Styling Tips for Modern Cast Stone Fireplace Mantels
Are you looking to update your fireplace mantel? Old World Stoneworks can help. We offer options perfect for that old stone fireplace makeover you’ve been thinking about.
Our experts will guide you through the process of how to modernize a stone fireplace by offering makeover ideas, updating techniques, and decorating tips to suit every style.
The Benefits of Modernizing a Stone Fireplace
Your cast stone fireplace is a focal point in your home and over time, may have become outdated. Don’t just tolerate its tired look – plan a stone fireplace makeover!
A new and improved fireplace mantel can dramatically improve the aesthetics of your home. It can brighten a dark space and encourage you to use the room – and the fireplace – more often when you entertain.
Updating the fireplace isn’t just about looks, either. It can add value to your property. Adding or enhancing a fireplace is one of the more impactful small changes you can make to increase your home’s resale value.
How to Update a Stone Fireplace That’s Dated
When looking at how to update stone fireplaces using modern techniques and materials, there are a variety of options you can turn to, from affordable DIY solutions to more involved projects.
Perhaps the simplest is to give the fireplace a new coat of paint or add texture with a mortar wash. Often, a dark matte hue can help hide some less-than-stellar materials, while other times, whitewashing can lighten up a clunky-looking fireplace.
For a modern farmhouse look, consider adding a shiplap surround. Another option is adding a tile or concrete surround or updated stone veneers.
If you’ve decided on a DIY project to modernize your stone fireplace, be sure to take the proper steps to do so safely. Clean your existing fireplace and inspect it for cracks and other damage. If you see structural issues that need fixing, it’s vital that you do this before updating the look.
With old stone fireplaces, one of the issues you’ll want to resolve is dampness. In extreme cases, you may need to remove and replace the stones. Cast stone can be an alternative since it can usually withstand changes in temperature better than natural stone.
As you begin aesthetic adjustments, you may be concerned about maintaining the fireplace’s character while modernizing it. One way to do this is to change the mantel while leaving the rest intact.
If you want to perform an upgrade that will have the greatest impact, we recommend adding a cast stone fireplace mantel. Cast stone is versatile, which means you have many options when it comes to design styles. In most cases, a cast stone fireplace makeover allows you to enhance the fireplace surround and mantel while still maintaining the integrity of the original fireplace.
Creative Makeover Ideas for Your Stone Fireplace
One option when giving your fireplace a makeover is to go for a more modern look. Stone fireplaces continue to be the rage, and cast stone is a great way of getting this classy aesthetic at a much more affordable rate than quarried stone.
In our before and after photos, you can see the cast stone fireplaces from Old World Stoneworks are a superb option for updating an old brick fireplace. It allows you to maintain the fireplace’s original structure while giving the room an elegant upgrade.
In this example, an old red brick fireplace at a retirement community was given a stylish remake with our Brunswick mantel and a new hearth.
In this Alabama home, we upgraded an outdated fireplace that had been placed over an even older brick fireplace. The masonry installers removed the faux stone veneers and white mantel shelf and installed a customized version of our Whitmore fireplace.
You can also see this example of a natural stone fireplace gaining a sleeker and more modern shape with our Amhurst cast stone fireplace and overmantel.
Decor Inspiration for Your Updated Stone Fireplace Mantel
When considering how to decorate a stone fireplace mantel, one option that can make the room feel larger is to place a modern mirror over the mantel. Consider one with an eye-catching shape to really pull the focus to that part of the room.
Create contrast with a modern mantel by adding a set of candlesticks or a porcelain figurine. Or add pops of color with flowers to create visual interest. This is especially striking if the room’s color scheme is monochromatic.
You’ll also want to consider updating your mantel decor with the seasons. Bringing in more floral colors or details during spring and summer and more angular, cooler designs in the winter can keep the space looking fresh throughout the year.
How to Modernize a Stone Fireplace: Choose Old World Stoneworks
Updating your old stone fireplace is a huge project when you try to do it yourself. Why not let the experts handle it, and create the fireplace of your dreams, by choosing a durable, elegant cast stone fireplace surround from Old World Stoneworks. Explore our cast stone mantels to get more ideas and contact us to get started on your stone fireplace makeover.
