I was eager to get started on updating our fireplace when we first moved in. It has this great plaster arch that we really wanted to highlight. We were able to modernize the space through a few cosmetic updates that mixed high and low elements for a budget of under $1000.

We started by trying to strip off some of the layers of the glossy white paint to give it a more white washed look. It turned out to be a ton of work so we weren’t able to peel back as many layers as we thought, but it wound up being enough to take off the high gloss finish and let hints of the brick to peek through.

Stripping the paint.

After tile demo.

Tile in progress.

Beams we found in our yard.

I wanted to replace the existing tile with something that reminded me of some of the beautiful patterns I saw in Guatemala and throughout my travels in Latin America. I ended up finding a hand-painted tile on Ebay from Mexico, making the hearth a real focal point. After updating some of the firebrick we painted the firebox black, using high heat paint.

I was looking for a wood beam mantle online but ended up saving a few hundred dollars by using a piece of weathered wood that we found in our backyard (left by the previous owners) and just sanding it and sealing it.

Swapping out the sconces with a bit of a higher end wood-bead light fixture, mixed with some vintage brass switch plates which I sanded down for a brushed gold look (from our favorite local salvage store Community Forklift) helped us tie the space together, all for under $1000.

The Fireplace Project