Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Fireplace Facelift

When we first moved into our house, almost 6 years ago, it didn't get much more basic than this. Builder's grade everything, beige carpet and walls everywhere...

The fireplace was not much to look at, not to mention too traditional for my taste.


A couple of years ago, Justin built what we jokingly call the "fireplace slipcover", meaning he built a box that went over the existing fireplace, just to make it look a little more modern. I wanted the fireplace to stay for resale value...I did a faux finish on it, but I still wanted to improve on the idea, and now lighten it up a lot. Now in my my proverbial 'dream house', I dream of a cut rock fireplace...but that is still a long way off.




I came up with a design that would add a little interest above the fireplace, and dress up the slipcover without too much $$$, we have a zero to nothing budget. :) Inexpensive 1X4's and trim, a gallon of primer and the cheapest white paint I could find.


We primed everything, but then I decided to add another layer to the front, so add a sheet of half inch MDF to the shopping list! Also, I didn't like how the hearth looked, so we used the rest of the sheet of MDF to clean up the look of the hearth.You can see it best in the after pictures below.


I like how it gave the face of the fireplace a little interest. I used some cove moulding to clean up the edge.


AFTER:

I love how the mirror looks, and I like the high contrast of the black on white


A simple and thrifty mantle display for the remainder of the Summer, everything is second-hand (and spray painted :), except for the shell ball and starfish. I am already contemplating the upcoming seasons, this should be fun!





I love the chandy reflecting back.
For very little money, we were able to give the fireplace a whole new look! It did take me a little over a week to finish, but I am so happy with the result! Clean and fresh and modern, just what I wanted!



Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you're inspired!







(In case you're wondering, I am still trying to decide whether I like my laurel wreaths above the windows black or white....:)









The DIY Show Off

Sarah's Before and After Party




79 comments:

  1. oh my goodness! its beautiful! now i wish i didnt pay extra to have the big window over my mantle! i would of loved to have copied this! great job!

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  2. Wow Michelle, This is an incredible transformation. The white is simply gorgeous and I can not say enough about they way you acessorize...simply stunning. Your hubby and you both did an amazing job...gorgeous!! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  3. Your fireplace looks beautiful! That mirror is great. It really adds so much to the room. I really like your laurel wreaths over your windows. The black looks really nice with the mirror.

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  4. That is magnificent! What vision you have! I like the black wreath with the mirror, but I like the white one better as it seems to flow with the room. Just my opinion! I am going to have to copy some of your mantle ideas! Stunning!

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  5. ditto to the previous post. It looks so beautiful!, and it looks like it would be so much fun to do! (I also like the white laurel wreath better) =)

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  6. Looks great! Think I'll go to the beach!

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  7. It looks amazing Michelle! I love how you have transformed it and updated the look. Your summer display is just lovely! Well done! xx

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  8. This is a fantastic transformation - excellent!! The vingette you've created on the mantle looks terrific too!!
    Victoria

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  9. Beautiful!!! I love it all! I will be copying some of your ideas.

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  10. Wonderful. They have to be black to match the mirror.

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  11. Wow! That is a beautiful facelift you gave your little fireplace. Your first redo was good, but this one is over the top! Great job.

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  12. Beautiful, as usual. You never cease to amaze me.

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  13. WOW!!! it is gorgeous! i love the mantle set up you have, too. oh i wish i even had a fireplace! how nice!

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  14. I like the laurel wreaths black. :) Love the fireplace.

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  15. A beautiful transformation! You showed us a perfect example of how you can really change a look for little money and some time and elbow grease. Thanks for sharing the how-to. You and your husband did a great job. Now sit back and enjoy the results.
    Jane

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  16. Absolutely lovely on the fireplace itself, and I love how you accessorized it. Found you through Met Monday, and I will be following. Love your style!

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  17. This is lovely! ugly duckling turned swan!! :) (tho' I don't think ducklings are ugly at all.. :)

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  18. Love it. I also had an oak fireplace surround and we painted it white. I also have those two windows on either side which have been a challenge. Love how yours look.

