What can you suggest to update this stone fireplace?
+3
The stone around my fireplace is like this one and I need suggestions to bring it into this century. Thanks!
6 answers
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![17335038]()
17335038
on Jan 06, 2018
Oh, a fireplace of this size certainly has lots of potential!, but I do agree that the brass trim is very dated. It can be removed and repainted with heat resistant paint; I would do it in black to blend in with the rest of the hearth area and to enlarge it, as at the present time, it looks undersized compared with the large whole fireplace area. -
![Libby]()
Libby
on Jan 06, 2018
After cleaning....Concrete stain may be your fix.Try experimenting on some garden stones (?)My hubby does outdoor kitchens, using several colors separately. Stroke on lightly, one color at a time. They'll mix and blend as apply them. It'll take some experimenting but expect you'll feel like Picasso before long. A simple large wood mantel would be lovely. -
![Cindy]()
Cindy
on Jan 06, 2018
I agree with Libby. A big chunky mantle would look great. The brass is very dated. Paint would fix that. There are a lot of colors to choose from that are heat resistant. Pick one that would work with whatever decor is already in the room. -
![Sjt29229935]()
Sjt29229935
on Jan 06, 2018
Do you have a picture of your actual room and fireplace? You said this is “like” yours. It would be helpful to know your furniture style, color scheme, do you have glass doors or screen over the opening? Is it a wood burning fireplace, gas log or one of the new gas/electric inline styles?I agree that painting the brick would either blend the brick with the room or make it an accent wall. However, once you paint it, going back to natural stone can be a nightmare, if not impossible. Think it over carefully and be certain you want to paint it before putting a brush to brick.Is your fireplace wall a full brick accent wall that commands attention in the room? What is your ceiling height? That makes a difference too. Is the bricked area as large as this one or similar to most fireplaces, smaller with less brick surrounded by plain, solid wall? The one in the picture is rather overpowering and not in scale with the fireplace opening, unless your room is large and can handle it. Do you have large windows with lots of light or smaller ones?Do you have a raised hearth? Adding interesting pieces of different heights to either side of the fireplace to balance would help bring everything into scale. Pillows for added seating, large candlesticks of different heights, plants, sculpture pieces would add depth and perspective. Depending on your style, an ornate or simple mantle would help. However, it is a long wall with a small fireplace and getting the right size mantle could be a little tricky. Experiment with a cardboard mock up to get the feel that is comfortable and correct. Pick up refrigerator boxes and cut them up. Even adding decorative pillars under the mantle would work, as long as they fit into your design style.If you lean toward contemporary design, I honestly don’t think this brick is awful. It is light, with clean lines and simple. The fireplace brick in the picture needs a good cleaning. That would help immensely. I would go to either gas logs with new doors / screen or a simple gas line laid in stones with plain glass doors for contemporary feel. Is it a see-thru fireplace or a solid wall? A large metal sculpture on the stone would be a lovely accent and help fill the blank space.If you truly hate the brick, you can always tear it off and put up what you love. You will be looking at it for a long time, so sometimes spending a few extra dollars saves you a lot of frustration in the long run. If full bricking is too costly, just surrounding the fireplace floor to ceiling or simply to the height of the mantle and wall boarding the rest would be cost effective. Doing a detailed or simple wood accent around the smaller fireplace would be pretty and a focal point as well.So many unanswered questions to address before sound and realistic advice can be offered. Good luck, I’m sure it will be beautiful. -
![Marion Nesbitt]()
Marion Nesbitt
on Jan 06, 2018
Agree. A mantle would be nice with tile or such between it and the fire pit for an extra texture. However, bright brass is making a comeback so I wouldn't paint it yet. Maybe buy something else and just put it away for awhile until you see how it goes. -
![17335038]()
17335038
on Jan 07, 2018
Hi Jackie, I have just gone through this complete thread, and my apologies, that I missed that the picture you posted was not yours exactly, but like yours.Yes, if you could post a picture of your room, this would be helpful so that other Hometalkers could give answers that were specific to your individual situation.
Libby
on Jan 06, 2018
Cindy
on Jan 06, 2018
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