We can officially call this one finished. Sherry ceremonially stuck an oversized faux clam shell on top, but the important part is the fireplace makeover is done.
To recap: we planned the refacing, added marble subway tile, and built out a tailored surround. Reminder: fireplace code varies by location and by whether a fireplace is wood-burning or has a gas insert, so always check local requirements before beginning work on a fireplace.
Our fireplace is non-working for now (we’re considering a gas insert and maybe double-sided down the road). For this phase, the remaining steps were primer and paint.
The painting process was straightforward: we primed with supplies we already had, then painted the surround with Benjamin Moore’s Cloud Cover to match nearby cabinets and because we had leftover paint. We touched up the firebox with its original Benjamin Moore Temptation. Note: if you have a working fireplace, use a high-heat, fireplace-approved paint.
After letting the paint cure for a couple of days, we returned décor and accessories and called the project complete. It feels cozy and finished—Sherry is especially pleased.
Update: Some readers asked whether we widened the tiled hearth to match the built-out sides. We considered it, but the thin shoe molding that runs around our cabinets didn’t bother us enough to remove cork flooring to widen the hearth. If it starts to bug us, we may paint the brown floor trim white to visually widen the hearth.
Here’s a before-and-after shot:
And here’s what the fireplace looked like when we bought the house in 2010:
The painting step didn’t add to the project cost since we used supplies on hand. The tiled portion cost $99 and the build-out cost $98.75. Below is the full breakdown:
- Cement board (2 sheets): $16
- Masonry screws: already owned
- Liquid Nails Heavy Duty: $2
- Subway tile (5.50/sq ft): $70
- Thinset: already owned
- Tiling tools (saw, trowel, float, etc.): already owned
- Grout: $11
- Tile sealer: already owned
- MDF frame: $35
- Mantle top: $17
- Crown, baseboard, & decorative trim: $22.75
- 1 x 2″ boxes: $24
- TOTAL: $197.75 (with holiday gift cards we ended up spending $147.75; without gift cards or already owned supplies this could be closer to $250)
We’re very happy with the result. The herringbone marble and the built-out surround give the fireplace a refined, high-end look. It’s our first tiled fireplace and it instantly elevates the room.
To conceal the exposed cement board edge around the firebox, we used a slightly rounded scrap trim piece from our pile. We glued it in place before grouting to create a clean edge and then painted it to match the surround. For a working wood-burning fireplace, you’d want to use a noncombustible trim or an appropriate tile edge instead. If we ever convert to wood-burning (unlikely because of the needed chimney work), we would remove the wood trim and install proper tile edge pieces.
Now for a few more after photos.
One more:
And a final shot:
Here’s a comparison that shows the original slim, top-heavy surround versus the new chunkier framed version that reads more like a focal point. The photos don’t fully capture the texture and depth of the white-on-white elements, which look better in person.
Best of all, the herringbone marble fireplace now holds its own against our penny-tile wall on the other side of the room. The two features complement each other and make the kitchen feel more balanced. As Sherry put it, it’s a friendly “swank-off” between the fireplace and the penny tile — both are winners in our book.
That wraps up this fireplace update. We’re glad it’s done and are excited to move on to porch and carport projects once the weather cooperates. What projects are you working on—tiling, mantel building, painting, or something else? And who else is placing giant faux clam shells around the house?
If you want to follow the makeover from the beginning, see our planning, tiling, and build-out posts for more detail.
