Custom Solutions for Undersized Fireplaces

Pennington, NJ, Before: The fireplace in this large family room was dwarfed by the dimensions of the room and the surrounding windows. The mantel shelf was too shallow, preventing th eowner from placing decorative accents upon it.

After: A new shelf adds depth to the piece and a new finish adds richness and elegance. The framed surround above the fireplace makes it a grand focal point which can easily hold its own in the vast space.

Bucks County, PA, Before: A two-story family room had a standard mantel which was too shallow, narrow, and short for the wall upon which it sat.

After: The space is transformed with a new, custom fireplace mantel, complete with limestone surround. The finish is a chocolate black, glazed rub-off.

Custom Built Fireplaces: Fabulous!

Dutchess County, NY: A lodge-styled home called for a special, unique fireplace. This mantel was custom carved and then stained in a variety of tones, designed to bring out its details.

Before: A Doylestown, PA family room fireplace is way too small for the space it occupies.

After: The new, custom built mantel with shadowbox is perfect for this space. A pearlescent glow in the fireplace finish adds depth, while the metallic background in the shadowbox lends an edge to decor which is more clean-lined in nature.

Morristown, NJ: This mantel was built around a pre-existing surround. A faux ebony finsh with plenty of gold accents were just what these homeowners wanted.

Fireplace Makeovers for Hearth & Home

Short Hills, NJ, Before: This brick fireplace needed an update and some character.

After: The brick was covered in sheetrock which received a glazed, lime plaster finish. The mantel, from a Shanghai palace ca. 1890 or so, received a fresh finish with bronze highlights on its details and lighting in its carved openings. The Imperial Brown granite hearth finished the project.

Readington, NJ: A kitchen fireplace and its mantel were off-center and awkwardly placed.

After: The top of the wall was built out to align with the bricks below. The bricks were darkened with a rich, pearlescent bronze glaze. The entire wall received a glazed, plaster finish and a new mantel shelf in a finish which matches the kitchen cabinets.

New Finishes for Plain Fireplaces

Branchburg, NJ, Before: A custom built fireplace, complete with a shadowbox for a flat screen television, looked stark in its new space. Also, the new bricks were way too pink for the homeowner's taste.

After: The fireplace and shadowbox are given a dark cappucino, rub-through finish with a mahogany glaze. The bricks are washed in a bronze pearlescent. This wall now offers the room a strong focal point.

Before: A standard builders' grade fireplace did nothing to enhance this Bridgewater, NJ family room.

After: After a faux cherry finish with gold details, this fireplace adds traditional character to the room.