Scavenger Chic

Black Fireplace Makeover and Shiplap Wall

• By Joan
• May 18, 2022
• 10 Comments

Black Fireplace Makeover and Shiplap Wall

It was waaaaay back in 2017 that I finally got tired of my brick fireplace and decided I was ready for a change.  All the smoke stains and  efflorescence  (the white stuff that leaks out of  bricks and masonry),        got covered with a crisp clean coat of white, brick and mortar paint.

Smoke stains were gone. I even managed to create a faux railroad tie mantel from a piece of old wood about the same time.

My fireplace was still white and crisp and clean when I showed my latest coffee table back in February.

But now it has been a few years and I’m getting tired of my fresh, clean fireplace.  I was ready for a change.  And that’s why I have a blog, I’m always ready for a change!

Lately I’ve been drawn to these dark moody fireplaces I’ve found online.  BTW,  I also love the floor lamp.

You can find the before and after of this makeover here.  They also painted over red brick.

I also found this one with a collection of 8 other fireplace accent walls. 

I don’t know, if it’s the color or the wood molding that really sets these fireplaces apart.

Even middle son and his wife have a black shiplap wall surrounding their fireplace.  You can find their faux railroad tie mantel here.  It’s made just a little bit differently than my own.

I have black accents everywhere, now I have to have a black fireplace.

Time to get started.  If I had known just how quickly this project would go I would have tackled it months ago. 

The entire brick makeover was probably a half hour tops.  And that included using painters tape wherever I needed a crisp clear line.

I also opened all the windows, donned a face mask and clipped back the curtains to prevent over spray on them.

Since I used mortar paint on the brick 5 years ago, I figured I’m just painting over paint and not brick so why not just use spray paint?  Two cans of Rustoleum ultra matte in Slate was all it took to cover the brick completely.

I did not have any issues with the paint when I had a fire a couple weeks later.  I’m still debating whether I should have gone all the way black, but the slate color was a great first step.

To really finish out my wall and draw the eye upwards I wanted my own cool wood accents above the fireplace.

I just happened to have just the right amount of this discarded old wood. It still had nails and knots and splintered boards but it was perfect.

Use a level to nail up narrower side pieces up to the ceiling.  You may want to make the angled cut first before determining your final length.  If you have one, use a nail gun with finishing nails to attach or just a hammer and nails.

I laid my now nailless boards on the floor before attaching to the wall.   Just like wood flooring, you’ll want to make sure your seams are staggered.

My first inclination for the shiplap  wall was to paint with a blackwash, a watered down black paint, but now that I have it on the wall I’m kind of loving the richness of the wood.

Who knows, I may change my mind tomorrow or in 5 years. 😀 

The entire makeover was about $16 for 2 cans of spray paint.

I’m still working on artwork to go above the fireplace.  The mirror I had previously is out (for now).

You’ll just have to check in again to see what I eventually decided on and of course, how you can create your own custom artwork.

Until next time, stay inspired.

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Black Shiplap Wall, Faux Railroad Tie Mantel Easy Rustic Step Stool diy Primitive Junk Angel One fish, two fish…house numbers