Over a year later, the office fireplace renovation is complete! If you’re new here, you can catch up on the first phase which was our first “project” in our home in February of 2022 via this post.
Before
After we replaced the tile with brick, we had our floors refinished throughout the entire home and you can read about that process below:
Wood Flooring Project Plan Reveal
White Oak Floors Finish Reveal
Then, we painted our entire first floor to create a cohesive look amongst ALL the different wood tones.
The Process
Following March of 2022, we moved on to bigger priorities throughout our home that we have shared all throughout this past year! We circled back to my office with the start of this and some built-ins – keep up over on IG and back here later this Fall. I LOVED the brick, but my office is small and wanted to keep the entire space airy and free flowing. This also solves for the issue we faced of not finding new brick that matched our old colonial brick.
Fireplaces have long been the heart of the home, offering warmth, comfort, and a cozy atmosphere. However, over the years, gas inserts have become a popular choice for their convenience. We are always looking to incorporate the authentic charm of the original home, and a real wood-burning fireplace does just that. However, there is no reason to have a burning fire in here, and, we have another fireplace in our living room!
This particular gas insert fireplace looked tired, uninspiring, and failed to create the cozy, sophisticated atmosphere.
Removing the Gas Insert
The first step in the transformation was to remove the gas insert. This task requires a professional plumber to ensure safety and to properly cap the gas line. Once the insert was removed, we were left with a beautiful opening, exposing the original brick facade of the fireplace.
Painting the Brick
The next challenge was the brick itself. As mentioned, it was impossible to find a brick that matched the fireplace when replacing the tile on the floor. The best solution was to paint it – I am not into the wash treatment look. I was so so torn about it, but had no choice. My solution was to keep the insert area as original brick and it is so stunning! Here is how easy of a process it is:
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Cleaning and Prepping: Before painting, the brick was thoroughly cleaned to remove any dust, soot, or residue. Any loose mortar was also addressed, and repairs were made where necessary.
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Priming: A high-quality masonry primer was applied to the brick surface to ensure proper adhesion of the paint and provide a consistent base for the final coat.
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Choosing the Paint Color: I went behind the scenes on Instagram stories here and saved a highlight. My paint selection process is pretty legit at this point (read about it here) and I was going for a soft, neutral color that would complement the office decor and create a timeless look. In this case, a neutral muted beige with a slight green shade was chosen to brighten the space and make the fireplace a focal point. The paint color is called Costal Fog by Benjamin Moore.
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Painting: The final step was to apply two coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely in between. The transformation was already noticeable as the fresh paint brought new life!
Styling
With the gas insert out of the way, it was time to bring in the authentic charm of a wood-burning fireplace. Andirons were sourced from a local antique shop to hold the logs in place and elevate them off the floor, creating an authentic look. Real logs, carefully selected for their size and appearance, were stacked atop the andirons, ready to bring the look of enchanting crackle and pop of a true wood fire.
Following that, I worked with Minted to choose a canvas art piece that pulls together all of my favorite tones. It represents that layers of creativity to me, and inspires me as I work in this space each day! You can shop it here. This will evolve over time, but for now, layered in a few vases and natural stems that you can shop at the end of the post.
The After
The once-dated and uninspiring gas insert fireplace had been reborn as the stunning focal point of the room. The neutral paint not only made the space feel brighter and more inviting but also allowed the fireplace to complement various interior design styles, from traditional to modern.
Any questions? Comment below. Keep up with the rest of our projects via this list and with behind the scenes updates on Instagram. Thanks for being here!
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