A Fireplace Face Lift: The Spruce Package

First, a confession

Okay friends, confession: This post has been sitting in my drafts for A WHOLE YEAR. So how about I go ahead and publish it!? Happy one year anniversary, little blog draft! *Tosses confetti.*

Truly, I love writing and sharing creative content almost as much as I love the actual interior design process, so it might seem surprising that I’m not publishing in these spaces more often. But, fun fact: so much of my writing-and-social-media energy has been devoted to other brands! Did you know that I’ve created content for Sprout and Blossom Birth for the last four years? Ultimately, my time spent building my interior design business has been filled to the brim with client projects, and I’m so grateful to be consistently booked. But I also have so many projects that have never been revealed, and I’d love to preserve them in this space eventually. Will this be the year I post design content more consistently? Maybe…but I also have a couple other exciting behind-the-scenes interior design ventures to focus on this year! I can’t wait to share all about them when the time is right…

In the meantime, let’s let this little old fireplace face lift have its moment, shall we? The rough design sketch contained in this blog is an example of what can be accomplished with a Spruce package — my most affordable e-design package. For projects that require a more thorough construction plan in addition to a visual concept, my 3D renderings offer just that, and are quoted per project. I have some other fireplace face lift projects to showcase that feature 3D rendering design plans — that would be a great way to compare service options, so I should publish another blog post! (Like, sooner than a year from now…)

Fireplace Face Lift

Here’s a look at the before photo, alongside thoughts from my client:

A “before” picture of the fireplace wall of focus

Notes from the design brief:

• Add cabinets

• Update the shelving

• Ditch the current mantel millwork (Quote, “Get the weird squares out of my mantel” lol)

• Paint the fireplace?

• Paint or wallpaper the shelving walls

• Make sure the idea is cohesive with the home, with crown moulding

The design plan

A look at the design sketch and key notes

This fireplace wall had great potential. I wanted to present a look that suits the overall design concept my client was going for (modern geometry, moody tones, masculine elements softened up with feminine features…) while bringing it up to par with its potential. I focused on balancing wood tones that blend with the flooring, contrasting the surrounding white walls with a bold dark green (a nice companion with the deep green window treatments my client had already purchased), and enhancing the scale for what originally felt incomplete/empty.

While this quick-sketch lil Spruce project didn't include a complete shelf styling plan (available if you wish!), I wanted to encourage larger-scale styling elements rather than several small, individual items spread out throughout the shelving. So I dropped in some sample objects to help portray that vision. Notice how even though there are lots of items in the sample styling, it doesn't feel cluttered; that's because of the careful arrangements of objects in groups. The layers, stacking, and clustering in distinguished sections helps the styling feel intentional and interesting.

I also wanted to address the scale of the styling above the mantel. I recommended a large-scale mirror that touched down to the mantel (creating an “anchored” feeling), flanked by candle sconces to add depth and interest on the large wall space. One simple plant would do for styling the mantel to balance out the busier shelves, and I'd go with something cascading to add depth and lend to a cozy, lived-in feel.

Although my client was open to painting the fireplace brick, I wanted to preserve its natural appearance and found that it fit right in with the balance and tones of the rest of the design plan. Paneled cabinet doors offer interest and contribute to a timeless look. The mantel build-out takes care of that empty wall space and levels up the scale of the fireplace. Notice how much more substantial the fireplace feels, and how much more unified it is with the surrounding shelves!

The design plan features Sherwin Williams Jasper paint for the backdrop of the shelves. Jasper is probably my second-most-recommended paint color of all time. And I’ve use it throughout my own home, too. It’s a swoon-worthy dark green tone, and it looks great with warm or cold hardware finishes! I suggested aiming for ash or walnut wood tones that would blend nicely with the flooring while offering a softer, more matted finish to the fireplace wall. Overall, this design lends nicely to iron rubbed bronze, satin gold/brass, and antique brass finishes — and also suits the cohesive look of this client’s complete home.

With this sketch in hand, my client would be able to meet with a builder and show just what she was looking to do with her fireplace and surrounding built-ins. A low-investment Spruce package can go a long way; it sets the foundation for the entire design project and guides all materials selections and build plans. One of my values as an interior designer is to offer flexible services that cater to clients’ unique needs, budgets, and timelines. So if you’re looking to make the most of your own space, you can tell me more about your project, and I’ll help us fine-tune a plan that suits you!