though, except for the hearth.