My Easy (and Inexpensive!) DIY Fireplace Makeover + A GIVEAWAY!!!

This DIY fireplace makeover is sponsored in part by StickPretty. All opinions expressed are my own.

My fireplace was an ultimate drag from the moment I stepped into this house. Don’t ask me why someone decided to adhere the very first, blush watercolor art tile of the mid-80s on an uneven concrete hearth to decorate the main focal point of the room. But they did. It wasn’t pretty. And so, WE FIX. ⚒

Well, StickPretty; she fix. That and a little bitta elbow grease to extinguish one of the Brigham Craftsman’s interior decorating crimes of the century. Not just the tile, but the noticeably visible gap of wretched sidetile hanging out over the quarter-round. Like tasteless sideboob. My goooodness.

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Fireplace Makeover Ideas | Fireplace Makeovers on a Budget | Before & After | Jessica Brigham Blog

Let’s talk about StickPretty for a hot minute. Browsing the site, I was enamored at the vast collection of tile decals —it was a tough choice to make!! When I received the product, I was even more blown away. The high-resolution quality (which depicts wear-and-tear, too) looks REAL. In fact, my husband thought I had laid tile. How-ya-like-me-now?!

And the best part? It’s designed to withstand the heat of a good ol’ fashioned fire. I have yet to test this for certain, but there’s another DIY coming to ensure that occurs in the very near future. 😏

Now, how’d we get’r done? Here’s how:

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Fireplace Makeover Ideas | Fireplace Makeovers on a Budget | Before & After | Jessica Brigham Blog

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

For the Tiles
StickPretty Tile Decals (Delft Tile)
X-Acto Knife
Metal Ruler
Cutting Mat
Pen

For the Molding
⅝” x 2” General Molding
Miter Saw
Nail Gun
Air Compressor
Hammer
Wood Putty
Sanding Paper – 220 Grit
Oil-Based Polyurethane
Bristle Brush
Painter’s Tape
Table Saw (optional)

 

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DIY Fireplace Makeover | Fireplace Makeover Ideas | Fireplace Makeovers on a Budget | Before & After | Jessica Brigham Blog

CLEAN, MINOR REPAIR & TRIM REMOVAL

The shoddy tile installation led to cracks over time—a couple of quarter-sized gaps and loose pieces. I left the gaps alone and used a basic glue to hold the loose pieces in place. I removed the existing molding with a hammer, then vacuumed the area to remove all debris (and unwanted pet fur 🙈).

TILE DECAL APPLICATION

This was SO EASY!!! The designs are printed on a high-gloss vinyl that peel on and off like buttaaah. The adhesive is user-friendly and very forgiving. I applied the decals with my bare hands, relocating them a handful of times until they lined up just right (on my particularly uneven tiles 😂). For the smaller cuts of tile, I used an x-acto knife, metal ruler, cutting mat and pen to make fitted cuts. The pen wiped right off!

Side note: these decals had me oh-so-blissfully reminiscing about my favorite product of all time: removable wallpaper. 💕

MOLDING INSTALLATION

Measure thrice, cut once. I measured my hearth, and cut my molding on a 45-degree angle with a miter saw. Using a nail gun, I slowly, but surely, secured the new trim. This was tricky because the nails needed to latch into the wood floor (not the concrete!). I highly recommend using a nail gun designed to shoot on an angle. Me; I improvised. And sometimes hammered in my nails flush. 🤷‍♀️

My extra added step: my hearth is uneven! I did not want to see the sidetile. I opted to cut my molding to the highest overhang. Since I couldn’t purchase molding 1⅛” high, I used a table saw to “rip” the wood to size. The wood is about a ¼ to ⅜” higher on the left side, but looks SO MUCH BETTER. Done is better than perfect. Say it with me!!

FINISHING

Time to wood putty those nail holes! Once dried, I sanded the putty smooth. I taped along the hardwood floor and applied two coats of my preferred polyurethane. I recommend a light sanding in between each coat. Refer to the instructions for adequate drying time.

IN CONCLUSION

This DIY fireplace makeover took three to four hours to complete with a total cost: $55. Yep; you read right. FIFTY-FIVE BUCKS!!! You can’t beat that with a stick. A set of 10, custom 12” tile decals comes to $33 and the molding was approximately $20. Most of the time was spent replacing the molding. I’d say it took 30 to 40 minutes to install the decals. SO FRIGGIN’ QUICK!!

This fireplace was a thorn in my side. Now, she’s a GODDAMN BEAUT. My original goal was to replace the hearth with freshly-poured concrete and/or new tile, but this DIY is so AWESOME it might be swaying me. We’ll find out in time. In time.

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Fireplace Makeover Ideas | Fireplace Makeovers on a Budget | Before & After | Jessica Brigham Blog

 

LET’S TALK GIVEAWAY, BISHES!!!!

StickPretty and I have teamed up to give the gift of $75 toward your next purchase!!!

Hop on over to my Instagram – @imjessicabrigham – to enter to win!

Giveaway runs until Friday, January 12, at 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time!

GOOD LUCK!!

 

HOW DO YOU LIKE MY DIY FIREPLACE MAKEOVER?!

LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

 

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9 Comments

  1. OMG … this looks AHMAZING!!!! ❤️💪🏻🔨🛠👍🏻

    1. Jessica Brigham says:

      Thank you so much, Mama!!!

    2. Laurie davies says:

      I wld have stripped the paint off the Brick and replaced the mantel with piece of scaffolding wood stained dark

      1. Jessica Brigham says:

        To each their own! 🙂

    1. Jessica Brigham says:

      Thanks so much, Michelle! They really do. Highly recommended!!

  2. Love this project! I have a similar crime happening to my hearth!
    Would the tiles adhere to faux brick? Or do they need to applied to tile that’s the same size as tile decals?

    1. Jessica Brigham says:

      Hey Joy! Thank you for your sweet words! When you say faux, do you mean brick veneer? I have no doubt it would adhere to that! What’s great about StickPretty is they can custom make the tiles to fit your surface. I bet it’s recommended to use the same size, but I’m sure you could break the rules a little bit as long as there’s a flat clean surface for the vinyl to adhere to. Hope that helps!! Keep me updated if you ever do a project! xoxo

    2. Jessica Brigham says:

      Thank you, Joy!! I hear that. 😂 I know they’ll apply to a flat surface, so the texture of faux brick may not work. However, I would reach out to StickPretty and see what they say! They were incredibly helpful with my tile situation. They also make custom sized decals to fit any space, so if it works, you can get the exact size you need!! Good luck. 💕

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