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  19. you have definitely inspired me!! what a beautiful, detailed makeover and the photos were really good!
    all the best,
    donna

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  20. Michelle I LOVE your fireplace! You guys did an amazing job of revamping it. I especially love that you did white for the fireplace even though you have oak trim. We have oak trim and I'm always nervous to mix it with white built in accents - now that I see it - I LOVE IT!! :)

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  21. That is so awesome. It turned out so professional looking. You guys did a great job!

    Nancy

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  22. That looks wonderful, Michelle! I love how you 1x4's really dressed up the wall above the fireplace. Everything just ties together so nicely. Love the mirror. A side note that I like your laurels in black, as they mimic the mirror over the fireplace. That's my $.02! : )

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  23. Wow! Can you still use the fireplace...the heat doesn't hurt any of the changes...or catch on fire?

    It turned out beautifully...what an upgrade! Love it.

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  24. Love inexpensive fixes.

    DI

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  25. Ummm, excuse me, but YOUR rennovation of the fireplace WILL increase your resale value by far MORE than the original!! What a fabulous job you have done! It's stunning!

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  26. WOW! I am in love with your fireplace! Makes me want to update mine! You should definitely link up this project to enter my giveaway!

    http://framefanatic.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-time-for-giveaway-i-have-50.html

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  27. That looks great! See! I keep telling people to never cover up their fireplaces. There is something beautiful that can be done with them.

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  28. Michelle,
    I just love the new look!
    Makes the room very classy!
    Dee Dee

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  29. What a great idea! This will be so much fun to change with the seasons.

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  30. That is a wonderful transformation, so clever and inspiring. We have a fireplace that has been in need of a redo for 11 years. I am going to call my husband in to look at this as soon as I sign my name. Great job, both of you should be proud!!
    XO
    Heidi - Heart and Home

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  31. What a great remodel! It looks like it cost a lot, yet seems simple to do! I like how you've decorated the mantel too - the mirror is striking and the beach themed accessories perfect for summer!

    DD

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  32. Beautiful! I like the laurels in white!

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  33. THAT is amazing! It couldn't be more perfect. Great job.

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  34. Ack! I love it!!! You did an amazing job on your slipcover transformation as well as your vignette. Gorgeous.

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  35. Fabulousness. Pure fabulousness. It's the kind of fireplace other fireplaces aspire to be when they grow up. Namely mine. You guys did a fantastic job! PS, just in case it counts: I vote white on the laurel wreaths! ;)

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  36. Beautiful! This my favorite post of this week so far!

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  37. That is so sleek and modern - so much better than the original design. You must be so pleased!

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  38. Beautiful transformation! Love the floors, too - so rich against the fireplace and
    I prefer the black on the wreaths, repeating the mirror shape and finish.
    Paula ~ Mise en scรจne

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  39. Looks great! I say white wreaths above the windows>.

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  40. Wow! Love it! great job! White mouldings and trims fix about anything, I think! Great job on this!

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  41. Wow oh Wow!! Can I say Wow again! Amazing how you totally transformed a plain and simple room and fireplace. Very inspirational! Love it all!

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  42. I love how clean and bright it looks! Oh, and I like the white wreath =)

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  43. What a wonderful and fantabulous transformation. I love it and I love your mantel display and mirror.

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  44. Beautiful!!! I am hosting a CSN Giveaway so do stop by, and if you can please spread the word. Thanks a ton Anu

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  45. Thank is a spectacular transformation on a tiny budget. Im all about tiny budget to no budgets. I love the way it looks....I was going to give you my opinion of the color for the laurel wreaths but I cant decide. You have the white fireplace sooo white? Then you have the black mirror sooo black? Ugh...theyre both great, let us know what you decide. -Melanie

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  46. I am completely inspired! We had our fireplace done a year ago. But it's inspired me to get busy on something. You're sooo good!
    Brenda

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  47. Awesome! A fireplace slipcover... what a fabulous idea.

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  48. What vision you had, and how beautifully it turned out! Your vignette on the mantel looks so pretty too. laurie

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  49. I absolutely love it! We are getting ready to move into a house that needs a major fireplace facelift so thank you for the inspiration!!!! I'm so excited to see this!

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  50. Wow! Great inspiration! I have the same problem with my builders grade corner fireplace. This gives me a lot to think about!

    Also, really love the white on the wreaths above the window...adds a subtle mimic of the mirror above the fireplace.

