Our living room has a stone fireplace that we want to look more contemporary. I would love to cover it, but I’m not sure what would be the best way to do this. I’ve seen some frame and cover it with shiplap, but I’m not sure that’s the look we want.
– John W., Philadelphia, PA
Thank you for your question, John! Unless you are planning to take out the stone entirely and replace it with something else, I would recommend leaning into it and figuring out how to work around it, rather than covering it up with shiplap.
Paint the Stone for a Modern Feel
There are a few ways you can modernize a stone fireplace, the first being painting the stone one color to give it a more neutral, modern feel. You can whitewash them, but I would lean towards going with a darker charcoal tone.
Add Sleek, Modern Fireplace Elements
Next, I would incorporate a black, modern fireplace screen. This can either be one that’s built in with doors or a standalone screen. I would also add a large, floating mantle, which can help to modernize a space versus an older, more traditional style mantle.
Update the Accessories for a Cohesive Look
You can also get a set of modern fireplace tools and a leather log holder, as I think once you start to decorate the fireplace itself with pieces that fit the style you are going for, you will notice the overall appearance changes.
Photo Courtesy Cameron Hamilton.
