A Stunning Fireplace Facelift: Before and After
- Jennifer Bell
- 28 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Transforming a fireplace can breathe new life into any living space, making it a focal point that combines comfort and style. Recently, we gave our fireplace a makeover, showcasing an impressive before-and-after transformation that illustrates the impact of thoughtful design.
The Before: An Eyesore
Unpopular opinion: I watched HGTV's Fixer Upper about three times before I loathed the black and white, faux farmouse aesthetic touted by Joanna Gaines. I cannot imagine how poor Jo must have felt about doing the same design week in and week out to please a network that was determined to please advertisers.
During the Fixer Upper years, EVERY SINGLE flat SURFACE was CoVeReD in shiplap. This is amusing, becuase until that show aired, I LIKED shiplap. I liked it when it was real... when one could knockl the plaster off of a wall and find it. I don't like fake. I like the real deal. I like farmhouses... when they are REAL.
I live on a teeny farm. I do not need to label my kitchen with words saying farmhouse kitchen. I know where I am most of the time. Also, my house was built in 2000-ish. There is not a single piece of real shiplap under the drywall in my home.
When we purchased this house in 2023, the fireplace was a punch in the gut from 2014, featuring unflattering black shiplap facade that muddied its potential charm. This color choice created a visually cluttered atmosphere, distracting from the adjacent view of our land, and making the room feel disjointed and very small. The asymmetry of the offset fireplace, the black stripey look of the shiplap further exacerbated the problem, giving the area an awkward appearance that did not invite coziness or warmth.
After (HGTV's Joanna Gaines): A Fresh Take on Timeless Design
The transformation was striking. By removing the fakey fake shiplap, and making use of the entire wall, as well as replacing the tiny mantle with a wrap-around the entire room looks larger. The mantle seems to point to the view outside the window. The new color scheme warmed the room, creating a fresh feel that contrasted beautifully with the existing earthy tones. To illustrate the changes further, here are stunning before and after photos from this stunning makeover:
A Stunning Fireplace Facelift: Before and After
FEATURE | BEFORE | AFTER |
Color | Sherwin Williams Iron Ore | |
Surround | Shiplap | Stacked wood |
Use of Space | Peninsula FP appearing very modern and asymmetrical. | Peninsula FP wall appearing wider, more traditional, and more symmetrical. |
Overall Aesthetic | Tall, narrow, and dark. | Fresh, inviting, and cohesive |
Key Takeaways from the Fireplace Transformation:
Change: A simple shift to a neutral palette can dramatically alter the mood of a room. Additionally removing the vertical striped effect of the wall, and covering the entire wall in the new treatment made the room appear much larger.
Repurposing: Using repurposed teak saves it from the landfill and warms the room.
Cohesion: Aligning the fireplace's color and style with the rest of the room ensures that it becomes a seamless part of the design narrative.
This fireplace facelift not only enhanced the visual appeal of the room but also transformed it into a comfortable, inviting space—a perfect spot for gatherings or quiet evenings curled up with a good book.
Whether you're considering a full renovation or a few strategic updates, the right choices can lead to a remarkable transformation. If you're inspired by this facelift, why not explore the possibilities for your own home? Make sure to drop a note and tell me all about it!