DIY Stone Fireplace Reveal (for real!)

Hello!

I’m so very excited to finally share my fireplace reveal!  This has been my longest DIY project – ever (over a year, with lots of changes in the plan), which makes its completion even more rewarding!

Suffice to say, I have no intention of doing masonry work any time in the near future, but there is something to be said about learning something new.  Not to mention the idea of doing something that scares you a bit – this kind of work is intimidating, which has a tendency to paralyze my progress.

However, I’m done (aside from some touch up on the grout), and not a moment too soon – with the holidays fast approaching.  It was a hot mess last year, so dressing it up for Christmas this year has been fun.

Ok, I’ll shut up.  Let the photo overload begin.

My husband finished the mantel, and I. love. it.  He did a fantastic job and brought the vision to life, despite my armchair quarterback tendencies.  Although with the number of iterations we went through during its construction, I don’t know if I can explain our creative process…

I can’t tell you how good it feels to have this project off my list, and the mortar dust (almost) out of my house.  That stuff just lingers, and I have a feeling that I’m going to be finding it in the days and weeks ahead.  Who am I kidding?  Months ahead.

You can’t have a proper reveal without some before photos, right?  How about one from when we first bought the house – prior to moving in?  Lots of changes – the walls, the floors, the built-ins, the TV (that’s artwork that used to roll up and down in front of the old TV) – even the outer portion of the coffered ceiling has been painted.  And of course, now the fireplace. 🙂

The niche above the fireplace always made it a tricky space, and the tile just didn’t jive with the style of the house.  The exterior is more craftsman in looks, with stone accents, so the new fireplace feels like it was supposed to be there in the first place.

No more niche!  Much better.

Here is a shot back when I painted the family room.

And now.  We’ve come a long way, baby.
You know I couldn’t leave it bare for long, and it’s been decked for the holidays.  It’s so much fun with a new canvas to work with.  Here is a sneak peek!

43 Comments

  • Reply
    Gillian Layne
    December 4, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    Huge project! Congratulations! It's gorgeous.

  • Reply
    Sheila
    December 4, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    It looks great! Very nice vision you had for this space. Definitely better than the before. Can't wait to see how it's all decked out for Christmas.

  • Reply
    Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles
    December 4, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    Oh, Jenny, it's absolutely stunning! And just in time to dress her all up for Christmas! The before and after is so amazing…it gives such a different look and feel to the entire room. Well done, and worth the wait I would say!

  • Reply
    Sandy A
    December 4, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Absolutely beautiful–lots of hard work–so worth all of your effort. It will be gorgeous decorated for the Christmas Season…

  • Reply
    pam {simple details}
    December 4, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    I'm in awe, Jenny!!!! Your diy skills and perseverance are SO impressive, and the transfomation couldn't be more dramatic! You should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment – can't wait for the Christmas reveal! 🙂

  • Reply
    Stacey
    December 4, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    I think I said this already but it seems like it really should have been that spectacular to begin with. Great job!!

  • Reply
    Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
    December 4, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    oh what a difference! it is GORGEOUS!

  • Reply
    Amy
    December 4, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    I love every choice you've made in this room. From the flooring to the wall color to the fireplace; it's all gorgeous!

  • Reply
    Laurie Hutchinson
    December 4, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    The fireplace is gorgeous!! Great job! You are so brave!

  • Reply
    Kelly
    December 5, 2013 at 12:41 am

    So beautiful, love all of it! Can I ask were the rug is from, love that too!
    Kelly

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 5, 2013 at 11:51 am

      Thanks Kelly! The rug was a steal from RugsUSA during one of their mega-sales (80% off!).

  • Reply
    Terry
    December 5, 2013 at 3:09 am

    Just stunning! You are so brave to attempt such a project! I'm impressed!

  • Reply
    Andrea
    December 5, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    Wow, you did it! I looks AMAZING. Looks like it was all worth it. I love the new look. I hope you are very proud of yourself. You should be! Can't wait to see it all decked out, along with the rest of your house, for the holidays.

  • Reply
    Andrea @ Decorating Cents
    December 5, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    I love it. The color you chose is perfect and so much more modern than the tile there before.

  • Reply
    Jill
    December 5, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    Beautiful! I'm sure you've mentioned it before but I missed it…what is the color on your walls? Is it blue or blue/grey?

