1970’s Fireplace Makeover Before & After
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Updating a dated stone fireplace is one of the best ways to modernize your home. This 1970s fireplace was in desperate need of a makeover and today, I’m sharing how we covered the stone surround with wood which created a beautiful modern fireplace in this living room.
Stone fireplaces were very popular in the 70s featuring ugly brass metal inserts. Honestly there is nothing wrong with stone fireplaces but the large grout/mortar spacing is very dated and indicative of the 60’s and 70’s.
Before and After DIY Fireplace Makeover
A fireplace is the focal point of most rooms so it should look amazing! Whether you have an electric fireplace, gas or wood burning fireplace, it should feature an aesthetically pleasing fireplace surround and mantel.
I found that have a nice large wood mantel is fun to decorate, especially during the fall and winter months.
The fireplace before (see below) had strange orangy toned stones, which almost looked rusty at times with the ugliest vents built in which at one point, provided heat into the room. With the help of my dad, this fireplace update was about to be one of our biggest makeovers yet.
When I first thought about updating our 1970’s fireplace, I wasn’t thinking it would end up being such a big task. Honestly, I thought we could get it done in a weekend, maybe two. My dad is a genius when it comes to structural aspect and how to make it work. However, he is terrible as visualizing and figuring out the design aspect.
This living space before when it was used as the kids playroom. A complete hodge podge of furniture, mis-matched shelves, cabinets, toys and whatever else didn’t have a home.
The entire room is shaping up and the fireplace is by far, one of my favorite DIY projects yet. The impact that the wooden surround has added vs the previous stone is dramatic.
Stone Fireplace Makeover
Paint Color
I used Sherwin Williams Extra White Pro Classic paint in a semi gloss finish. Sherwin Williams provided complimentary paint for our study makeover but all opinions are mine. The paint is super smooth and gorgeous.
I will share with you next week how I added the decorative molding trim as well as how we constructed the mantle which was the final touch to bringing this fireplace to life. It’s amazing how white paint brought this fireplace to life.
Looking for fireplace remodel ideas but not sure what your options are? There are several stone fireplace ideas floating around on Google and Pinterest and the easiest update is to paint or whitewash the stone or brick.
6 Ways to update a fireplace
- Paint the stone or brick fireplace (budget friendly)
- Red bricks look great painted white
- Paint the brass surround (see how I did it here) with high heat paint
- Peel and stick tiles from Amazon
- Add an oak wood surround like we did and paint it white
- Install a new mantel (see how we installed a beam mantel on our new fireplace here)
- Update existing mantel with paint
How to Update a 1970s Stone Fireplace
Our fireplace makeover is broken down into 4 stages:
- Framing around the stone fireplace with 2×4’s
- Framing the vents
- Covering the stone with wood
- Before and after (this post)
We are planning to put a pellet stove with the insert as we don’t use the stove because the burning wood aggravates my allergies. Be sure to check your local and state code when renovating a fireplace. Adding wood to the side of your fireplace can be a fire hazard so be sure to check your local fire code. I am happy check this baby, the fireplace makeover, off of the renovation bucket list!
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
I love it. What a great transformation. Great idea to leave the stone on the hearth exposed and just build a frame around it.
Thank you Grace! I think it looks good with the stone plus having potential sparks on the wood wouldn’t be good so the stone stayed 🙂
This is awesome!
How did you deal with the gap between the wood and uneven characteristic of the stone edge? Did you fill this gap with something, so debris does not fall in?
What a great transformation! I love that you kept some of the rock there.
It turned out so beautiful! Oh you are going to just love all that mantel space to decorate!
Thank you 🙂 I know, having a mantel now is kind of nice!
This turned out great Jessica!! You also styled it so well! It’s amazing what can be done these days to update a dated fireplace! I’m actually working on the one in my kids’ playroom today!!
Well done friend!!
Thank you Monica! I have had a mantle before so this is a benefit for sure! Good luck on your project 🙂
Jessica – I knew your Dad would be glad he gave in and helped you with this project…It looks fantastic!
Thanks Cheryl 🙂 He really likes it!
WOWZA, absolutely gorgeous! Such a beautiful transformation.
It looks AMAZING! I’m so impressed and so jealous, as I stare at the pile of stone I’m putting together like a puzzle to put up on my fireplace. Like you, I totally underestimated the amount of time and effort it would take to pull this off! But I WILL get there! Can’t wait to see how you did the mantel!
Wow, your makeover is amazing, the room is beautiful!! What a fantastic job by you & your Dad, in spite of the “differences of opinion” that may have come up! 😉
This is amazing.. I love how you left the stone on the top – good thinking! Pinning this!
My goodness… the old fireplace was truly much worse than I expected it to be! You and your father did an amazing job – it’s beautiful now.
What an amazing makeover! Well worth the wait.
Thanks Nancy!
Wowza!!! Jessica that is a seriously amazing transformation! All of your hard work paid off big time and it looks gorgeous!
Vanessa
🙂 thank you Vanessa!
It turned out so beautiful, Jess! x
Thanks Danielle. Hope all is well and I love your latest dresser makeover 😉
Love it!! Well done!
Jessica, I’d be staring at it all the time too! Well done – it’s very pretty!
I love your fireplace! I can only have electric…but would love to have a fireplace like yours. I need my kitchen first though…I have none right now. We are waiting for cabinets.
Oh nice! A new kitchen sounds fun 🙂
Looks amazing, Jessica!
Your old fireplace looks a lot like mine does now, but it takes up the whole wall and unfortunately, the raised hearth step (an oak beam painted pink, lol) continues across the room into the dining room. I would love to do something like this, but trying to imagine how without a stand alone hearth. Thanks for providing some great inspiration….what a wonderful job! I love how you noticed your dad admiring his work. He must be so proud of BOTH of you!! :0)
Thank you Julianne, we do love it. Good luck with yours and I appreciate you sweet words. I am glad it done! 🙂
Wow, Jessica … such an amazing transformation! I love it and can only imagine how excited you all must be to have completed this project. Look forward to seeing it dressed for the holidays!
Thanks Becca, we like the room so much better! ha. I don’t cringe anymore when entering 🙂
Looks great. How did you get the stone on the hearth to be a lighter color than what was there. It appears a milkier color versus the brown/tan?
The new fireplace really looks lovely. I would like to cover my stone fireplace with another stone.. do you have to cover the stone with wood and then apply the new stone to the wood or can you just put the stone on top of stone?
This is a beautiful result. My fireplace looks like the “before” picture, but this is now at the top of hubby’s “honey do” list.
Beautiful work. Did you ever share throw you did the decorative trim and mantle?
Directions for fireplace redo
Ok, that is NOT your typical fireplace makeover. I love it! Sometimes I miss cold weather just because I love fire places.
🙂 Thanks !!
What a beautiful difference that made !
Am getting ready to redo my fireplace. . .Love what you did! Can you tell me where you got the stone for the hearth? I really love it. thanks
Thank you! You could try a local stone or landscape company. Full service landscape companies or masons will be able to help you 🙂