Brick fireplace with the 3 protruding bricks instead of a mantle

Question

How can we remove the bricks and add a mantle? The bricks are evenly spaced at different heights - low, medium and high. They are not very big and don't hold anything, making it impossible to decorate the fireplace. I plan to paint the brick and fireplace surround.

Fab and Pretty · Answer

Have you thought of mounting a chunky wood mantel on and at the height of the lowest one? (straight across, you'll need another anchor at the other end)This would allow you to use that wooden mantel for visual display and just leave the other 2 as 'texture' elements, don't use them for display...

Martha · Answer

Donna, that's the same thing I was going to suggest.

Shelby @ The Weathered Barn Studio · Answer

...well...all of us have the same idea ! lol. I was going to suggest that also ! If you want to update your brass ( some people like the brass) , its possible . Again, a matter of personal preference. :)

Nivasi Frankly-Speaks · Answer

once removed do you have brick to match the fireplace? if so, take a chisel and knock them out, add the new brick (matching if possible) and mount whatever mantel you want

Marlene Haigh · Answer

I would make thick wooden shelves longer than the protruding brick and mount them over the top of the brick. this would give you 3 mantels and carry your eye across the room.

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi Lisa! If you are planning on painting the brick anyway, then I would chisel those bricks out and replace them with ones that are flush with the others. Then paint the whole brick wall and add the chunky wood mantel.

Barrett etc · Answer

we had that in an old house of ours. my husband hit them with a sledge hammer and they broke right off.

Barrett etc · Answer

we painted the bricks a HIGH GLOSS white afterwards, and mounted a mantel!

Dale · Answer

I too was gonna suggest a sledge hammer.

Fran · Answer

I too have those dreaded 3 bricks sticking out on my fireplace and have been pondering how to get rid of them and put on a mantle! On the upside, I hang decorated garland over them at Christmas and it does look great. I hope you will post your end result when you do resolve this.

Mag1120776 · Answer

Craft a mantle with a cut-out to cover the lowest brick shelf.  Then Rather than one large mirror hang different sizes.

Martha · Answer

Instead of knocking the bricks out, it may be possible to saw them off pretty much even with the other bricks, using a masonry saw of some type. You might check with a mason or at a masonry store.

LaMiya Morrill · Answer

Masonry saw or put a masonry blade on a reciprocating saw that has variable speed.  There are also scoring options that will allow the brick to break cleanly when hit.   Talk to a brick mason to get the best option

Kate Sullivan · Answer

Perhaps build a mantle in the shape of a box, without a back. Make it tall enough to cover the highest and lowest bricks, and as wide as the fireplace (and as deep as you want the mantle to be). Then attach to the bricks.

Myrna Engle · Answer

Knock them out with a chisel. I believe there is just another brick behind it. If that one is set deeply then chisel it out also. Then reset your brick flush. Then your are ready to move on. It will work.

Lisa Hall · Answer

Thank you all so much for all the wonderful ideas and I'm definitely still open to any other suggestions.  Y'all are awesome!!!

Chris Sabol · Answer

I would chisel the bricks out, see how they are made to stand out like that, if possible, set them in deep like the rest. Or if they can't be set in, have them cut by a mason to fit and put them back in the hole.

Linda · Answer

Before you do anything, take the gold door out spray paint it black and put it back. The room has a lot of character , but need some updating, sprucing up to bring about it's charm.

Fran · Answer

Lisa Hall - did you ever get around to painting the fireplace? I'd love to see a finished picture.

Wanda sinnema · Answer

I'm dealing with a fireplace issue myself.. Instead of removing the 3 brick how about making ,making a wood box to slide over them.. a wider and bigger size. a floating shelf.. those bricks are to narrow to decorate very much. My mantle i also narrow brick.. I am planning on doing that with mine-hopefully very soon.

MN Mom · Answer

That's definitely a sign of the era in which the house was built. I'd leave the bricks and deal with the brass surround instead. Or convert it to gas if it hasn't been already.

Elaine · Answer

This is very common for the vintage of the house.  Like others have said, I'd inquire about reducing the size of the bricks or just ignore them (I don't find them that offensive!) and place a decorative iron item right above the screen.  The only thing that, I find, negative is the brass.  Once you bring that up to date, I think you'll be much happier.

Jackie Byrd · Answer

Hey, Lisa, give us an update please. What did you do?

Terie Kay · Answer

Cut the brick flush, do away with the detail altogether. Or, use decorative garden rope to hang pretty planters at varrying levels. This will as a splash of color, keep the rustic feel and instead of fighting y the fireplace, 'embrace' it. 'Become One with the fireplace.'

Terie Kay · Answer

An emory board.

Call a mason, for heavens sake or a tile guy. I can't since all your problems! LOL

Brick fireplace with the 3 protruding bricks instead of a mantle

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