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  51. AB.SO.LUTE.LY IN.CRED.I.BLE. A stone fireplace surround would be way to heavy in your room. This is fresh & airy. The round mirror is super against the square panels.

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  52. Wow. This is seriously fabulous. I love how you've decorated it as well. The whole room is full of cute accessories. LOVE!

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  53. awesome what you have done to this fireplace and surrounding area! AWESOME.

    God bless and may you have a super week-end,
    d from homehaven

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  54. I love it. Way to go. I'm inspired to do our fireplace now! Bravo!!

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  55. super job. If you keep the laurel leaf there it might need to be lighter to not rob a moment of glory from your awesome job and glorious mirror.

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  56. I just exposed my hideous fireplace for all the world to see on my blog, and one of my readers sent me over here to see what you did. Fantastic job! I'm inspired!

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  57. That looks great!!!!! And if it were me . . . I would paint the laurels to match the walls (I know that wasn't one of the options you put out there but . . .)

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  58. This is gorgeous! I echo Sue's question: are you still able to use the fireplace due to the heat put out?

    Before I saw your blog I asked my hubby if we could cover up the bricks on the fireplace and do something different with it, but he didn't think that we could because of fire-code and putting wood and stuff over it might be unsafe.

    So I am eager to know your thoughts! Thanks!

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  59. WOW! What a beautiful design :) I love how everything looks. Makes me wish we didn't have our TV mounted over our fireplace :) LOL... that is a fight my hubbie won :) Thanks for sharing!

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  60. I should have included that tid bit of information that the fireplace is non-working! Sorry...no worries about the heat!

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  61. If I had a fireplace I would so do this! I love the look of that modern fireplace. Great work!!

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  62. You did an amazing job.

    I am signing up to follow.
    Cheri from ItsSoVeryCheri.com and DIY Clubinc.com

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  63. Thank you for showing the before pics. Your before pic looks so much like our living room right now, (minus the fireplace: we live in Florida) It is so good to see that it is possible to make a room look beautiful which such a blank canvas to work with!

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  64. Looks great! You did a fantastic job! Like how it adds dimension - not just a flat wall! Well done!

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  65. Wow, great job. That's fabulous! I love what you have done.

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  66. I am seriously wanting to do this in my family room!! Only problem is the space above my mantle is a tall rectangle, not a perfect square (like yours... well, technically you have the vaulted ceiling part, but I'm not counting that.) Wonder if it would still look ok with the round mirror? By the way, where'd you get that mirror??? I love the beveled edge! I have black circle mirror above our headboard, but I like how flat and simple yours is.

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    1. The mirror is from Hobby Lobby....I think a round mirror would look good on a rectangular space too.

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  67. Wow, I just stumbled across your blog! I'm LOVING you fireplace makeover! Ingenious!

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  68. I love this Mantle!!! You did a great job! What is the mirror in the back of the actual fireplace? Are they tiles? I love how the candles reflect off of it.

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    1. They are 4" mirror candle plates, found at Hobby Lobby...I just used them like tile and glued them in the non-working fireplace.

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  69. I always wanted a house with a fireplace in it. I love the sea star you have. Where did you get it?

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    1. I did too, I was happy when this house had one. I am from the NC coast so novelty shell shops are widespread, I found that star fish at one of the little novelty shops....but it's been years and years (and years:).

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  70. That mantle is beautiful. You did a great job. Lovely house, all of it. I hope you will stop by my blog and read about my life as a Missouir farm Girl.

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  71. Hi Michelle Beautiful and creative. What is the paint and the colors you used on the walls?
    Susan :)

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  72. Susan,
    Thanks! The name of the color is: Fairmont Penthouse Stone from the Valspar line at Lowe's (semi-gloss). The white is pre-mixed-off the shelf.

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  73. I'm not going to lie.. I've been swooning over this fireplace for over a year now. And... well... I finally have one in my formal living room! YUP... I love it that much.

    Here's where I wrote about it... http://www.themarthaanne.com/2013/11/diy-fireplace-mantel.html

    Thanks for sharing with us and allowing me to see how you built it. I'm totally in love!

    Martha

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Thank You for taking the time to comment! Because of the insane amount of spam comments, I had to stop anonymous comments-sorry for the inconvenience.
Michelle