Title: Ever regretted a fireplace facelift? Quick poll time
Sometimes it’s better to just work with what you’ve got and keep things simple.
Totally get this. Our house is from the 1920s and the original brick has so much character, even with a few chips here and there. We almost went for a stone veneer but after seeing a neighbor’s start crumbling after just a couple winters, we stuck with paint. No regrets—touch-ups are way easier than dealing with loose stones. Sometimes old stuff just holds up better.
We looked into redoing our 70s fireplace with tile, but honestly, the price tag made us pause. Ended up just cleaning up the old brick and calling it a day. Curious—has anyone actually saved money by doing a big facelift, or is it usually pricier than expected?
Never really found a facelift to be cheaper, unless you’re doing every bit yourself and sourcing reclaimed materials. I once tried a DIY limewash on our brick—super budget-friendly, just messy. If you’re handy, upcycling what’s there can look surprisingly fresh without the big spend.
Title: Ever regretted a fireplace facelift? Quick poll time
Totally agree—unless you’re a wizard with power tools and have a stash of old brick or tile, the costs creep up fast. I’ve seen a few clients try to save with peel-and-stick stone or paint, but sometimes it ends up looking a bit...temporary. Did you seal your limewash after? I’m always curious how those finishes hold up over time, especially with kids or pets around. Upcycling’s great, but sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the hassle versus just living with the original look for a while.
I’ve definitely seen peel-and-stick stone look rough after a year or two, especially if you’ve got a busy household. I usually recommend sealing limewash, but even then, scuffs happen. Has anyone tried just cleaning up the original brick and calling it done? Sometimes the “before” isn’t so bad once you live with it.