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 My mom loved the stone but combined with the outdated brass insert and abundance of stone, it seemed to lack character and screamed 1970’s. My dad and I spent about 4 weekends (about 8 hours each weekend) updating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!