visit your local home improvement store and look at all the beautiful backslash tiles. I think you could make it “pop” by tiling the lower portion (the fireplace opening) with back splash tile and leave the top and bottom alone. Live with that for awhile and then if you still want more of a change, find a similar larger tile for the bottom. The stone top and mantle are really pretty (in my humble opinion) and I would not change it.
I pulled my builder grade out and framed out the area I wanted to cover. Put up cement board and put natural stone veneers on. Can't tell here, but I went from about a four foot traditional fireplace to the entire height of the room....12 feet.
Yes but I had lots of help with my brother. The stone veneers are fairly easy to work with. It does take quite some time to complete because we only did a few rows at a time so they could dry without settling.
I wouldn't do a thing to the surround. It is so beautiful. What I would do is paint the wall around it in a slightly darker color for contrast and to make it pop. Gray is my go-to color now. Then I would replace the candlesticks with something a little more substantial like an obelisk of wood or metal. Add a fireplace tool set on the right side of the hearth, put your other accessories back on the mantle and call it done. Just my humble opinion.
That sounds like a great idea, but man do I hate painting and that room flows into my dining area too. Do you think I could just by with accenting the fireplace wall? I like the idea of larger accessories too.
Not being able to see the whole room layout I was afraid that was the case. Is there any place on that wall where you can see a natural break? You can try painting a section on each side and if you don't like it you can always paint over it lol. Let me know what you decide to do and maybe after pictures? Best of luck with whatever your decision is.
That’s a beautiful builders grade fireplace compared to mine. I would go with a light gray color for the frame and leave the top as is. Also I would put a round mirror over the fireplace mantle to break away from all the squareness, if that’s even a word.
Great suggestion! I found a round mirror on clearance for $39. I'm going to try switching out and see if I like it. I will let you how it turns out. I'm thinking of installing travertine chevron tiles on the bottom and leaving the top as is. The tiles have gray and beige tones.
Just bought this house. It's got great bones but needs updates everywhere. That means the budget is tight. I need ideas to update this fireplace. It is boring and...
See more
Here are some ideas, including painting, tiling, etc.:
http://www.theyellowcapecod.com/2011/10/31-days-of-character-building-builder.html
http://diydiva.net/2010/09/true-value-diy-road-trip-fireplace-makeover-day-1/
http://naughtonyourlife.blogspot.com/2015/05/fireplace-makeover-with-tin-tile.html?spref=pi
visit your local home improvement store and look at all the beautiful backslash tiles. I think you could make it “pop” by tiling the lower portion (the fireplace opening) with back splash tile and leave the top and bottom alone. Live with that for awhile and then if you still want more of a change, find a similar larger tile for the bottom. The stone top and mantle are really pretty (in my humble opinion) and I would not change it.
I pulled my builder grade out and framed out the area I wanted to cover. Put up cement board and put natural stone veneers on. Can't tell here, but I went from about a four foot traditional fireplace to the entire height of the room....12 feet.
I wouldn't do a thing to the surround. It is so beautiful. What I would do is paint the wall around it in a slightly darker color for contrast and to make it pop. Gray is my go-to color now. Then I would replace the candlesticks with something a little more substantial like an obelisk of wood or metal. Add a fireplace tool set on the right side of the hearth, put your other accessories back on the mantle and call it done. Just my humble opinion.
That’s a beautiful builders grade fireplace compared to mine. I would go with a light gray color for the frame and leave the top as is. Also I would put a round mirror over the fireplace mantle to break away from all the squareness, if that’s even a word.
Hi Shirley, you could add some color to this with some paint, go neutral, or colorful. Hope the attached pictures give you some cool ideas!
Tile.