Any suggestions on how to lighten stone on this fireplace?

[Blaine Hubert]

Hello,

Can someone please help me find a way to lighten the stone on this fireplace without damaging it?

I have no idea other than spaying it with paint or something but not sure how that will work.

Does anyone know how to go about lightening the color of stone?

Thanks

[Frank Adams]

I doubt that you'd be able to do anything with the stone, it's been that color for a few million years. Unless the exterior of the house is the same color, and even if it is, I'd probably change out the stone for something light.

I had never considered it before but on some of the "flipper" TV shows I see people taking out old stone and putting in travertine or something similar. However, being lazy and cheap I'd try to find out if there isn't something I can do to "tone down" the stone by toning up the surrounding surfaces, walls and floors. I have a friend that could earn at least as much as an interior designer as she does as a Realtor. She'll come in and make color suggestions to me that I never would have thought of myself.

If you don't have that skill yourself, consider hiring someone who does. Why change out stone if different paint on the walls could fix the problem?

That looks like a "popcorn" ceiling. If it is I'd change that before I did anything else. I hate that stuff.

all cash

[Scott Weaner]

Why lighten the stone? You could consider putting a mantle across, then hanging a picture or mirror above to break up the expanse of stone.

[Richard F.]

No idea of the quality of that pic, but I bet you would feel better about the stone if you ditched the brown carpet. Go with a much lighter floorcovering and new ceiling white paint, and maybe you could alter the mortar joints to get a lighter look too. Like allcash said, the rocks have been that color a looong time. IMHO, any type of acid wash or glaze would be totally experimental...It looks like it's pretty clean, but if not some good old TSP should handle any soot.

[Michael Shadow]

I too would go with a lighter flooring and with a lighter white on the walls, that would make the fireplace appear darker and darker objects become the focal point in a room, which you almost always want a fireplace to be. The biggest thing detracting from the room is the carpet.

If it's your house or a flip in a nice area I would probably go with a bamboo floor, it's nice and light and would really add a lot to the room. If it's a flip in an area that isn't so nice I would probably just replace the floor with a cheap light colored berber. If it's a rental I'd go with the cheap berber or a commercial flooring tile.

[Blaine Hubert]

This house is a flip. We are almost done and I'm just looking for a way to make the fireplace more appealing.

I have removed the popcorn on the ceiling and painted it white. Went with a neutral color on the walls and replaced the carpet with new walnut color frazee carpet. Also replaced all the trim with bright while. Everything is looking very nice and hoping to put all the finishing touches on the house by the end of this coming weekend.

Anyone else have an idea to lighten up the fireplace? I've had several people (family and realtors) come through the house and suggest that the fireplace is the only thing lacking in the house.

Also, finished pictures will be added to my other thread as soon as everything is completed.

Thanks

[Connie Brzowski]

Personally, I love the stone on that fireplace. Its dark, but dark is okay.

It needs a mantle... that's not an opinion, that's a fact :D You just can't do much with a mantle-less fireplace, decorating-wise.

Plus, mantles are relatively inexpensive-- our cabinet guy makes them and will match the wood in the kitchen for continuity.

That said, I'd also buy a nice fireplace screen and have that installed... it'll make a world of difference.

[Me Chan]

The stone is beautiful. If you can you can take out the silver grout via scoring with a kinfe and replace with something lighter. Get rid of the ugly carpet and lighten the flooring color. Also get a mantel, paint it the lightest color of stone on the fireplace.

[Blaine Hubert]

I went ahead and cleaned the whole thing with Muriatic acid. This took off all the old grime and smoke tar stains... I think it looks much better than before and a little lighter.

This house is now done just finishing up on staging it and will get after pics posted on my other thread. Already received an offer on the house and in negotiations on getting a little more out of it.

Thanks for all the help.

[Michael Shadow]

If you get a chance to post an after pic that would be wonderful.

[N/A N/A]

Yes, if you have a pic, please post it. I recently encountered an almost exact scenario on a house south of Indy. The house was completely gutted except that stone. The stone you have is nice though, and thats ultimately what i decided as well.

I basically did what all the advice here said to do. I concentrated more on what was around it with light carpet, light walls, and a lighter stained mantle. One thing we did with the mantle was we decided a 'simple' design that had little 'ornate' edges would be best, and that really helped tie it all togther.

Anyway, would love to see the after pic!

[Blaine Hubert]

Here is an after pic of what we came out with... does not look perfect but was good enough to sell the house to the first people that looked at it.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

[Michael Shadow]

Great work!! It looks awesome.

[Account Closed]

What a difference. That looks really nice.