I’m not sure why I can’t get them to upload.

Ill keep trying! Here’s a link to my inspiration source. I plan on using this technique, just not sure what material to use..

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/stone-fireplace-makeover-mountain-house

Post the pictures in acomment wait until they are no longer grayed then submit. I have no idea which one of those pics is what you want.

The first photo is what the wall currently looks like, the second is the look I’m going for.

I see one photo now. Are you committed to the puffy mortar look or would you consider changing the fake rock to something completely new?

The after picture you show with the white almost hiding the stone is that the look you want?

@patricia colwell consulting

yes! Thats exactly the look I’m going for. :)

@apple_pie_order we hate the rocks! Id love to tear it all out And do something new here.

But I love how the fireplace turned out in the second photo. Kind of a German Schmear over grouted look. I thought this could be a good/ easier solution over tearing everything out.

I think you will have a very difficult time covering those protruding stones to get that look I would just start over with a new set of stone work that you can do that with or better stone work you love that you don’t have to play with. By the time you get to the look you want all but a couple of stones will be covered and I honestly do not think that is an attractive look .

The covered-over mortared rocks are a lot bigger than the woodstove's fake rocks. How about getting an estimate for a new surface you'd really love? Even if new is not in the budget at this point, you could go ahead with the temporary fix and you'll know what it will cost later on when you are ready.

Your stones are nothing like the ones in the site you linked to; you cannot expect similar results. The stones on edge will disappear and the rounded ones will show too little surface.

Further, that remuddled fireplace you linked to looks like garbage--like a bad stone job that used too few stones and waaaay too much mortar. That's the kind of thing that people post in here sobbing about how badly the fireplace (or backsplash or tub surround or...) turned out. Nobody--nobody--lays stone like that with that much mortar, except a DIY homeowner with no clue.

Thanks for your input! I’m going to give it a go before we tear everything out. If it doesn’t work out- we‘re only out a couple days work and maybe 100$ worth of material and we will rip it out. I feel like it can’t get any worse than it already is Haha!

Really, I’m just wondering if anyone had any input on what type of mortar/ material to use.

@tatts haha I’m probably in the minority, but I like that lots of mortar, little stone look. To each his own I guess ;)

Hi Katelyn, Did you end up taking on this project? I am curious how it ended up if you did! I have a similar, huge fireplace and I like the mortar look.

Hello! Did you ever plater over your river rock fireplace? I would be curious how it worked out for you.