Antique Brick and White Molding Fireplace Makeover

Looking for fireplace makeover ideas? See how this awkward glass fireplace was transformed into an elegant classic with antique brick, white molding, and a gas insert.

white mantel with white pumpkins and eucalyptus- Maison de Pax

We actually completed this fireplace makeover a little over a year ago, but I regularly get questions regarding it, so I thought it might help if I put all the answers in one place. Plus, sometimes when something is right in front of you it can be hard to see the growth and changes. It takes a stepping back, if you will, to see just how far you’ve come… And I feel that is true about our living room.

Fireplace makeover: before and after

To fully appreciate the changes we’ve made in the last 2.5 years since we bought this house, you have to see where it all began. (Please excuse the Christmas decorations; this is just the closet image I had to the same angle.)

fireplace before in nineties home- Maison de Pax

gorgeous while molding fireplace makeover- Maison de Pax

The only two things we did in the house before we moved in were to replace the floors and paint then entire downstairs in SW Agreeable Gray. The fireplace was a rather awkward little glass box that only semi-separated the two living spaces (and the gas insert didn’t work), but we wanted to take our time deciding on how to change it. We started with this DIY mantel and a little cosmetic fireplace makeover to help the space feel more like our style.

simple DIY mantel transforms this fireplace- Maison de Pax

While it might sound nice to have the two rooms open to one another, the step down unfortunately made it difficult to use the spaces simultaneously, which led to them just feeling like they conflicted with one another. Plus, with so many windows (which I love! not complaining!!), furniture placement was really difficult. So after a year or so, we decided it was time to actually make some more significant changes.

Ideas for a dramatic fireplace makeover:

Place built-in bookcases beside the fireplace

We wanted the downstairs to still feel open while effectively separating the two spaces and providing some much-needed storage and wall space. So we enclosed one side of the fireplace with a double sided bookcase (see both sides below) and built a new (slightly wider) chase with a new fireplace with a gas insert.

Casually Elegant Living Room- Maison de Pax

Decorating for Winter- Maison de Pax

Use antique brick to cover a new metal fireplace

We installed this two-sided fireplace and then dressed it up with a brick overlay. We used this brick (it’s not actually antique, but it definitely has that look) and had our tile guy cut the full-sized bricks into veneer-like tiles. The full sized bricks were used for the raised hearth on the lower level while the tiles were used to cover the metal face of the fireplace and the flat hearth. I asked that they all be installed with a rather messy white mortar to accentuate that aged feel.

Holiday Fireplace Vignette- Maison de Pax

Recess cabinetry beside a fireplace

The bookcase was custom built, but we opted for a very simple front (to match the shaker cabinets we put in our kitchen at the same time).

Bookshelf Styling Tips- Maison de Pax

Cover the fireplace chase with white block paneling

The molding around the fireplace is my favorite, though. We used block paneling (which is similar to board and batten except the for the addition of an extra, more intricate trim piece to cover the seams) and had it all painted white to match the existing trim.

simple, neutral fall mantel decor ideas- Maison de Pax

Create a custom mantel (for a small space!)

The actual mantel was a loooooonnnnng process of finding designs I liked and then making them into the dimensions we needed and trying to decide if I still liked them at that point. 😉  The tricky thing is that I really wanted legs so that it looked like a traditional white mantel, but the distance between the brick and the bookcase was not very far. I love what we ended up with, though, which was simply a creative mix of moldings and some small-ish box legs.

simple, neutral fall mantel decor ideas: fall leaves in a glazed pitcher- Maison de Pax

Consider asymmetrical fireplace design

I was actually worried that the lack of symmetry might drive me crazy, but we love it. The bookcases are pretty (and functional… we needed somewhere for books and that tv!), and the open side not only keeps the space from feeling closed off but also allows us to take in those gorgeous hill country views from both rooms.

Simple Winter and Christmas Fireplace Mantle- Maison de Pax

Sources for this fireplace makeover:

This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure.

