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Seven Super Updates for your Fireplace
By Elana Watson
A fireplace brings style, function and charm to a room. But when it starts looking outdated, faded, and dingy, or when it just doesn’t go with the style of your furnishings, there are ways to update it and make it a pleasing focal point once again. 1. Paint It! – An old brick fireplace or one that has less than contemporary appeal can stick out like a sore thumb if it doesn’t blend with its surroundings. Clean the soot and grime from your fireplace and paint it to brighten it up and make it go with the flow of your space. Special formulated paints are available for painting over masonry and if you are painting the wood areas, a coat of stain-killing primer can block old soot or burn stains. 2. Replace the Mantle – An old sagging or outdated mantle is easy to replace and is really very much like installing a shelf. A rugged wood mantle gives a room a rustic look or you can paint your replaced mantle with a sleek painted finish that coordinates with a contemporary space. Add detailed moldings, corbels, scrolling and trim to give your mantle a traditional or country feel. 3. Add a Tile Face - Tile can be applied right over the existing brick or façade surrounding your firebox to completely transform the look of your fireplace. Choose from traditional textured or painted tiles, modern glass or metal tiles, mosaics or any tile that better suits your decor. 4. Go rustic with Slate or Stone – Similarly, stone and slate products, as well as faux stone and slate, can be applied directly on top of your existing finish to create a rustic or modern look. There are so many stone and slate options to choose from in such a wide array of colors, textures and finishes that you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect accompaniment for your fireplace. 5. Try a Fireplace Surround – If your fireplace has a very plain surround or if you’re simply not thrilled about the way it looks, you can purchase a new fireplace surround at a home improvement or fireplace shop. Choose from elaborate Victorian styles to streamlined modern styles and everything in between. 6. Add a Gas Log, Gas Insert or Electric Insert – If you’re tired of dealing with the mess of real fireplace, gas log, gas inserts and electric inserts can make your life much easier and cut down on the dust and dirt that builds up in your home as a byproduct of burning wood. They are also more energy efficient than traditional log burning fireplaces. Shop around for the best prices and the most realistic flame appearance; an electric insert is the easiest to install requiring only a regular three-pronged electric outlet. A gas log or gas insert must have a gas line installed to the fireplace box. 7. Update your Decor – There are many ways to make your fireplace more beautiful without the expense of the options listed above. Beautiful candles on the mantle and inside and empty firebox add the glow of a fire without the hassle. A new fireplace screen, some wall art above the mantel, wall sconces, hurricanes, framed photos on the mantle, and floral arrangements are just a few options to consider.
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Large Sculptures
Large Size Sculptures for Your Home
www.americanartisanart.com/large-art.html
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Thank you for sharing these valuable tips on updating a fireplace, Elana. If your going to install a gas fire log into a old fireplace, you may want to drop a metal liner down the chimney, to prevent carbon monoxide from escaping through the old chimney.
Best wishes.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Hi Frederick, Thank you for reading my intel and I really appreciate your thoughtful comment.
I think it depends upon the fireplace -- and the room that it's in. In some rooms, an old, ratty-looking fireplace can be charming and add to the flavor of the surroundings. Of course, the darn thing has to be safe to operate...
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Hi James, Thanks for reading. Perhaps you are right. The thing is that an old and ratty-looking fireplace is simply not my idea of comfort and coziness. But we both agree that safety comes first.
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