The HH’s big project for this week is to remove the old tile in front of the fireplace and replace it with something else. Preferably something that’s not flashy. Something you don’t even really notice when you walk into the room.
We haven’t lit a fire in this fireplace since we’ve been here, but it looks like the previous owners did and so I think cleaning out the fireplace and scrubbing down the walls might be on my project list for today. 😉 Yuck.
Breaking tile is not a fun task and safety glasses are a must, that’s for sure.
The tile the HH removed in front of the fireplace was 3/4″ thick and a bit of a challenge to get out, so it took a while, but he finally got it all out.
And so now we just have to figure out what to put in it’s place.
The space in front of the fireplace is sort of an odd shape {17 1/4″ x 65″} and so it’s not like my husband can just pick a tile off the shelf at Home Depot and plop it into place. The tiles will have to be cut {which according to the HH is a bit of a chore}.
So although it’s a bit of an awkward shape, it’s a small space and so my guess is we’ll be able to complete this whole project for less than $100. The only questions is… what kind of tile do we want? Which is probably something we should have figured out BEFORE he tore up the old tile.
Ahh home improvement projects… sometimes I think it’s best just to dive in and figure it out along the way. 😉
~Mavis
Mrs. C. says
Alternatively, instead of Tyler, find a piece of granite that you like and have The big box home improvement store cut and install it.
Mrs. C. says
*tile. Autocorrect strikes again!
Mel says
Yes, I was thinking granite or quartz or something as well. Or maybe even poured concrete with shells pressed into it. I’m not sure what materials would work as far as heat resistance and ease of cleaning though.
Erin says
Any granite shop will have scrap pieces they’ll sell for really cheap & would give a solid piece that fits exactly! That’s how we got great bathroom countertops for cheaper than the big box store pre-made faux stone counters. Granite needs some occasional care (polishing) but I’ve heard it’s great for a fireplace hearth!
Sue says
I think I like this reply. Granite or soapstone or bluestone might be a similar thickness to the old tiles. Sue
Ilenr says
I agree. In my last house, I replaced the tile with a remnant piece of taj mahal quartzite that my granite place had leftover in their scrapyard. Much cheaper than going to a big box store. They were happy to get rid of it and get the fee for cutting and prepping it.
Kim says
Will this eventually become a working fireplace or is your wood stove adequate?
Mavis Butterfield says
The wood stove is adequate. 🙂
Lillian says
Place the same material you used in your foyer.
Heather says
That is what I was thinking too!
Patty says
Soapstone would be a great option!
Ashley Bananas says
I’m noticing that you decorate with a lot of natural items in this room. It looks great. Are you sourcing them locally with beach finds? Would love a little tour of your found decorations.
Carrie says
We did rocks in front of our fireplace in our old house. They come in big sheets and would be easy to cut to make it fit what space you have. My husband didn’t really like having to grout them. We love the look when it was done. It would definitely fit in with the vibe of your beach house.
Terri says
I had to laugh when I saw your fireplace picture. It brought back one of my father’s well-known opinions: “There’s a place in hell for people who paint brick!”
Brianna says
Too funny! My dad was an architect and one of his signatures on his designs was using brick on an exterior element. He absolutely is appalled at painted brick and some of the trends and has been known to be vocal to people about it. We have been looking at possibly buying another house and if I see a painted brick I turn the other way, his thoughts on brick echo in my mind.
Della Roche says
My Dad agreed! When we sold his home after he passed away, the real estate agents wanted us to paint all of the bricks a light color – I’m sure my Dad was raving at him from the beyond.
Mavis Butterfield says
It was painted when we got here and while I don’t mind it, I would have never painted over the brick.
Cheryl says
All I can say is if I was your husband I would hide.
Mavis Butterfield says
Hilarious!
KC says
Make sure you get something heat-tolerant – you don’t want cracking, and you may want to have a fire in the fireplace for fun even if you usually use the wood stove for heat – and decently easy to clean. Otherwise, good luck.
