My parents have lived in my childhood home since I was 1 years old, about 38 years! They recently knocked down a wall and opened up their living room and a spare bedroom to create a large great room. It is perfect for our large family of 4 kids and 10 grandkids! Not to mention they are very active in their community and church, so they host 20+ people regularly. I am thrilled they had a large space to entertain. When they opened up the space they added wood floors, a major update in itself, except for the dated rock wood burning fireplace. It was really a dark hole. They never burned a fire either. We decided to give their fireplace a makeover and major facelift with an electric fireplace as their Christmas gift!!
Thank you Home Depot for sponsoring this post
My entire family pitched in and helped with this speed fireplace makeover. Kevin, myself and the kids flew in on Friday night at midnight to Utah. Saturday we had a funeral service for my sweet grandpa who had passed a few weeks prior. Then we started this fireplace makeover as a family. My dad officiated the funeral service and shared wonderful memories of his father-in-law, one being that they used to work together on many jobs, and one job happened to be installing fireplaces. Made me thankful that we were honoring him by spending time together working on a projects, installing a fireplace.
This fireplace makeover will hopefully shed some light on the fact that you can truly make any space look better than before with a little bit of effort and vision! Electric fireplaces are seriously the best discovery for me this past year! After Kevin and I had an electric fireplace installed in our small home, it made us realize that a “fireplace” is something every.single.home can enjoy!
Electric Fireplace // Ottomans- Pouf // Green Christmas Stocking // Garland- Alaskan Spruce with lights // Large Bulb Lights //Wood Wreath
Battery Operated Candles // Art- “She found herself” profile // Art- Abstract (above fireplace)
First step was making a design plan. I knew we could be able to cover up the rock by framing over the rock and adding shiplap to the front. I went to one of my go-to’s for home decor and home remodeling- thehomedepot.com! I found the perfect electric fireplace, Christmas Garland, Christmas stockings and ottomans all at The Home Depot. My parents also live near The Home Depot, so we were able to find all our building supplies for the fireplace and also some last minute houseplants, and Christmas lights.
Here is the Rock Fireplace Before-
Electric Fireplace After-
Fireplace Makeover-
I didn’t write a full tutorial of the process because we actually followed the tutorial of the fireplace makeover we did on this blog post! Basically Kevin and my brother, Dustin built a frame over the rock with 2×4’s. Then inserted the electric fireplace and secured around it with 2×4’s. Next added shiplap! All of the supplies we got from The Home Depot.
Kevin and my brother-in-law built the mantle out of three 1”x6”x6’ common pine boards (tutorial on this blog post). We stained the mantle with Weathered Oak Stain and it matched the wood floor so well.
The best thing about an electric fireplace is that all you need to do it plug it in! You don’t have to hire an electrician. We simply had the cord come out the bottom of the fireplace and plug-into a nearby outlet. Super easy.
Also this electric fireplace is amazing because you can adjust the temperature with a thermostat. We attached it to the side of the fireplace and covered the cord with this cord cover from The Home Depot.
Fireplace Decor- Christmas and Everyday Decor-
I decided to decorate the fireplace for Christmas, even though it is only a few days away, it is NEVER too late!! And we are going to be having Christmas at my moms this year and our annual Christmas breakfast and Christmas dinner.
I used two of these evergreen garlands layered on top of each other! Simply put two nails in the mantle and attached the garland to the nails. Went a little extra by layering a strand of these clear lightbulbs too! Even tho the garlands came pre-lite I love the extra glow of the big bulbs.
You really don’t need a lot on a fireplace mantle, lights, maybe a battery operated candle and simple wreath! I was thrilled to find this wood wreath for under $20 from The Home Depot. Really makes a statement for not a lot of money.
I even found the velvet green stockings from The Home Depot too for $17! They are even better than I thought!!
These poufs were a huge deciding factor of the height of the electric fireplace. They really cozy up the fireplace. Plus they double as bonus seating for large gatherings. We had dinner in this space right after I finished decorating it and looked over to my niece’s sitting on the poufs- just as I had imagined!
We did end up painting the hearth in Rust-Oleum Charcoal Chalked Paint (we did seal them in the sealer too). Love how it contrasts with the wood floor so nice, rather than competes. And since we had the paint I was inspired to paint both their interior doors in the charcoal chalk paint too. (My cutie niece painting one of the doors!).
Since their coat closet was missing now- they added storage to the built-in as a coat closet!
We can’t wait to enjoy Christmas morning in this space!! And make sure to check back in a few days to see the other side of the room we wallpaper and updated!
Links to Electric Fireplace Makeover-
We were able to find all the supplies to frame in the fireplace and also all the finishing touches at The Home Depot. They carry thousands of on-trend products to fit your style and complete your project so you can design your home from top to bottom!!
Garland- Alaskan Spruce with lights
Rust-Oleum Charcoal Chalked Paint
Glass Hurricane (similar here)
Art- “She found herself” profile
Art- Abstract (above fireplace)
Blog post on our Electric Fireplace
Brooke, it is stunning!! Absolutely gorgeous!
What I’d give to have you come to my house and redo a room!!!! You are so talented.
Awesome!
This makeover made me teary! I love your parents and this space is sooo great! Merry Christmas to everyone
love you!!
Your makeovers are amazing! When I was watching the videos in your insta stories I was thinking you guys totally should have a show lol I would watch it! Haha…Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, so fun to have this new space to enjoy with your family xx
thank you Megan!!!
What a lot gift! That really is a transformation. Merry Christmas!!
Oops, meant lovely, not lot!
Great ob. What a difference that makes. There were a lot of those “rock’ fireplaces years ago. Yours looks MUCH better.
This is so wonderful. A bright new space for your parents. I am in awe of your never-ending talent.
I love this! Looks so bright and beautiful! Very hygge! I love the poufs! Are they more ivory or beige looking?