Stunning Fireplace Makeover: Before & After

Your fireplace should be without question, the focal point of your room. People should walk into your room and say “wow” because it looks stunning.

Does Your Fireplace Look Stunning or Dated?

Does it have old stone or brick? Don’t worry if you have a dated or boring fireplace.  With a little bit alot of hard work you can transform your fireplace into something that you are really proud of and that your guests will say “wow”.

We moved into a newer home several months ago and inherited this ugly ornate fireplace.  It didn’t suit our style and it certainly didn’t suit the style of the home.  It was one of the first renovations that we tackled.

Does this fireplace make a good first impression?  Absolutely not!!!  The “doo-dad” on the fireplace, the dated faux paint style and the brass insert gives the impression that the house is older than it actually is.

Here’s the ugly fireplace in all its glory.  I think the “doo-dad” actually might be upside down.Do you think the doo-dad is upside down? lol

Removing the “Doo-Dad”

The first job was to tackle the ugly doo-dad.  With a hammer and chisel, little by little the doo-dad came off.  But not without a fight!!

We sanded down the remaining bumps that wouldn’t come off easily.

Filling up the gaps where we were overly anxious and dug into the fireplace.   It was alot of work to get the “doo-dad” off but wait to you see the results. Finally I painted over that awful dated faux paint color. I couldn’t wait to paint over the fireplace.

 Painting the Brass Insert with Rustoeum’s High Heat Black Gloss Paint

I painted the brass fireplace with rustoleum’s high heat black gloss paint to update the dated brass fireplace.  I used a foam brush so that I wouldn’t get brush marks.  It took 3-4 coats to cover up the brass.

I used the spray paint version in a previous fireplace update, but the weather was much too cold outside for spraying. I prefer the spray paint version if your weather co-operates. Its much faster, easier and smoother to go on than the paint version. You actually do need to follow the manufacturer’s directions when it comes to painting. Ask me how I know lol. I tried to cheat several times on various projects and I have finally conceded to temperature recommendations. LOL

Read: How to spray paint your brass fireplace screen black

Here’s the ugly before as a reminder:

The Reveal – A Stunning Fireplace Transformation

What a difference a bit of sanding and paint can make.

The fireplace is now a stunning focal point in the room and no longer the ugly duckling.

Here’s what the room look liked before we moved in:

What a difference from the before to how it looks now. Unfortunately the homeowner that we bought the home from, had the house looking like this when he sold it. The house sold below what it should have for the incredible features that the house had and its amazing ravine lot. But unfortunately, most people don’t have the vision to create a ho hum room into a space that is not only functional, but will have everyone saying WOW when they see your room.

Want to know what the latest fireplace trends are? Click here to read

I help busy homeowners, just like you, to style their house to make it a stunning retreat, where they can live and enjoy their home. I help homeowners, make money beyond their wildest expectations from the sale of their house by guiding them when they’re getting their house ready to sell.

Hi! I’m Debi Collinson. I’m an interior design consultant, color expert, and real estate investor.

— My design advise to the world is … styling your home is the BIG secret in having an Instagram worthy home as opposed to a ho hum look.

— My superpower is about styling to make your home stunning all while adding value to your home at the same time!

— It all started back in 2006, where I nervously staged my very first home. The sellers liked their newly styled home so much that they turned down an offer for full asking price and stayed. I went back to design school and the rest is history. I’ve been working my “magic” with hundreds of clients to create a stunning retreat whether they’re styling to stay or staging to sell! In my spare time, LOL, I buy “fixer uppers” to fix up & either sell for a healthy profit or to rent. I’m just flipped my 9th “fixer upper” and updating our 1950’s river house. Sign up to receive my e-mails on how to make your home your stunning retreat, how to sell your house for top dollar AND how to become financially independent one fixer upper at a time! Read my whole story and design credentials here.