Fireplace Transformation: Stacked Stone and a Fresh New Look

This Salem fireplace already had a feature worth keeping: a white mantel with detailed trim and decorative panels. The dark surround and brass-trim insert, however, gave it a very different look from the lighter update the project would bring.

For this renovation, Handyman State LLC replaced the original surround with textured stacked stone and updated the fireplace with a clean black insert. Keeping the existing mantel helped preserve the fireplace’s character while changing its appearance.

From a Dark Surround to Textured Stone

The original fireplace featured a dark, veined surround and prominent brass trim. Those finishes created a strong contrast with the white mantel and surrounding walls.

The new stacked-stone surround introduces lighter shades of gray, cream, and tan. Its varied surfaces add texture, giving the fireplace a different appearance from both straight-on and angled views.

The detail photo highlights those changes. Individual stone pieces create depth around the insert, while the existing white trim provides a clear border around the stonework.

A Black Insert Completes the New Pairing

Along with the surround, the fireplace received an updated black insert. Its simple frame draws attention to the flame display and contrasts with the lighter stone.

Together, the stone and black frame give the fireplace a more contemporary appearance. The photos capture this stage of the renovation, with the new surround and insert in place and the hearth area still exposed.

Keeping the Existing White Mantel

A noticeable transformation doesn’t always require replacing every feature.

Here, the existing white mantel remained part of the design. Its paneled columns and decorative molding frame the updated surround, bringing the original details and new materials

together.

The before-and-after comparison shows how much the surrounding finishes affect the overall appearance. The familiar mantel now frames a fireplace with a lighter color palette, more surface texture, and a different focal point.

Considering a Fireplace Update in Salem?

If you’re thinking about refreshing your fireplace, start with what you like about the existing space and what you’d like to change. A few photos can help explain your ideas, whether you’re

interested in a different surround, updated trim, or a broader renovation.

Contact Handyman State LLC to discuss your project. Share photos of your current fireplace and tell us about the look you have in mind.