Is it getting hot in here? This Reader Remodel Contest from brought in a bunch of amazing fireplace renovations, ranging from rustic stone hearths in kitchens to more-traditional living room fireplaces surrounded by elegant woodwork and space for entertainment gear. Here are a few outstanding examples.
Rustic Stone Fireplace
- Who: Mary M.
- Where: Belmont, MI
- Who did the work: We did all the work ourselves.
- Cost: $1,000-$5,000
Before
We sledged the bricks out, one by one. Then we removed the fireplace insert and gas logs, and we took out the walls, including the outside wall, so we could properly insulate it. My husband had to move the header in order to make the opening larger. He then fashioned a dome insert in order to form the drywall in a dome shape, instead of a square opening. We were in constant communication with the fireplace/stove business owner in Tennessee because installing a stove would need a lot more space “to code,” since it would be generating a lot more heat. After all the cement work, we put in cultured stone, a small tiled floor just under the stove, and we tore out carpet and installed ceramic stone tile that looks just like barn-wood slats.
After
It was such a dramatic change, our neighbors were blown away. The stove is so efficient we had to move the thermostat upstairs in order for it to come on and heat the rest of the house. We found a 100-year-old barn door in the bargain corner for $40, and we put it on the walls around the fireplace opening. It is super rustic, and part of the door was chewed by cows or horses, which makes a good story, and it makes the door look rustic and authentically old.
Fireplace Becomes Focal Point
Who: Jocelynn G.
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
Who did the work: We did all the work ourselves.
Cost: $100-$500
Before
We painted the rock backing of the original fireplace. Framed the mantel and columns. Built and installed the cabinets. Trimmed the columns. Tiled the hearth and mantel. Painted and primed. Ran all electrical in through the mantel and column.
After
This remodel brightened our living room and updated it from the 1960s era to 2013. This project created a focal point for our living room and gave us a place to mount the TV.
Fireplace Overhaul
- Who: Charles S.
- Where: Mount Airy, MD
- Who did the work: We did most of the work ourselves.
- Cost: $5,000-$10,000
Before
We totally gutted the “garden” level of the house. We added new insulation, drywall, radiant-heated floor, ceramic tile, electrical and fireplace insert. The stone fireplace with recovered barn-beam mantel is the focal point of room.
After
We consulted with a fireplace expert and had the fireplace insert and flue liner installed by professionals.
Craftsman-Style Mantel With Surround
- Who: Robert B.
- Where: Carson City, NV
- Who did the work: I did all the work myself.
- Cost: $100-$500
Before
This project involved woodwork and finishing, which included carving a saying into the mantel. Also, I did tilework and metal work, which involved welding and pounding the copper hood into shape.
After
We have a 1970s tract home but are in love with the Craftsman era and are slowly remodeling our home one room at a time as we can afford it. I do all of my own work and keep everything on a low budget.
Old Hearth, New Hearth
Who: Sharon D.L.
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
Who did the work: I did some of the work myself but a contractor did most of it.
Cost: $1,000-$5,000
Before
The hardest part of the remodel from the building perspective was etching out the brick so that the doors would fit. For sourcing, the most difficult part was finding marble that matched in color to the original that we found at the architectural salvage warehouse. Many marble yards no longer carried the color or had pieces long enough.
After
The entire remodel of the fireplace only took two weeks. I had been looking over a year and a half for all the pieces to start this project. With all the work that I do, I try to have everything there before the project begins. By accumulating the parts of the project over time, the cost overrun is minimal.
Ventless Fireplace
- Who: Erik B.
- Where: Sebago, ME
- Who did the work: I did all the work myself.
- Cost: $1,000-$5,000
Before
This project consisted of conceptualizing and building a custom TV corner with a fireplace.
After
The homeowner completed all phases of construction.
Full Mantel Overhaul With Tile Front
- Who: Dean A.
- Where: Saratoga, CA
- Who did the work: I did all the work myself.
- Cost: $100
Before
This project involved the design and fabrication of a new mantel for the fireplace during a complete home remodel. The home changed from a typical 1950s California ranch style to a 1900s American Craftsman style. The mantel incorporates a dentil molding decoration that follows the one used in the new front door and other details throughout the house. The wood used is cut from large timbers of redwood salvaged from a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz mountains, about 20 miles from the house. The 2-by-8-inch 6-foot-long shelf was purposely cut to expose the unfinished bark edge, including a knothole, in the center of the front edge.
After
I like best the way that the mantel fits in with the rest of the Craftsman-style details of the house and matches the entry door exactly. The entire room, furnished with 1920s furniture and oil paintings on the walls, is very restful and pleasing. These details were all done by my daughter, who owns the home, including the choice and layout of the new tile surrounding the fireplace.
Double-Sided Fireplace
- Who: Mike H.
- Where: Ozark, MO
- Who did the work: I did all the work myself.
- Cost: $100-$500
Before
After working with the builder to have his crew install the firebox and basic frame when the house was built, I was able to finish the fireplace myself. I took some time planning because this fireplace was located in the unfinished walk-out basement. I applied the plywood according to my own design. The fireplace is double-sided, so I designed the mantel to wrap completely around the firebox.
After
I enjoy woodworking and love to try new and different projects. I had never designed and created a fireplace surround before, so I enjoyed the challenge and am very, very satisfied with the outcome.
Entertainment Built-in with Fireplace
- Who: Bill and Nancie W.
- Where: Somerset, KY
- Who did the work: We did all the work ourselves.
