One of the common requests we get from our clients is to update their fireplace and mantel. Outdated designs, cracked or stained stone, bulky mantels or just a vision of something more in-line with the style of the home are all great reasons to upgrade a fireplace, and we find it can be transformative of a space.
This can be a daunting task for homeowners, with a handful of subcontractors and specialists involved, and many important decisions to be made around materials and design details. The truth is that all fireplaces are different and depending on how they were built, the approach to upgrading them can be different.
What some people may not know about Coda, is that our clients have access to our expertise in general contracting, high-end custom building and interior design. We love to chat through remodeling projects, like fireplace upgrades, and can help from the beginning stages of assessing the approach and design, to the final stages of completion (we’ll even order the firewood once you’re done!).
Below are a few fireplace mantels we’ve completed over the last year, all using different approaches:
(Click on the photo above to see before & progress photos)
Floor to Ceiling Stone
Our client’s talented interior designer Rachel Reider came up with the concept for this clean and modern floor-to-ceiling stone hearth which we were thrilled to execute on.
After removing the existing mantle and stone (see before photos), the most challenging and important step was to select the perfect piece of stone. The stone we were looking for needed to withstand the heat of a wood fire, be large enough to command the space and have a pattern that would conceal a seam when using two pieces. After several trips to the stone yard, we found the perfect stone and worked closely with the stone fabricator and AV company to create a template and installation plan to accommodate, wire and mount a custom framed TV. After our carpenter reinforced the walls to support the massive weight of the stone and our electrician ran all the necessary TV wiring, we were ready for install!
We’re thrilled with the result of this statement fireplace.
Clean and Modern Upgrade
This was another project that we teamed up with Rachel Reider to complete. After removing the yellowing stone and outdated mantel, our carpenter built this clean and modern wooden mantel. This Carrara stone was then selected from the stone-yard and templated to fit the space. The result is a clean, modern and classic design.
Dramatic New Construction
We couldn’t help but share this unique custom 8 1/2 foot linear fireplace from a new construction project of ours. Executing on the architects vision involved the expertise of at least nine subcontractors, collaborating to create this statement feature within the house.