The updated living room really makes the fireplace pop! Post coming soon with the new living room details. But for now, travel back in time and see what the living room used to look like pre-fireplace and post fireplace.
When we built our house 2.5 years ago I didn’t have a vision for the fireplace area. There was only one thing I knew…and that was that I absolutely HAD to have THIS TILE…
…for the fireplace (I had been eyeing it for awhile).
It was one of the “upgrades” that caused us to exceed our flooring/tile budget.
Ahem.
The tile guy told me it was the “BMW” of tile. As in…it didn’t come cheap.
But I didn’t care. It had to be mine.
{You’ve been there before right? Where you absolutely were not leaving without what you wanted regardless of the outrageous price tag.}
We’ve all made dumb choices, right?!?!
Once it was put up around the fireplace…it didn’t do much for me.
Blah Blah Blah…
I know, right?
Here I went all convincing my husband that I MUST have this overpriced tile….and then I didn’t even LOVE it?
What the what?!?!
So recently my dad (whom I’m guessing didn’t want to marry the tile either) had a grand idea to give the fireplace a little fancy makeover.
If that dad of mine comes up with one more good idea I just may have to put him on the payroll.
Here’s a quick before and after comparison…
What a difference a little trim and some new paint makes, hey?!?!
It makes that overpriced tile seem almost worth it.
We pieced all the white trim together from Lowe’s. It was our own little creation…one that took us far too long to decide on. 🙂
After laying out nearly a jillion pieces of trim in the back of the Lowe’s store we finally decided on this combo.
My dad did an amazing job on this project!
I painted the wall behind the tv a dark charcoal gray color {Valspar Mark Twain Gray Brick 4005-2C} to match our dining room…and I love the white/dark contrast.
You can see the wall on the left that has the same dark gray color as behind the tv….
“Love Will Save The Day”
Ain’t that the truth.
Or maybe it should say “Dads Will Save The Day” because, let’s be honest, my dad sure knows how to turn any “blah” room in to something fancy with his handyman skills.
That cute little sign came from Wal-mart…for $3! Yes, cheaper than I can buy a latte!
My dad also made these built in corner shelves for us.
The “Do What You (heart)” sign came from Target – $14.99.
I love this picture that captured Klay Klay just chilling. Ha!
I had this vase, but the purple had no place in my living room. It was the ONLY pop of purple and it just didn’t go.
I ended up spray painting the floral pieces white {see top shelf on right} and it turned out great (and matches way better)!
The vases that I put on the top shelf came from my grandma B’s house after she passed away. They are probably my favorite piece because they have so much meaning behind them!
I never realized how unfinished the fireplace looked until now. Wowsers. It looks 800 times better!
Thanks to my dad {again} for helping make my fireplace fancy!
Source List:
Paint color on fireplace wall – Valspar Hot Stone {Lowes}
Paint color behind the tv – Valspar Mark Twain Gray Brick 4005-2C {Lowes}
Looks fabulous! I am loving the corner shelves. I have a perfect spot for some of those. Do you have a detailed post on them? Otherwise I’ll guess and have my husband help me create something similar. Thanks!
Thanks! Here is a video tutorial that my dad did: http://houseofroseblog.com/how-to-build-a-corner-shelf/
Thanks for the link! Your dad did a great job on the video.
I am loving your couch, I have been searching for a big comfy sectional! Where did you get it and do you happen to remember the name of it? Thanks so much 🙂
Hi Mandy~ I love what you have done with your home! The fireplace definitely caught my eye as well as my husbands. Can you tell me a little about the fireplace…gas/electric, wall mounted or insert, and dimensions if possible. We plan to do electric as more of a decorative touch. If this information was previously posted I apologize, I tried to look through all posts to see if this info. was posted. Thanks again!!
Hi Brandy! It’s actually a gas fireplace and I think we have only turned it on twice in 3 yrs. Haha! We just love the way it looks…but maybe one day when our kids are old enough to understand “too hot” we will use it. 🙂
Mandy,
I know your dad makes your corner shelves but where ever did you get the two shelves on the right side of the fire place? I luv,luv.luv them.