- Cost: $500-$1,000
Before
We drew up several designs before finally coming up with one that we agreed on. We did research on putting the TV in the fireplace, but refused to buy a ready-to-install kit. We built the box for the TV and ran electrical and cable. Electrical had to be modified to hide the boxes for the antique French sconces. We also ran electrical in the mantel for Christmas lights and accent lights in the alcoves.
After
It turned out better than we thought. It is the focal point of the room. The antique French lights accent the whole project. The curved lines of the fireplace really soften the look. The very best part of the project is that we did it together and loved every minute of it.
Castoff Mantel Gets Second Life
- Who: Ken M.
- Where: Glen Ridge, NJ
- Who did the work: I did some of the work myself but a contractor did most of it.
- Cost: $100-$500
Before
The work involved gluing the mantel to the wall and having the contractor build the crown molding around it to make it look as if it were seamless and all part of the original design.
After
We thought adding the mantel and gluing in a mirror would enhance the dining room.
A Cozy Fireplace Focal Point
- Who: Justin H.
- Where: Carrollton, TX
- Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.
- Cost: $5,000-$10,000 (living room)
Before
I replaced the carpeting with wood floors, removed the picture frame molding and the wall paneling. Removed the popcorn ceilings and had the walls and ceiling textured. Removed the fireplace hearth, boxed in the top of the fireplace with drywall, tiled over brick with travertine tiles and added travertine to the floor in front of the fireplace. Built a custom mantel to fit around the fireplace, which is the focus of the room. Added large crown molding and 10-inch baseboard to scale in the room. Added thicker architectural door casings to scale in the room. Walls were painted a soft green to keep the room open yet cozy. All the work was done by myself except for laying the wood floors and texturing the walls and ceiling.
After
I started remodeling this home when we bought it 10 years ago. The first remodel job (the guest bathroom) has many things I would do differently and better. This living room is the culmination of all of the skills I built while remodeling the rest of the house and it is truly a point of pride for me.
New England Cottage Aesthetic
Before
- Who: Jeffrey A.
- Where: Birmingham, MI
- Who did the work: I did some of the work myself but a contractor did most of it.
- Cost: More than $100,000 (whole house)
I purchased this, my first home, in June 2008. It was a charming 1927 English-style cottage set in a wonderful neighborhood. I could see the home had great bones but needed work inside and out. My dad, who is retired, and I worked together to devise plans and a strategy to completely remake the home inside and out. We gutted the home to the studs, preserving what we could (roof, original floor, shell, plaster walls where applicable, and interior doors) and rebuilding every square inch of the rest.
After
I believe the house is truly wonderful. It fits the lifestyle of my new wife and me perfectly. It is in keeping with both the neighborhood and the New England aesthetic that I am so fond of, and everything from color to material choice to execution is exactly how I envisioned.
Rustic Hearth Renovation
- Who: Kaye U.
- Where: Lyons, GA
- Who did the work: We did most of the work ourselves.
- Cost: $500-$1,000
Before
We removed the old floor covering and preserved the original tongue-and-groove pine flooring. Removed gypsum board from the walls and uncovered the original tongue-and-groove beadboard. Leveled the room and repaired rotted floor joists. Repaired the fireplace by pouring new concrete and installing reclaimed brick from an old syrup chimney, located on the farm, as a new hearth. Replaced the subfloor and reinstalled the original pine flooring.
After
It turned out by salvaging flooring from both the kitchen and dining area we had just enough to put back down in the dining room. Noteworthy: We had one board to spare. Also, there are no more water lines attached to the wall.
One-of-a-Kind Fireplace
- Who: Joshua B.
- Where: Kalamazoo, MI
- Who did the work: I did all the work myself.
- Cost: $100-$500
Before
I removed the tile surround and drywall. Since it was open, I insulated the chimney chase and then used cement board in place of drywall. I applied metal lath and a scratch coat of mortar. Then my wife and I laid out and cut cinnamon-bark ledge stone using a dry-stack joint. I also replaced the floor tiles in front of the hearth with a slate-like ceramic tile. Lastly, I built a mantel out of red oak, adding details of wood inlay banding and inset tiles from an artisan tileworks shop in Detroit (Pewabic Pottery).
After
Even though the project turned out, in my opinion, wonderfully, the best feature is that I did it from start to finish. Numerous trips to the stone yard to speak with the workers there, Internet research for the right tiles for the inset, and speaking to a local fireplace shop helped me gain the knowledge to build this. I am sure some people may not like it, some pros may find flaws in it, but I am happy.
Curved Copper Ceiling
- Who: Jennifer D.
- Where: Liberty Township, OH
- Who did the work: We did all the work ourselves.
- Cost:: $1,000-$5,000
Before
My husband resurfaced the entire fireplace, added a granite hearth, and did an amazing job on the ceiling. The home has a curved ceiling due to the time period in which it was built. We didn’t want to sacrifice the integrity of the home so he created a copper ceiling. It’s incredible. He also removed the carpet and laid a hardwood floor with a cherry border.
After
The room is very classic while still up-to-date in terms of design. It’s warm and appealing and by keeping the curved ceilings intact, it still has the character it once had.
Dressing Up the Ridge Beam and Ceiling
- Who: Hallie B.
- Where: Valdosta, GA
- Who did the work: We did all the work ourselves.
- Cost: $500-$1,000
Before
We didn’t like the room’s design.
After
We gutted this room and added custom molding around the ridge beam. We added thick crown molding to the vaulted ceiling and built a custom mantel to replace the old beam-type one that was there before.