Redoing a fireplace that is not a fireplace any longer. Any ideas?

With all of that metal, just painting wouldn't look very good. Can you take all of the metal out? If not, you're going to have to cover it up. You could probably find tile very cheap since you need so little. Check clearance sales at tile stores, online and big box stores. I'm sure your husband wouldn't like this, but a glass tile would reflect the candle light beautifully.

First give it a good wash with TSP, cause you will need to do that anyway. Then see what you have to work with. How about mirror tiles just for the back wall? That way it will reflect the lighted candles and provide fireplace type ambience? I would paint it a light color and then go over with an opalescent type sheen (think tastefully sparkly nail polish), to give it a bit of subtle sparkle without being ostentatious. Then the rack with candles. That would work till you can squirrel away a few bucks for a more serious upgrade. I get the frugal/ cheap husband thing . . . One needs to make compromises here and there - this is one to give in on, at least for now. 😍🤗

Hi Michele,

I was looking around at fireplace box ideas when I found something that might be adaptable to your situation. The original idea had faux branches attached to the candle holders, but I was thinking since your fireplace is dark, what if you found some branches, painted them white or cream and made a faux back closer to the front of your fireplace. You could even stack some wood between your candle holder - possibly. I got the idea from the website below. In looking at pictures, it seems that if you give the fireplace a faux back to bring it forward it looks better. See what you think.

https://www.grandinroad.com/fedora-candleholder/indoor-decor/candles-candleholders/157761?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=4&SourceCode=ZZ464845&cm_mmc=pinterest-_-pingage-_-994834-_-NA#_a5y_p=994834

Rustoleum for metal, and spray paint the interior black. It will make it look deeper and your eye will go to the candles or any decoration you put in there.

Thanks Ann..was in Niantic not to long ago..pretty place. I'm going to work with all the ideas and come out with one..won't spend any real money on replacing the fireplace..intend to move sometime this year. Thanks again,

thank you so much..everyone that has answered have given me great ideas..i'm going to go over each one..and then decide..i'll post when it's done..and the process.appreciate your helping out..

Here are a few ideas

Last one as lights in

One last one