Linda says
I like the stone idea!!! But my first thought was granite or something you could have cut. My brother owns a solid surface counter top business & he’s done that for folks before. Always leftovers from other projects he can cut for folks.
Diane says
Don’t laugh, but my Dad got a headstone that had been done wrong from a monument business and used that in front of the fireplace. It is now my fireplace and I’ve forgotten the name of the person on the underside of the stone, but I know Daddy got it for next to nothing!
Wynne says
What a great story!
Cindy Miller says
Welllll, I don’t know about slate, maybe? Yetttt, what about sea glass? How exciting. I have made numerous 14×14 stepping stone with grout and sea glass. That’s a thought. Pennies or nickels inlaid into grout on top of cement???
Julie says
Could you make your own tiles with your kiln? I love your whale pattern. How cute would that be as your tile. Or the texture of your rugs that you create!
debbie in alaska says
I love this idea!!!
LindaT says
If the home were mine, I would take the wood “frame” out too and put there whatever you put in where the bricks were. But of course it is your home, and thankfully your decision.
Idaho girl says
You could embed some of your heart rocks in cement!
Katherine says
We went to our local granite shops to locate a remnant for a hearth during the renovation of our previous home. We provided a template and they cut and came to our home to set the granite. All in it was about $200.00
Sue says
Mavis can you tell me what/where you got your dining room table or did hubby dub make it for you? Sue
Victoria says
Maybe the pebbles tile would work. . they are in my master shower and I LOVE THEM. . but you will find the perfect “tile” for this job
Zadu says
Let HIM choose the replacement tiles and put them in. You can then strongly disapprove. Repeat that a few times.
I’m not a certified marriage counselor. That’s a good thing. I’d get far too much entertainment value out of it with advice like this!
(Can’t wait to see the finished product.)
Kippy says
What about using beachcombing finds like sea glass, pebbles etc as a mosaic pattern or making your own handmade tiles?
Vicki in Birmingham says
Mavis, you are so talented, I am thinking you may consider making a “Maine Whale” mosaic…or something else Maine-ish…like lobsters and a trap (to the side of it not in it) and the things that would go with that or Chickadees and Maine woods. Maybe a lake with loons. And maybe The Girl could give you some ideas to consider too and the two of you could paint/fire your tiles and put a scene there made of that . I guess I am just thinking outloud on paper so to speak.
I am sure whatever you decide will look great and fit right in with your design scheme.
Lori says
We put a beautiful piece of slate In front of our fire place. It looks beautiful and natural. A word of caution; some stones are not heat tolerant and will basically explode if they get to hot. Check to make sure what your getting is safe to use around a fireplace.
Marlene Wurtzbacher says
Maybe local slate for the floor in front of the fireplace?
Leslie says
I think a nice tan brick would fade against the wood floor fairly well, and it’s not a huge leap since there is already a brick fireplace. I never thought of soapstone as others suggested but that sounds beautiful too.
Linda says
My sister is a ceramic artist and she makes the most beautiful tiles. Sometimes she presses leaves or shell designs into them, sometimes she makes molds from existing art deco designs and makes her tiles from those.
I know you make ceramics too. Why not make your own?
Laura says
If you want to remove the paint, you can sandblast it away pretty quickly and easily (although it is messy). We did this with our house when I was a kid and my dad did an entire wall in about a day. Had to touch up the grout in a couple spots, but if you like the look, it might be worth it for your forever home.
Tracy says
Given the relatively small size of the space to be tiled, consider having one solid piece of stone –rather than flashy marble or even granite– cut to fit and dropped in. A nice, local, quietly colored single piece of stone would be consistent with the natural look you’re going for throughout your lovely house.
Diana says
If you’re looking for something that isn’t flashy, yet still classy, I would look at slate. There are a variety of colors, including a lot of dark colors, yet it’s totally natural. My Mom used slate for a front entrance way and it was stable and beautiful for 50 years.