Updating a stone fireplace wall

Question

Looking for ideas for this stone fireplace wall. The wall is 12' wide and 8' tall, the shelves above the fireplace opening have openings to let more heat from the fireplace into the room. The 2 protruding stones next to the fireplace have openings that let in cold air. Looking for ideas for the entire wall, fireplace doors, ledge that is a pinkish granite and is geometric in shape, wider on the left side of the picture than the right. Any and ALL ideas are extremely welcome! Note the wood ceiling! Thank you so much in advance! Oh yes and also would love to add a 'chunky, rustic' mantle, again thank you!

Danielle · Answer

Would love to help but your picture that you reference isn't visible.

Lucy Nunn · Answer

Do you have a picture?

Kathleen · Answer

Can you pull off the protruding shelves? I would pull out the fireplace and replace it with either a natural gas insert that has a blower and is environmentally friendly or pellet stove insert. They really heat the house. It's difficult to see the hearth, I would replace it. Maybe you could put tile on the floor instead so the fireplace is raised.

Moxie · Answer

Of course it a matter of preference but I like the wall. The fireplace insert/doors on the other hand looks outdated and is overwhelmed by the mass of the wall. I wonder if you have considered adding a large salvaged fireplace mantle section and you could stain/paint the hearth add amazing to scale artwork....could b amazing.

Lucy Nunn · Answer

I love that limestone wall! I think your idea of a heavy, earthy mantle, floating if possible would be beautiful! Then I'd paint the insert with either black, rubbed bronze, or to look like copper patina. I would not remove the shelves, but place one thing on each, including a soft plant like a sweet potato vine, and maybe an initial (don't know your last name), and whatever other treasure you have and want to show off. I don't think the clock is doing anything for that wall though....

Maria · Answer

I'd paint it in a heartbeat!

Karen · Answer

I agree with Lucy, putting up a mantle & changing the insert. Some sort of art work above the mantle, might help soften the look of so much brick.

Lucy Nunn · Answer

I can't love painting that beautiful mid-century stonework, but it isn't as pretty as it photographs, I think going with a very pale color, in a matte would be the way to go. Maybe a chalk paint?

Carol Hougaboom Holman · Answer

Getting rid of your 'dead wood' decorations would do wonders. I like @Moxie's idea for a mantle. I would really clean the hearth, get rid of the brass doors.

Monica · Answer

Have you looked into airstone? Its fairly simple to install over the existing brick or use a ledgstone on the vertical and build a mantle and using quartzite to cover it.

Kathleen Jasper · Answer

what is airstone?

Lucy Nunn · Answer

It's manufactured stone, that is lighter than real stone and you basically tile with it. You can get it at Lowes. I feel like airstone looks a lot like what you already have, but more rustic. It is pretty. I am going to put it over a red brick fireplace in our new house.

Val Maine · Answer

I'd get rid of clock and all knick knacks no matter how you love them and put a large cane basket full of pine cones on the left, lay the pokers down so they don't intrude in the view . With a wooden ceiling the atmosphere should be rustic. Enjoy the stonework!

Wanda sinnema · Answer

This may be ARIZONA SANDSTONE..I have it.. all beige, tan, pinkish and off white.. popular in the 50's..... ours was PAINTED prior to us moving in....BIG MISTAKE,, you can't ever remove the paint.. I would check with a stone company,,,, see if they can have someone remove the protruding pieces..Add your chunky mantle, that is a huge wall, anything should big in scale,,say a HUGE clock double the size of the one there now,, or maybe a wrought iron piece of salvage, big sconces or carriage lanterns..I'd use the ceiling color/stain as a guide for the mantle to tie it together. I'd change the color of the fireplace doors, those look dated, to a dark rustic brown finish...btw I love the big crock.....on the left..

Vic · Answer

Real stone is better than any flat chalk paint that will be out of style in just a few years. Talk to a concrete company about staining the stone a few shades darker or lighter, your choice. Adding a strong dark hand hewn mantel with the oversize accent mentioned above will unite the wall & give it the much needed impact it deserves.

Kathleen Jasper · Answer

Thanks on info on airstone

Roxie Kemler · Answer

So striking as it is. The previously mentioned clock idea sounded do able. I would not cut ant stone off whether it protrudes or not. The design is built for the heating / cooling purposes you mentioned. I think I am going to follow the advice you got about staining my own fireplace a lighter color. Please show an after photo.

Maria · Answer

We've updated the fireplace.....

Mehmet Kaya · Answer

You should look at this example http://mhmtky.com/2016/02/07/dogal-taslar-ile-somine/

Robin · Answer

I just came across this (a few years after the original post) and I have the same stone on my fireplace. Wondering about the end result of this remodel? Would love to see pics. Thanks!

Updating a stone fireplace wall

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Updating a stone fireplace wall

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