R L G Design Group

The Project

With this project we took a very plain, painted fireplace and dressed it up in keeping with the rest of the room.

When this fireplace was built (the 50's) it was done in standard red brick, floor to ceiling.  At some point a mantel was added by screwing on a dressed-up piece of 2 x 4.  The hearth was only one brick deep, a safety concern, even when it was built.  There were existing bookcases on either side of the fireplace which had been constructed from 2 x 10's.  Clearly a little upgrading was in order.

First to go were the bookcases, to be replaced by adjustable height units with hidden lighting and power outlets.  By using bead board as the panel material (see picture 3) we were able to tie it together with the bead board wainscoting in the room.

The next to be changed was the hearth, which was brought out to meet current code requirements and covered with natural slate tile, then wrapped in a cherry trim.

The trim detail on the mantel gives the illusion of depth without intruding into the living space.  A tile surround was added around the fire box in a color which complements the slate.  Tying the entire project together is the mantel which wraps around the fireplace into the top of the bookcases, making it just over eleven feet long!

While we would like to take credit for the design features on the front of the fireplace, the column and arch design came from an article in Fine Woodworking (issue #184).  

This project is located in Highland Park, Illinois

More Information

For more information on this project or others please contact us at :

info@rlgdesigngroup.com