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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Fireplaces

Botched Fireplace Makeover

Cheryl Marie James

last year

last modified: last year

We are lucky enough to have a beautiful waved fireplace in our bedroom. however we were not keen on the 70s brick facade finding it too austere for our liking. Saw some great DIY examples of the overgrout technique (see pic) unfortunately it did not turn out as desired and is now quite the mess. Hoping for some ideas to refinish it. one option is to cover with venetian plaster for a kind-of concrete look.

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Comments (6)

nickel_kg
last year
Would paint help? Make the color uniform yet keep some texture for interest?
Cheryl Marie James thanked nickel_kg
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BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
I suspect you doubted the process early on. You should have persisted.

Did you take the time to view videos before you embarked on the process?
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My existing h fireplace is so Sad. I am wanting this mantle And look without cutting into Or changing any structure. It would be more of an addition. I’ve looked for this. The left one is my inspo Mantle everywhere. Help me Find this product!
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This Since it's asymmetrical, don't call attention to it by putting something in the middle. Remove those lower two plants and candles. you could do a basket w/a throw if you like. I'd bring in a natural wood mantle (I used a thin one in the pic above) I actually like doing something above your fireplace so that it's more of a focal point. I'd like to paint it a darker color. black, a dark bronze, something. Maybe one of these darker colors Then I'd bring in furniture that looks something like this: I'd also do a hide rug, maybe layer it over a jute or sisal. if you like the lighter neutral tones: you could also do the wood mantle and do a bunch of plants. (no candles) another photoshop. I opened up the firebox and got rid of the gold. if you must keep it, consider painting it a matte black. easy to do what's on the sides of the fireplace? do you have room to do any built-ins or something? BTW, just for grins, if you want to see what you stone looks like painted:
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IMO the TV is too high above the mantel . I agree the 2 boxes below the mantel make no sesnse since it appears this is a gas FP. IMO get a linear FP if that is the only place for the TV and then hang the TV at a much better viewing height That eliminatesthe 2 boxes and puts the TV in the right spot BTW the surround you show and the tile do not work together. It is also always good to see your style so post that in a comment here do not strat another post.
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Cheryl Marie James
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
BeverlyFLADeziner, I did. lots and lots of videos… yes i have to admit i got cold feet early on and tried to get a bunch of the mortar off ( if u can believe there was actually more) the mortar is too white and kind of looks more like German smear than overgrout. the video tutorial i watched used white mortar but i think their tile format was bigger so i ended up with more mortar than brick 🤦‍♀️
tracefloyd
last year
Press on and finish the brick as you intended so the fireplace still looks like brick. I find the idea of a curved concrete form unappealing.
arlosmom
last year
I agree that you should finish as you started. Even if you decide to go a different way in the future, you'll want to start from a unified place not differing surfaces. I actually like what you've done so far.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
I would finish it. I think what you have done so far is better than the original. How about some photos of the bedroom? There is a lot you could do with decor to make your mistake turn out great.

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