Our 1970’s fireplace makeover has been a long time coming. My parents bought our house over 30 years ago and this fireplace has been a bit of an eye sore for all these years. My mom loved the stone but combined with the outdated brass insert and abundance of stone, it seemed to lack character and screamed 1970’s. My dad and I spent about 4 weekends (about 8 hours each weekend) updating the fireplace and giving it a new wooden surround.
Here is the before fireplace. This room has undergone a MAJOR transformation.
My dad is in love with this fireplace now and if you have been following us through stage 1, 2 and 3 of this makeover journey, you know he wanted no part of this makeover. Every night when he gets home from work, he goes in this room and just stares at the fireplace. It makes me giggle every time.
Here is the room 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. 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.
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. We might have cursed a few times at each other during this month long project and maybe even shed a few tears (on my part) but in the end, we figured it out and achieved what he said, was impossible. 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!
Grace @ sense and simplicity says
I love it. What a great transformation. Great idea to leave the stone on the hearth exposed and just build a frame around it.
Jessica Bruno says
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 🙂
Dave says
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?
Pamela says
What a great transformation! I love that you kept some of the rock there.
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
It turned out so beautiful! Oh you are going to just love all that mantel space to decorate!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you 🙂 I know, having a mantel now is kind of nice!
Monica says
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!!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Monica! I have had a mantle before so this is a benefit for sure! Good luck on your project 🙂
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG says
Jessica – I knew your Dad would be glad he gave in and helped you with this project…It looks fantastic!
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks Cheryl 🙂 He really likes it!
kristin says
WOWZA, absolutely gorgeous! Such a beautiful transformation.
Jenny@EvolutionofStyle says
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!
Janelle C says
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! 😉
Brandi @ Nest of Bliss says
This is amazing.. I love how you left the stone on the top – good thinking! Pinning this!
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
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.
Nancy says
What an amazing makeover! Well worth the wait.
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks Nancy!
Vanessa says
Wowza!!! Jessica that is a seriously amazing transformation! All of your hard work paid off big time and it looks gorgeous!
Vanessa
Jessica Bruno says
🙂 thank you Vanessa!
Danielle says
It turned out so beautiful, Jess! x
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks Danielle. Hope all is well and I love your latest dresser makeover 😉
Patti Palilla says
Love it!! Well done!
Petra says
Jessica, I’d be staring at it all the time too! Well done – it’s very pretty!
Debra Ruffing says
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.
Jessica Bruno says
Oh nice! A new kitchen sounds fun 🙂
Julianne says
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)
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Julianne, we do love it. Good luck with yours and I appreciate you sweet words. I am glad it done! 🙂
Becca says
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!
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks Becca, we like the room so much better! ha. I don’t cringe anymore when entering 🙂
Ginger says
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?
Barbara says
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?
mona says
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.
DIY says
Beautiful work. Did you ever share throw you did the decorative trim and mantle?
janie says
Directions for fireplace redo
Corey @ sawdust2stitches says
Ok, that is NOT your typical fireplace makeover. I love it! Sometimes I miss cold weather just because I love fire places.
Jessica Bruno says
🙂 Thanks !!
Diane Lavoie says
What a beautiful difference that made !
Veronica M Georges says
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
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you! You could try a local stone or landscape company. Full service landscape companies or masons will be able to help you 🙂