Six Fireplace Makeovers

Rachel

Whether your style is traditional, contemporary, mid-century, or something else, these six fireplace makeovers completed by Dana King Design Build Remodeling will inspire your next remodeling project.

1—Adding a Modern Mantel

When the stone or brick material is in good condition, but a simple modern update is desired, adding a floating mantel is a great solution.

A cozy living room with a high ceiling, featuring a large stone fireplace with a decorative clock. The room includes armchairs, a sofa, and a TV. Light streams in from large windows with plaid curtains. A patterned rug covers the floor. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

In this historic traditional Webster Groves home, the clients wanted to infuse a bit of mid-century modern style into the living room.

The floating modern mantel is versatile and cohesive with many home styles, and gave a traditional fireplace a fresh feel.

With added electrical outlets on either end, it has become very functional when decorating for different seasons and holidays.

2—Painting the Mantel

Curved wood victorian mantels certainly have a timeless silhouette, our clients’ wanted an update that was more contemporary.

A room with wood-paneled walls and stained glass windows on either side of a fireplace. The floor is polished wood, and the overall look is vintage. The word "BEFORE" is in the top left corner. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

In the before, the wood paneled walls blend in with the mantel, causing the curved design to disappear in this Frontenac home.

Inspired by Parisian design that blends victorian and modern design, we made the decision to paint the mantel a solid black, and the walls a matte white. Together with the new black framed windows, this high contrast fireplace is a beautiful example of blending new and old to achieve high-end design.

3—Adding Trim Moulding

A fireplace ‘floating’ on a blank wall is something we often see in newer build homes. Our clients wanted more character added to their home and the fireplace to become a prominent feature.

A living room with a minimalist design. A sofa faces a fireplace with a round mirror and decorative vases above it. There's a floor lamp on the right and a coffee table with candles in front. Walls are beige, and the floor is light wood. "Before" is on the top left. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

This O’Fallon home’s stone fireplace had already been painted once a neutral creamy beige. However, after living with it for a couple years, they noticed it was blending in more than it was standing out.

While built-in shelves is a common traditional solution, a more transitional approach is to add picture-frame trim moulding. The trim moulding above the mantel and on the whole wall brings in architectural details that highlight the ceiling height, and add tone-on-tone texture.

4—Adding Large Format Tile

In a downtown loft apartment, a modern fireplace without a mantel is a classic approach, but our clients’ wanted luxe design with timeless materials.

A modern living room with a black sofa, a brown leather chair, and a fireplace. The room has wooden floors, large windows, and ceiling lights. The space is decorated with framed art and a central glass coffee table. The word "BEFORE" is in the top left corner. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

The existing fireplace was mounted on a drywall bump-out painted a contrasting color.

Adding large format tile in a dark slate color to the fireplace, flanked on either side with low floating shelves provides space for colorful art, decorative objects, and ultimately transforms the fireplace wall into a focal point.

5—Painting the Brick

Here at Dana King, we love Mid-Century Modern homes. A common feature of that design period is the standalone brick fireplace. This Chesterfield home’s fireplace was in poor shape, with the brick becoming discolored and splotchy with time.

A brick fireplace in a living room with a white chair on the left and a basket with toys and a yellow vase on the hearth. The word "BEFORE" is in the top left corner, suggesting it's part of a renovation series. Kitchen area is visible in the background. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

A modern living room with a white brick fireplace featuring a black insert. Above the fireplace is a decorative metal wall art. The room has a green accent wall, a rug, and a small table with a black mug and books. The kitchen is partially visible. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

Replacing the insert and painting the brick with a solid light color was a simple makeover that still honored the mid-century design. Adding simple crown trim that wrapped all the way around provided a finished look that also sealed the transition from pests or moisture from the attic.

6—Replacing Wood Moulding with Plaster

Wood moulding and trim is beautiful and works with many design styles, but it can add more visual weight to a room. When wanting to simplify fireplace design, removing and replacing wood moulding with plaster can transform the entire space.

A cozy living room with large windows, a ceiling fan, and a fireplace. The room has a beige couch, an armchair with a red pattern, a glass coffee table, and hardwood floors. A painting hangs above the fireplace. The word "BEFORE" is in the top left corner. Dana King Design Build Remodeling | St. Louis Remodeling Company

Our clients in this Ladue home were drawn to the rustic, French-inspired stonework that prevails throughout the rest of the home, and wanted their fireplace to be consistent with that. Scaling down the fireplace was their wish.

All wood moulding was removed, a new rustic and salvaged mantel brought in, mounted below freshly plastered and tapered overmantel. Subtle texture and timeless finishes are hallmarks to French Country style, pairing beautifully with the curved, elegant furnishings.