And because someone always asks 😉 here are the sources (or similar) for accessories and furniture that appeared in the above images:

I must say, I love the transformation. There’s nothing quite like having a vision and seeing it carried out, amIright? Tell me, would you have done the same thing?

Don’t forget to pin it!

Fireplace Mantle Ideas- Maison de Pax

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35 Comments

  1. I really like the look of book pages side facing out, but it’s very impractical when looking for a particular book. I think the idea of covering them in either plain paper, or coloured paper, and labeling them in a very neutral colour that blends in would be a bit more sensible. That’s my only thing, but LOVE the rest of the makeover!!

    1. I think that could work too! For me, these are heirlooms that are in different languages so I wasn’t concerned about finding the book by the binding. I do have stacks of books in other places. 😉

  2. One question-regarding your Christmas stocking display. How did you make, or where did you purchase, the copper pipe holder that is hung between the snowflakes? I zoomed in, but couldn’t make out the detail. Very clever! Thank you.

    1. Thank you! I just threaded a wire through a piece of copper pipe and wrapped the wire several times around each of two stocking holder hooks. You can see more about it here. Hope this helps!

  3. I did remember what you had done but it was nice seeing the before and after,it looks so amazing now, or at least more to my liking. I know you are enjoying this home and all the space.

  4. WOW! This is a spectacular case of reimagining a space/feature that shouts it’s age (and perhaps a slight lack of initial imagination). And the functionality gained. Just amazing.
    Well done!

  5. What a beautiful design job! It looks like you improved the appearance as well as the function of those two rooms. And who couldn’t use more shelf space? I love it!

  6. Beautiful look. Loving the bookshelf on one side which one doesn’t see often. I also love the way you’ve placed the books, so calming and graceful.

    Congratulations on your design!

  7. Wow! That really is a stunning fireplace, built-ins and moldings! I can see how much thought and planning went into all the changes and that it was so necessary for the overall look and more importantly, feel of the space. These are the details that separate designer’s from decorator’s.
    I saw the natural large beads on your mantle, I have looked everywhere for them with no results, can you tell me where to find them?
    Love your blog, the progress on your home has been amazing!

    Blessings,
    Cathy

    1. Oh Cathy, you are so sweet! Thank you so much. 🙂 . The wood beads are actually just from a package I found on the raw wood craft aisle at Hobby Lobby. I think I bought the 1″ beads and strung them onto some twine I had. I hope this helps!

  8. Rachel, I LOVE what you did with this fireplace!! The paneling over the fireplace is so beautiful and I love that it’s all double sides and you get to enjoy this from both rooms!

  9. Oh so beautiful! I’ve picked up the same rug from Target, made the live edge tables, and am ordering a few vintage rugs. I guess I like your style so much, I copied you!!
    The awesome wood jug that looks like unfinished burl-the link isn’t working anymore. I’m lusting after it! LOL
    Do you have a different link? Or can you tell me what to google to find something like the jug. I’m on the hunt for something like that.
    Thanks so much for your inspirations!

    1. Thank you! I thought we used white mortar (though I wasn’t here the day it was installed). I was actually very distressed once it was done to see that it looked very pink (maybe from the red brick dust since we had to cut the bricks?)… So the brick guys came back and painted a little lime wash over it to lighten it up. In other words, it was a little trial and error. 😉 I wish I had an exact answer for you!

  10. Seeing this a few years later but hoping you might still recall some info about your gorgeous brick fireplace. I’d love to use the same brick selection – do you happen to remember if your brick size was the Queen or Modular? And I know you called your mantel legs “skinny” but can you tell me how wide & deep they are? I’ve done my best to guess but figured maybe you’d be willing to share a few more specifics. I’ve scoured the internet to find a brick surround w/wood mantel design that I love and yours is the one! Thank you, thank you for sharing your project! And congratulations on creating your beautiful home!

    1. You are so kind. I’m so glad you like it! We used modular sized bricks to build the hearth, but we laid them so that what you see on the fireplace face is 2 1/4″ x 7 5/8″ (which is the same whether bricks are modular or queen…) does that make sense? The legs are 3.5W x 3.5D x 38.5H. I hope this helps!!

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