I'm wondering how i could update this moss rock fireplace?

Question

It's very dark & covers a whole wall in the room. I thought about putting Airstone over the moss rock, but I don't think I can because it's not a flat surface.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I like the rock...what you could do is just paint the mantle a lighter color this would help more than you think.

Jenny@birdsandsoap · Answer

a heavy looking barnwood style beam for the mantle would look great. and a good scrubbing.

Martha · Answer

Paint the yellow wall a light shade from the rock. I love the rock.

Rebecca · Answer

I agree love the rock & paint the mantle a different color but also you could frame the fireplaces to make it not look so dark & full. Airstone is just putting rock on rock & this rock is amazingly gorgeous & looks great. So paint the walls a different color sure but repainting the mantle a lighter color or use a wood beam & framing the fireplaces individually would break it up & make a huge difference.

Leah · Answer

http://www.skimstone.com. Here is a fireplace surround done with this product: http://www.skimstone.com/images/galleryFireplace.jpg and a 'how to' from a blog: http://theletteredcottage.net/skimstone-faux-concrete-fireplace-hearth/ . Or you could just paint it. Go for it.

Linda Quick · Answer

Paint the wall in a wood or sand tone, the yellow is too bright & makes the fire place look dirty & massive. Clean the stone, add some greenery with the candles. A massive fire place need a massive mantle, this one is too thin. Decorations on top of the mantle need to be one or two massive items. Too many small items make it look cluttered; you need to draw the eye to the mantle with one huge beautiful item & then add some greenery & natural looking items.

Linda Quick · Answer

The yellow wall might have worked better if you had put an antique glaze over it to tone it down.

Julie B · Answer

I think a white wall would really make the rock stand out and look beautiful! Don't touch the rock!

Janet Mitchell · Answer

how about regrout with a litter grout

Lanie · Answer

@ Lisa.. You might do a light beige toned wall, lighter grout, paint mantle darker beige or light brown color (take a color from the rock you like best & match.) Fireplace screen could be updated to a lighter metal, and logs neatly stacked in the side where your candles are would look great! Really love the natural rock!!

Lady Page · Answer

I would not touch the stones, myself. A big, chunky old wooden beam style mantle for the top would look awesome. And I can see a big old crock pot or wooden crate painted matte black (and perhaps distressed a little?) between the two sides holding chopped firewood or kindling, matches etc. I think you can bring this fireplace to life by what you put on, and around it. I'm no expert... and I love vintage style anything, but it will depend on what look you are going for in the rest the room :)

Leona G · Answer

I agree with the others, don't touch the rock. You could use a lighter grout (one to match a light color in the rock) and grout over the old grout. I would also change the mantle to something more massive in again a color to match the lighter tones in the rock. I like the idea of a ecru or beige wall color but it should be either lighter than the mantle or slightly darker. I would also use either a large crock in the wood bin or a large flower arrangement to keep the clutter to a minimum. Good luck

Jennie Roberts · Answer

I'd paint it a gray of some kind to bring out the rock instead of disguising it. I love the rock. It's the yellow, I agree!! Too bright. Put some antique lanterns on the side of the mantle or even on the mantle with a pretty rustic picture and you'll see a world of difference.

Susan Cryor · Answer

I agree, big big mantel put some white birch logs in where you have the candles, and definitely tone down the yellow....you could use the leather texture and tone it down without having to repaint. And, sorry, there is a lot to be said about these two sayings....
Keep it simple, more is less. You need to 'thin' out items on the mantel...sorry do not mean to offend you...

Bonnie Lewenza · Answer

I would not touch the stone it is beautiful. Study your stone decide on a color that you would like to pull out of it and paint the wall. It would make such a statement to the fireplace.

Sherilyn Vars · Answer

I agree with everyone...... replace the mantel or paint it a lighter color, the wall needs to be toned down. (You want the fireplace to be the center of attention, not the wall itself.) I would remove the 'insert' on the left fireplace so that each sides match. I once had a rock fireplace sandblasted clean and it looked good afterwards. (The down side is that it took away the old look and we were cleaning up the mess for months afterwards.) I wouldn't mess with the grout, I would consider a light gray color for the wall and play up with accessories.

Deborah R · Answer

The rock is beautiful...perhaps a good cleaning of rock and grout against a different color than yellow wall...

Linda Hinchey · Answer

The rock is glorious!!! Keep it!!

Patty A · Answer

I've two of these now.....whitewashing looks great and lightens and balances the room

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Because this is 'moss rock' any type of paint or covering will be compromised with out a LOT or prep work. The little bits of moss and Lichen that are adhered to the rocks will need to be thoroughly removed (which can never be replaced). Once the surface is completely free of this 'debris' then the painting or white wash could be applied.

You will then be forever locked into a 'painted' and unnatural pile of rocks.

Melissa Parish · Answer

The stone is beautiful. Classic Khaki from Olympic is a good color to cover up the yellow maybe.

Lynda Benoit · Answer

I love the rock just the way it is. I'd change your wall color, if you want to change something.

Alison Chillemi · Answer

Seriously, I'd like to know how to prep the moss rock as well, before painting over it. Contrary to some opinion.... I don't care for the dark dingy stone look inside my home. I'll take a hike in the forest if I miss it, okay? Has anyone removed the moss from the rock, and if so, can you pass on some tips?

Holly · Answer

Scrub the rocks. They're pretty soiled from use, it looks like. I had the same situation. Scrubbing w/ Dawn and Borax made a huge diff! I agree with those about changing the mantle and wall color. Have fun with it! You don't see gorgeous stone fireplaces much anymore.

Marra · Answer

Please don't paint such beautiful stone! Pant the mantle, clean the stones but please don't paint the rocks

John · Answer

I would use a mix of old firebrick some with paint and add a rustic wooden mantle shelf and skirt to front by the floor and go antique white stripes over the yellow walls 👌🏻

Lou Lancaster · Answer

Paint them.

J. Jacobs · Answer

One thing you can do if you decide to paint the stones is put some sort of varnish over them after they are thoroughly cleaned and dry. This way if you ever sell and the new owners want the rustic look, it will be easier for them to remove the paint. 
I would investigate either making a cover with wood which you'd have to assure wouldn't catch fire or have a custom metal covering made - pricey but if that's more your style and you have to look at it everyday, you will be happier. 
Also, you could just try making a solid front by putting mud over the whole thing or concrete building up until you have an even surface and then texture and/or stain it to a color you like. 
Another option is to just demo the thing and start from scratch with a material that's more appealing to you.

Snapoutofit · Answer

Cover it up with framing and drywall

Deb K · Answer

Hi Lisa, you can brighten by painting it. Hope this helps you out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVks0xPMhEw

I'm wondering how i could update this moss rock fireplace?

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