  • Reply
    Lisa @ Shine Your Light
    December 5, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    OhMYGOSH. I love it Jenny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    It's beyond my wildest dreams!! No seriously – it came out beautifully, you and your husband must be soooo thrilled!! I'm so inspired right now, even though I just had a talk with myself about leaving our fireplace alone until after Christmas. But after seeing this……………….

    I'm so happy for you. You really did bring the vision to life and it's gorgeous.

  • Reply
    Courtana
    December 8, 2013 at 2:21 am

    It is gorgeous; and as much as I like the fireplace, I couldn't stop looking at your rug. Where didja find it?

  • Reply
    Kelly
    December 30, 2013 at 12:27 am

    Thanks Jenny, love your home!

    Kelly

  • Reply
    Abby
    January 7, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    It's absolutely beautiful! What a big project to tackle! The change is stunning!

  • Reply
    Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick
    January 14, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    It looks SO good girl! I know you are so happy to have this done finally! I'm impressed you did all that, I know it wasn't easy.

  • Reply
    Sweety Pea
    February 5, 2014 at 1:56 am

    Where did you get your rug! Its awesome!

  • Reply
    Cristina Garay
    March 2, 2014 at 11:32 pm

    So so pretty! I love it all!

  • Reply
    Lindsey Mckenzie
    March 12, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    I love how it looks now! You definitely have a great eye for design. Your new fireplace definitely has so much more character than how it formerly looked. I love the fact that you used those stones as part of the embellishment and now your fireplace looks really great. Good job!
    Lindsey Mckenzie

  • Reply
    Nikki
    August 2, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Hey there, I was just wondering where you got the rug from? I'm looking for something similar, and I'm having quite a time. Everything looks beautiful by the way! What a huge transformation!

  • Reply
    A Sailor's Wife
    August 2, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Hi, I came across your blog looking for tutorials for stacked stone as we would like to do a similar makeover. Did you end up using the air stone?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      August 3, 2014 at 1:27 am

      We started with the Airstone, but ended up using Heritage Stone – a manufactured stone. It was more work, but I'm really happy with the finished product!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      August 3, 2014 at 1:27 am

      Ooops – here's the link to Heritage Stone – http://www.proviaproducts.com/stone

  • Reply
    Shannon Cleveland
    August 3, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Hi! This room looks wonderful! Would you mind telling me the name of the bluish paint on the walls by fireplace? I LOVE it!

  • Reply
    Julie Wenkus
    September 2, 2014 at 2:39 am

    love this room, very warm and cozy! Would you mind telling where you got the tufted blue ottoman?

  • Reply
    Cari
    September 8, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Looks great! I was wondering about where you purchased your couch with the chaise and also the color? I am on the hunt for a sofa/sectional. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      September 13, 2014 at 5:45 pm

      The sectional is from Arhaus (The Emory) – the color is kind of a beige/brown herringbone – a fabric that I picked from their selections. I hope this helps!

  • Reply
    Dhruvi
    September 10, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Hi, could you please tell me where is the navy ottoman from and for how much, I am looking for exactly the same one. Thanks!

  • Reply
    Jen Gallacher
    September 11, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    You are giving me hope. My sister pinned this beautiful room, and I needed to see it today. We are midway through our own great room renovations and I'm totally discouraged. I need to print this out and carry it around with me because perhaps if our final result looks half as beautiful as yours then I CAN do this. 🙂

  • Reply
    Kristi McAteer
    December 15, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    I love your style and your fireplace turned out beautifully! Can you tell me how tall your ceilings are (before the coffered ceilings)?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      December 16, 2014 at 1:07 am

      Thanks Kristi! The ceilings are 12 feet in the family room. Hope this helps. 🙂

  • Reply
    sbryant
    March 2, 2015 at 8:18 pm

    Love it! Would you mind telling me the dimensions of the room, thanks!

  • Reply
    Laura
    January 19, 2017 at 12:25 am

    Hi Jenny, can you please tell me the angles for the fireplace including the part that is connected to your built in? We are doing something similar in my basement, but with benches instead of the built in and I am struggling with how to get the angles correct. Thanks!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 25, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      I am TERRIBLE with angles, and really have no idea what the angles on our fireplace are. I’m sorry I’m of no help!

  • Reply
    Christina
    August 16, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Hi Jenny!
    Do you mind sharing the type of flooring you have? Color & type.
    Living your room!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      August 17, 2017 at 7:20 am

      Bella Cera is the brand, and the actual description is “Handscraped Maple Tribeca” and the color is “Chateau”. Thanks for your kind words!

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