Fireplace ideas needed

[rubytue]

I had this grand plan of doing something like a stacked stone or flat tile over this 80s stucco (house is somewhat MCM). We ran into major rot issues under the windows of the sun room, so, I don’t think my $23/ft^2 preference is in the budget. But this stucco is soooooo not my style. 

I’m currently tossing around a smooth concrete resurface. But… I am getting stuck on how or who. Everyone I find does exterior stucco, prefab concrete countertops, or exterior concrete work.  I can’t even find DIY things on Pinterest.  

Attachments:

[rubytue]

(I’m also really frustrated with contractors right now. I had two out today who both took one look at the rotting around our windows and walked away - dude… look at this? Look at out house? Do you not see the repeat business you are likely to get?! This was not a too small job. We literally have the exterior siding ripped off and rotting framing. Current thinking we have to rebuild this whole room)

[Deleted]

We redid our fireplace last year and did a stacked stone look over the existing brick. I love how it turned out. It was a fairly simple DIY, the most complicated part was cutting the corners because of course I picked a stone veneer that have pre-made corners available. Otherwise, it honestly wasn't any more difficult than laying tile. It was also super affordable, like, less than $5 sq ft if I recall correctly.

[orval]

Do you want to DIY? This blog has step by step. Doesn't seem too difficult.

designertrapped.com/diy-concrete-fireplace-less-100/

[rubytue]

Aug 20, 2021 9:31:28 GMT -5 orval said:

Do you want to DIY? This blog has step by step. Doesn't seem too difficult.

designertrapped.com/diy-concrete-fireplace-less-100/

Thank you! I looked at that one two nights ago, before we discovered our walls are literally rotting from the inside. And then couldn’t find it again. 

[rubytue]

Aug 20, 2021 6:56:29 GMT -5 @sameoldstory said:

We redid our fireplace last year and did a stacked stone look over the existing brick. I love how it turned out. It was a fairly simple DIY, the most complicated part was cutting the corners because of course I picked a stone veneer that have pre-made corners available. Otherwise, it honestly wasn't any more difficult than laying tile. It was also super affordable, like, less than $5 sq ft if I recall correctly.

Yeah… there are more affordable options. I just fell in *love* with a very pricey one 😔

[Deleted]

Aug 20, 2021 15:38:54 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Aug 20, 2021 6:56:29 GMT -5 @sameoldstory said:

We redid our fireplace last year and did a stacked stone look over the existing brick. I love how it turned out. It was a fairly simple DIY, the most complicated part was cutting the corners because of course I picked a stone veneer that have pre-made corners available. Otherwise, it honestly wasn't any more difficult than laying tile. It was also super affordable, like, less than $5 sq ft if I recall correctly.

Yeah… there are more affordable options. I just fell in *love* with a very pricey one 😔

Oh, I get that, my whole house is full of second choices LOL Maybe post a link of the one you love And we can help you find a less expensive alternative?

[dr.girlfriend]

What is your style? Can we see the rest of the room, or at least your plans for some of it? I think I would tend toward waiting and then just getting what you want later. I know it's tempting to try to do everything at once, but just adding a facade to an existing fireplace sounds like something you could easily do later once you're all moved in and have figured out what's actually happening with the rest of the room.

[rubytue]

Aug 21, 2021 11:11:27 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

What is your style? Can we see the rest of the room, or at least your plans for some of it? I think I would tend toward waiting and then just getting what you want later. I know it's tempting to try to do everything at once, but just adding a facade to an existing fireplace sounds like something you could easily do later once you're all moved in and have figured out what's actually happening with the rest of the room.

Well, the rest of the room is covered in boxes (still). And the windows are covered with tarps. But, here’s one from the listing.  

Attachments:

[rubytue]

Well, I got my first estimate. $1300 to resurface it smooth from a stucco guy. It’s 12 feet tall. I’m actually thinking that seems pretty reasonable. We were going to DIY.

[orval]

rubytue,  I saw this house listing and it reminded me of your space.  The fireplace looks smooth with a bit of slate? surround. 

I can't get just the photo to post so you will have to scroll.


www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/100-High-Rock-Ridge-Dr_Landrum_SC_29356_M65493-91575

[rubytue]

orval, OMG I love that house! And the fireplace is cool, too. Thanks

[sicilygirl]

I think something along these lines would look awesome in that room:

pin.it/7u3wpqk
pin.it/4eWTZXh
pin.it/3mrdIzN
pin.it/1fPdlzb

[rubytue]

Just following up some of my old posts. 

We did end up DIYing the demo, after a couple plaster guys ghosted me. So far, we just have the granite surround on the gas insert. The top will be a herringbone black/gray tile. It’s not done yet because of mantle discussions. We tried to get some custom metalwork done by an old coworker of H, but… ghost. So, current looking at live-edge walnut. H is insisting we have to have a mantle. 

Attachments:

[Roc A Bee]

I love the idea of a live edge mantle!

[rubytue]

I’m amazed I found this old post. The joys of DIY. This finished today. 

Attachments:

[momin2013]

Looks beautiful - that makes a huge difference to that space!

[definitelyO]

Really nice work!!

thanks for sharing the after results!

[rubytue]

May 22, 2023 13:50:46 GMT -5 momin2013 said:

Looks beautiful - that makes a huge difference to that space!

Thank you! I keep referring to it as a statement fireplace. And I think we achieved that. 

H just took up the floor protection today. It’s been down since October 2022. And it’s catching my eye every time I walk by. 

[deadwing]

I can't believe that's the same fireplace - what an update!

[dr.girlfriend]

Yay! I love updates and this is an awesome one!

[simpsongal]

Looks really cool! What a transformation!!

[doctoranda]

Looks really cool! What did you end up spending if
I may ask?

[rubytue]

May 25, 2023 13:01:14 GMT -5 doctoranda said:

Looks really cool! What did you end up spending if
I may ask?

I actually try not to total stuff up 😂 Plus, we bought everything 18 months ago, so it’s foggy.

PDQ
we did two gas inserts (one here, one in another room) ~$9k plus $1800 for the gas line
I think the granite was $4-6k. 
Tile, I have no recollection.

But, the biggest expense is the opportunity cost from my H’s unemployment. The estimate to lay the tile (here and the kitchen) was $8k. I think this portion was $3500. 

All told, if we had hired out everything that we’ve done out, we’d probably be in $200k range. That is completely rebuilding this room (walls were rotting), updating the kitchen, redoing the laundry room, remodeling the basement.