Easy fireplace restoration

Easy fireplace restoration

23

June, 2017

Darren and I love to find houses with amazing potential and revive their beauty inside and out. Some elements of our home transformation projects have to be removed and replaced. Others need to be built or fabricated to fit our vision for the home. But we also make efforts to keep as much of the house intact and bring it back to its former glory with a modern touch. 

In our most recent flip, we chose a house with three fireplaces. A fireplace is the heart of a home. Its a special focal point for warmth and gathering. On the main floor we chose to renovate the fireplace inside and out to give it a classic but contemporary feel. We added stonework from floor to ceiling, new doors and replaced the flue liner, damper and other parts. We knew it would look brand new but the entirely sturdy and unblemished firebox and inner hearth were stained with soot, blackening the inner hearth and firebrick unevenly.

To pull it out and replace it for something so cosmetic would be costly and wasteful. We used a solution that made a ton of sense and created the seamlessly new look we wanted. And this simple method can be used by anyone with a fireplace in need of an easy makeover. 

Darren and I shop at the local hardware store all the time-as you can imagine! We headed over and went straight the paint aisle. We chose a black high temperature paint-specifically Rustoleum High Heat Spray Paint. But you have choices. If you’re unsure-just message us or ask a trusty local painter or paint department manager to show you the way.

Once we got home, Darren grabbed one of our empty spray bottles (we reuse or recycle almost obsessively) and we filled it with half vinegar and half warm water. After a quick spray down of the firebox interior, a light brushing and wiping with a cloth, any remaining bits of soot were gone. Once dry (10 minutes or so), we applied the spray paint evenly and as directed on the can. It dried within a short time and voila! We now had a brand new firebox and a potentially laborious and costly project became easy and resourceful. If you’re feeling bold, or simply now just realize how easy it is!, try it for yourself and enjoy the warmth and beauty of your ‘new’ fireplace too!!.