I really hope this works out. Do you ever start a project with that sentence? Because we really love this idea that I saw and thought it would be perfect for our small front room. We are going to add a fireplace! An electric fireplace. With a full brick surround and wood mantle. Eeekkkk! I am so excited! When we moved into this home 3 years ago I looked into adding a fireplace and it was over 5,000 to do it. And not to mention we would have to add gas to our home to get a gas fireplace. Which would be nice, but not ready to fully commit to this house. So very excited to attempt this electric fireplace. I really hope this works out.
The idea came to me when I saw a blog post from Chris Loves Julia. They added an electric fireplace to their master bedroom. It turned out beautiful! I thought, wait we could do that! I really had never thought of that before. I always thought they looked cheesy, until I saw their makeover. (You can see their post HERE). While I really love the look of their fireplace, it might be too modern for our 1950’s home. So going for a slightly different look.
Above is the area we are going to add the fireplace. I tapped off the space to visually see where the fireplace will go. Taping it off helps to much to know the scale. We ordered THIS Wood Mantle, you can see it leaning against the wall. Considering leaving it natural, as is. What do you think?? Also the bright will go floor to ceiling.
Also going to paint this room- which will lead to eventually painting the entire house. If you give a mouse a cookie. Right?
We had that white secretary desk on that wall. I realized that we weren’t really using the secretary desk as a work space. And there isn’t a lot in that desk either. We could easily find a home for the items that were in the desk. The scale also bothered me. It felt off, but wanted to get something that was practical. My friend bought the secretary desk and is going to put it in her daughters room (I will share her room soon too!).
I just have to show you what we had on this wall when we moved in. SO BIG! I have talked about this before. But it is worth mentioning how important it is to get the right things for the home not make things work from a previous home. It took me awhile to let that tall sideboard go. I thought I “needed” all that storage and it was one of my favorite pieces of furniture. But look at us now- we will have nothing on that wall for storage! We made some other smart changes in our home so that is how we can go from all that to nothing.
I have always been in love with painted brick. I said if we get a new home then I would put in brick and paint it white. I love the texture.
Painted Brick Fireplace Inspiration-
Outdoor Fireplace (source)
Brick Fireplace (source) black hearth
Notice how the actual fireplace in the above picture is not to the ground? I *think* that is what we are going to do. Rather than the picture above it with the hearth. Not going to add a heart. (White Brick Fireplace source)
The picture above (photo from THIS Costal Home) reminds me of what our fireplace is going to look like. It is more square and has the faux wood in it. THIS is the exact electric fireplace we ordered.
Let’s hope this works out! If not this is the end of the story.
Just kidding. It will be great. We have someone coming to help us with it tomorrow! I will report back hopefully soon.
Sources-
THIS Wood Mantle
THIS Electric Fireplace we ordered
Amy Dow says
I saw that post from CLJ and it was so cute! What a great idea!! Can’t wait to see how it turns out!!😍
Rebecca says
I love this idea!! We owned a home without a fire place as well. So we purchased an electric fire place insert and my talented hubby built a surround for it to fit on a wall in our small living room (it’s also raised off the floor). When “winter” in Florida 😆 rolled around we moved the unit into our bedroom to heat it a little more while our daughter was first born.
Last year we sold and relocated for work not knowing where exactly we wanted to settle down again so we’re Tempararly renting and the fireplace and surround have made the little rental feel like home❤️😊
I truly love your blog and your genuine self! Thank you for inspiring so many!
Liz says
We renovated our beach house a few years ago and winterized it so we could go through out the year. I really wanted a fireplace but a wood burning one or a gas one were not options. I had to REALLY convince my husband to have an electric one installed. He reluctantly agreed because he, too, thought they were super cheesy. Fast forward to now and he LOVES it! It is his favorite thing about that house in the cooler months. He wakes up every morning and goes downstairs to listen to music, read the paper snd drink his tea while sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace. It not only adds nice ambience but ours throws off a decent amount of heat, too. I am sure you will love it and wonder why you waited so long to do it!
Sandra says
Following this and I am so excited to see how it goes for your!! I want to do the same thing, and I need pictures to convince my husband. Such an awesome idea for those of us that want a fireplace but don’t want to spend tons of money to get it!
Amy says
Love this idea! We have a gas insert fireplace and love it. It’s instant coziness when we want it. Love the mantle you chose and think the natural look will look great. Can’t wait to see the final result 🙂
Stacy says
Brooke, Had to laugh when I saw the white Sideboard. I did the same thing in our first downsize. I was so hung up on keeping my formal dining furniture it wasn’t until we had guests over I realized the furniture was too big for the space and it no longer fit our lifestyle. Can’t wait to see your painted brick. I have a fireplace that I’m not in love with the red brick color.
[email protected] says
YES!! It really was a silly thing to hold onto pieces from old homes! Better to go with what is best for the house. Not for my issues with attachment! ha!
Stephanie says
Love this! So excited for you! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!!
sweetfe says
I have no idea how I missed the ChrisLovesJulia fireplace post! Before you poke holes in your wall…check this out. I have been drooling over it for ages! DIY Faux Farmhouse Style Fireplace and Mantel – https://www.twelveonmain.com/diy-faux-farmhouse-style-fireplace-and-mantel/
It may not be your thing…or goal…or vision…but I LOVE it. Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you do!
Lisa Zahn says
I was totally inspired by the Twelve on Main one too, and went out and bought a second electric wood stove with it in mind (we had one in the lower level, the new one goes in the living room) . I was going to have my husband build a mantle just like the one in the blog post you’ve linked, but then I found a really pretty oak mantel on Facebook Marketplace and now we’re making that work. We’ll be building a hearth for it out of slate tiles. It makes me happy as I’ve always wanted a fireplace but the expense was too much. This will be around $300 in total, and it’s so cozy and pretty.
Pari says
In our old house, we put an electric fireplace in our master bedroom and ended up with a baby! 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it all turns out! Everything you do always looks amazing!
Karen says
I can’t wait to see how the fireplace turns out! I have a “fireplaceless” home as well and I’ve always wanted one! So excited 😊
Jennifer Wood says
Just letting you know that Wayfair makes many different styles of electric fireplaces with hearths and mantles already included…I have one in a room with no fireplace and love the ambience it provides. The mantle is substantial enough to hold our large television also.
[email protected] says
yes!! My friend has one from Wayfair. That is a great option too! Thanks for sharing!
shawnna Griffin says
hey girl- this is so cool! good luck!