Gracious Spaces: Fireplace Makeover

by Jennifer Ingram

For those of you who may have low ceilings, dark paint colors, lack of architectural interest, or may just be looking for a more cohesive space this DIY project may be just for you.  My wood wall above the fireplace was basic and ho-hum, to say the least. I wasn’t looking to re-paint my living room or spend thousands on a built-in feature. Instead, I wanted to find a way to bring  the fireplace and wall together like a “unit.” So, it occurred to me that maybe I could use paint to achieve the illusion of taller ceilings and a more cohesive look. I decided to re-paint the surround and brick floor in front of the fireplace along with the area above the mantel all the way up to the crown moulding. I chose Benjamin Moore’s White Dove paint in eggshell. I taped off the lines and painted but discovered that I had followed the line of the mantel instead of the surround. I  re-taped and re-painted the area to give a more seamless look. What’s the point, you ask? Painting the entire area white draws the eye all the way up the wall making it appear to be a complete unit. There is a method to my madness! The wall looks like an extension of the fireplace without the swath of brown that it was before.  The entire process took about 4 hours after all the taping and painting over all the surfaces. I already had the paint so it was completely FREE! I will admit, it’s not a permanent fix. Eventually, I will add moulding on either side to finish the look. But paint is certainly the most affordable and effective way to transform a space.  For now, however, I love how it  brightens the room, elongates the wall, and  gives my fireplace the facelift it needed.

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Jennifer Ingram is the owner of Gracious Spaces, an interior styling and home staging business  in Brentwood. She specializes in interior styling, “move-in” design, & home staging services. Jennifer opened Gracious Spaces 5 years ago and enjoys creating gathering spaces that are inviting, functional, & beautiful  for her clients. Jennifer grew up in Mt. Juliet, TN and has lived in Williamson County for the past 16 years with her husband and 2 sons.