Living Room Redo with Statement Fireplace – Before and After Photos

I really like any dwelling (or dwelling decor product) that arrives with a one of a kind backstory, and my rental is no exception: It was once two neighboring motel rooms on the north side of Chicago.

The quirky condominium has its perks (a massive master bedroom, walk-in closet, and two wooden-burning fireplaces), but like most concealed gems, it needed really serious cosmetic updates, and the two at the best of my list were the dwelling room’s fire and the uncovered brick — the latter is controversial, I know.

I decided to kick off my condo’s facelift with the hearth. It is the 1st issue you see when you wander in the doorway, so I was eager to swap the dated black sq. tiles for a contemporary assertion. I uncovered a gorgeous large-structure porcelain marble-search slab to use on the fireplace but was annoyed hoping to locate a coordinating tile for the wall.

That’s when a design-savvy friend challenged me to choose the tile all the way from flooring to ceiling, the great remedy for creating the fireplace the statement my living space necessary.

I loved the strategy but was anxious to commit to these types of a daring layout. What if I chose the mistaken tile? What if it will make the room look smaller? Finally, I bit the bullet, employed experts for the installation, and held my breath as they carefully established the 30-pound slabs. The very first significant risk paid off the fire turned out stunning and appears ideal at home future to just one of my most loved pieces, my white lacquer console.

The following enhance on my checklist — also a large structure danger — was modifying the exposed brick on the entrance wall. Brick is totally amazing in the suitable placing, but this dull brown backdrop was creating a space presently missing in pure light-weight glimpse even darker, and it clashed terribly with my new hearth tiles!

I debated painting the brick for in excess of a 12 months and ran the strategy previous many people who warned me it was an irreversible selection I would for good regret. Eventually, I reliable my instincts (and my Photoshop mockup!), resolved to deal with the undertaking, and headed to the hardware retailer.

Prep work is the most critical section of revamping brick. I scrubbed the wall with a TSP mixture, allow it dry overnight, then sealed it with a thick coat of primer. After building sure the brick was absolutely dry, my father and I rolled on a satin complete brick paint by Behr that comes pre-tinted pure white.

3 several hours later, the home was out of the blue sunny, inviting, and all set for a home furniture facelift. I switched my grey sofa for a hardly-made use of Interior Determine sofa I sourced on Fb Marketplace, replaced the glass espresso tables with a wood and rattan just one, and tied the place collectively with a washable rug. My most favorite piece of decor in the place, while, is a family heirloom lithograph of Winston Churchill that was handed down by my mom, who passed absent in 2019. I enjoy how the white brick produces the ideal backdrop for the print.

The lesson listed here? It can be complicated to make drastic design adjustments, in particular when buddies and spouse and children try to persuade you to play it protected. In the conclusion, no 1 is familiar with your home superior than you — so have confidence in your gut, seize your resources, and know that the next time they move via the doorway, they’ll unquestionably acknowledge you ended up proper!