Transforming a Fireplaces from Disaster to Rustic Lodge: A Weekend Makeover

In just one weekend, it is possible to transform an old fireplace from a disaster to a stunning rustic lodge using inexpensive materials sourced from a local hardware store. The plan involves adding a beautiful stone veneer right on top of the old brick surround and then installing a new rustic wood mantel over the top of the old one.

The natural stone veneer product used in this project can be applied directly onto a brick wall or drywall interior, as long as it is no higher than 10 feet. This versatile product comes in six inch by fourteen inch tile pieces, making it easy to work with in a DIY project like this. The key to success lies in the prep work, so take your time to get started and ensure that you have everything necessary before proceeding.

The first step is to clean the brick with a rag and water, then let it dry completely before vacuuming well to remove any dust and dirt hidden in the pores of the brick. Next, pull out any nails or screws from the old mantle, and carefully remove it if it doesn't come off easily. Measure the fireplace and create a template out of cardboard or craft paper to ensure that you have an accurate layout for your stone veneer. Lay out the stone exactly like it will go on the fireplace, taking care to ensure some nice contrast between dark and light-colored stones and that the seams are spaced out randomly.

This allows you to make changes to your design and layout before attaching the pieces permanently to the wall. Carefully mark the pieces on the edges that need trimming and cut them with a wet saw as you go along, keeping an eye on your work to ensure everything is accurate and in place. Now it's time to build the new mantel using rustic wood from a salvage yard. First, cut the pieces to size and nail them together to create a hollow box, the width of the fireplace.

Next, cut vertical side pieces out of four by fours and attach them to the wall using wood screws, making sure they sit right on top of the new stone veneer. The rustic mantel will only need a few screws to hold it in place, providing a sturdy foundation for the rest of your makeover. Now that you have your stone veneer installed and your new mantle built, it's time to start building.

For this project, a natural stone veneer product is designed to work with simple thin set mortar mix, which has the consistency of peanut butter. Apply about half an inch of mortar to the back of each stone, starting at the base of the fireplace. Pressing firmly onto the back of the previous piece allows you to stick the new stone on. Be careful not to get any mortar on the stone itself, as it will stain and be hard to remove.

Stick the stones together one at a time, making sure they are butting right up against each other for an even finish. For pieces directly above the hearth hole, consider creating a temporary shelf out of scrap wood to ensure that they fit perfectly in place as the mortar begins to dry. Use a small brush to knock off any excess mortar that may have gotten on the stone and then dampen the entire surface with water before wiping it gently with a sponge for a clean, finished look.

The completed stone fireplace will give your room a fresh new look that fits right into its classic style, adding dimension and height in just a weekend. This project showcases high end character and tons of charm, making it an ideal DIY makeover for anyone looking to add some warmth and character to their home.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enin just one weekend this fireplace went from day to disaster to rustic lodge using inexpensive materials Freight from the local hardware store here's how you can do the Sam in order to get the look of a high-end stone fireplace in a single weekend the plan is to add a beautiful stone veneer right on top of the old brick surround then add a new rustic wood mantel over the top of the boring old one this natural stone veneer product can be applied directly onto a brick wall or drywall interior no higher than 10 feet it comes in six inch by fourteen inch tile pieces in a project like this the prep work is key so take your time to get started clean the brick with a rag and water and then let it dry vacuum it well to remove any dust and dirt hidden in the pores of the pull out any nails or screws and carefully remove the old mantle if it doesn't come off easily just build on top of it measure the fireplace and make a template out of cardboard or craft paper then lay out the stone exactly like it'll go on the fireplace make sure there's some nice contrast of dark and light colored stone and that the seams are spaced out randomly this allows you to make changes to your design and your layout before you attach the pieces permanently to the wall next carefully mark the pieces on the edges that need trimming and cut them with a wet saw keep laying them out on the template as you go to check your work now it's time to build the new mantel using rustic wood from a salvage yard first cut the pieces to size and nail them together to create a hollow box the width of the fireplace then cut to vertical side pieces out of four by fours and attach them to the wall using wood screws the rustic mantel sits right on top and just needs a few screws to hold it into place now for the fun part this veneer product is designed to work with simple thin set mortar mix to the consistency of peanut butter add about half an inch of mortar to the back of the stone starting at the base of the fireplace stick the stone on pressing firmly until some of the cement eases out be careful not to get any of the mortar on the stone it'll stain and it's hard to get off sticking carefully to your planned layout just place all the stones on one at a time butting right up against the previous pieces for the pieces directly above the hearth hole it's a good idea to make a temporary shelf out of scrap wood to make sure they're even as the mortar begins to dry use a small brush to knock off any excess that may have gotten on the stone then dampen the entire surface with water and wipe it gently with a sponge for a clean finished look the completed stone fireplace gives the room a fresh new look that fits right into its classic style it adds dimension and height in just a weekend this room has high end character and tons of charm youin just one weekend this fireplace went from day to disaster to rustic lodge using inexpensive materials Freight from the local hardware store here's how you can do the Sam in order to get the look of a high-end stone fireplace in a single weekend the plan is to add a beautiful stone veneer right on top of the old brick surround then add a new rustic wood mantel over the top of the boring old one this natural stone veneer product can be applied directly onto a brick wall or drywall interior no higher than 10 feet it comes in six inch by fourteen inch tile pieces in a project like this the prep work is key so take your time to get started clean the brick with a rag and water and then let it dry vacuum it well to remove any dust and dirt hidden in the pores of the pull out any nails or screws and carefully remove the old mantle if it doesn't come off easily just build on top of it measure the fireplace and make a template out of cardboard or craft paper then lay out the stone exactly like it'll go on the fireplace make sure there's some nice contrast of dark and light colored stone and that the seams are spaced out randomly this allows you to make changes to your design and your layout before you attach the pieces permanently to the wall next carefully mark the pieces on the edges that need trimming and cut them with a wet saw keep laying them out on the template as you go to check your work now it's time to build the new mantel using rustic wood from a salvage yard first cut the pieces to size and nail them together to create a hollow box the width of the fireplace then cut to vertical side pieces out of four by fours and attach them to the wall using wood screws the rustic mantel sits right on top and just needs a few screws to hold it into place now for the fun part this veneer product is designed to work with simple thin set mortar mix to the consistency of peanut butter add about half an inch of mortar to the back of the stone starting at the base of the fireplace stick the stone on pressing firmly until some of the cement eases out be careful not to get any of the mortar on the stone it'll stain and it's hard to get off sticking carefully to your planned layout just place all the stones on one at a time butting right up against the previous pieces for the pieces directly above the hearth hole it's a good idea to make a temporary shelf out of scrap wood to make sure they're even as the mortar begins to dry use a small brush to knock off any excess that may have gotten on the stone then dampen the entire surface with water and wipe it gently with a sponge for a clean finished look the completed stone fireplace gives the room a fresh new look that fits right into its classic style it adds dimension and height in just a weekend this room has high end character and tons of charm you\n"