I want to know too!! Love them!
I think it’s cool but I would remove knick
Knacks from the top. It’s just not a mantle.
And shouldn’t suffer from an identity crisis:)
It’s more of a unique architectural structure.
What is the color of your walls?
I have been looking for a rug similar to the one in this family room. Where can I find it?
HomeDecorators.com It’s Martha Stewart Demask!
Where did you find that awesome rug?? Your blog totally charges and inspires me! Thanks!!!! (From another mommy of three, under 5, who are generally naked too. Your pic in front of your house is all too familiar) :))
Thanks girl!
Where is that awesome rug from?
HomeDecorators.com It’s Martha Stewart Demask!
is the rug the “molasses” color?? also is that a 9×12? thanks! 🙂
It’s brown and off white and yes it’s 9×12! 🙂
is that a 9×12 rug?? love your house! 🙂
Yep!
Are those recessed cut-ins in the wall below your TV housing the DVD player and speakers?
Yes! 🙂
I have a question on the fire place (LOVE IT btw! Great job dad!)
What type of fireplace is it (electric, gas?) and is there any concern of over heating the television, etc over it?
Thanks for the time.
It’s electric and so far, we have had no problems with the heat. We don’t use if for long periods of times though. But when they installed it they said it shouldn’t effect the tv.
Hi there,
Where did you get your couch?
I love it!!!!! What a huge difference that made. It looks great!!!
{Visiting from Kelly’s Korner}
Hi love the mantle over the fireplace do you have instructions and details to to build one for my lovely home? Thanks so much~Amanda
Hey I was wondering how long ago was it that you got the sign Do what you (heart) sign from Target, I went on there and couldn’t find it Idk if I was typing in right key words. Could you send me a link to it if you can remember and also wheree did you get that sidetable beside couch? Does it have a particular name?
Where did you get your lamps? Love them!
I LOVE the after! Amazing. It looks very similar to mine. I have columns. I also love your decor style. I wish you could come to my house! Great job.
Love it! What size is the canvas of your family above the table on the far wall? I love that!
Thanks! It’s 40×60.
Where did you get your H shaped shelves at? I love how one side is longer than the other!
I know that this post is old but I have a question about your fireplace makeover. I am attempting to something similar and am wondering how you finished the top trim pieces. I hope this makes sense! I see that you selected four different trim pieces for the top. Did you simply nail those pieces on the wall? I can’t quite tell from the picture but it looks like there may be some finishing pieces on the ends? I hope you can understand what I am talking about because I am starting to confuse myself! Thanks in advance for any help you have!!!!
Did you ever get an answer about the wall trim on the fireplace? I would love to know also!
What an awesome makeover! I would love some more details on how you did the top part. I don’t understand how you got it to look like that using the trim pieces that you show! Thanks so much!
Where did you get those two floating shelves? I am in love with them =)
Hi! I LOVE your fireplace idea!! We are looking to update our fireplace and I am having a hard time finding a similar type of tile. Do you happen to know where you got your tile and/or the brand/name of it?? Thanks in advance! 🙂
Am I missing the tutorial for the fireplace or do you not have one?
Thanks, it looks great!
This looks great. What a change. I’m curious about the fireplace. In one reply you said gas & another you said electric. I’m shopping for one;) thanks
Electric!
Hey! Absolutely love your blog! I just moved into our first home (in Feb) and have found your blog very inspirational. Do you happen to remember where you purchased the shelves on the wall? Were they built by your dad? Or were they bought somewhere? Thank you in advance!
I’ve been going through your home tour posts…and I’ve got to admit, so far this fireplace is my absolute favorite. I can definitely understand why you like the tiles, and the mantle makes it pop. It became the focal point of the room. #Love Well, I’m off to
stalk you some moreread some more of your blog posts and look at more pictures of your lovely home.Hi, what is the paint color on the walls?