Finished Fireplace in the Carolina Cottage

April 13, 2023

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Finished Fireplace Carolina Cottage

Finally, a Finished Fireplace in this Cottage!

Ya’ll, look at this finished fireplace! Something in this Misery Manor is finally DONE! I never thought this day would come.

We have been busting our behinds for what feels like years at this point, but it’s about to get good. I’m so excited to finally see some pretty stuff after all this scraping!

She’s a Brick House

And I don’t mean that in a good way. This finished fireplace has caused a lot of drama, but she was worth it (I think).

When I bought this little home (off Facebook Marketplace AND while Mark was out of town hehe), I was so hopeful the fireplace had stood the test of time. But, nope. After we pulled the mantle off and started poking around, we discovered so much wood rot.

In addition, to the rot on the interior facing wall, the chimney also had major issues. You may recall we totally removed the two rear chimneys and redid the roof completely (you can read about that here). However, this larger chimney had to say for aesthetics (so dang pretty from the road) and cost.

Finished Fireplace Carolina Cottage
Finished Fireplace

How did you make that finished fireplace look so good?

Well, I’m so glad you asked! 😉

First, I had to remove the bricks used to cover the original opening. Thankfully, I was able to salvage a ton of brick to replace that ugly cover up! Then we ripped off that old mantle and surround (thanks to my Dad!)

We did have to hire a brick mason to do quite a bit of repair work to make it more structurally sound. The fireplace will still never be safe to use, but that is ok, because she is still pretty! And no longer crumbling, leaking or just otherwise falling to pieces.

I still can’t believe I had the perfect fireplace surround stashed in our barn already. I love it when my treasure hunts from months ago pay off. Sometimes I just get a good feeling and know one day I will have the perfect spot for something unique! 

Schoolhouse Bricks

The best part in all of this to me (besides having something finished) is where the brick came from. The brick we salvaged for this fireplace makeover is from the building I took my very first art classes… in my elementary school! It’s such a sweet, full circle moment for me.

The main part of the school is still standing and is now a fully operating church. I discovered my love of creativity in the very building these bricks helped create. I remember so vividly the classes I took within these walls and my Art teacher, Mrs. West, who so lovingly poured into me. Now here I am, almost 30 years later, using it to restore an old home to it’s glory.

We’ve also saved some of the bricks to use at our future home in Beaufort. I am just truly in awe of this whole process and also so grateful. You can read more about these schoolhouse bricks and how we first acquired them here.

The last piece to finish off the fireplace was how to improve the bricked in opening. A way to make it look prettier and appear functional is by putting a sheet metal or cast cover over the opening. This option is also much more cost effective than removing the bricks altogether.

So, I went to one of my favorite antique stores and purchased a “Summer Cover.” I will eventually paint the cover a glossy black. Paired with the mantle and schoolhouse brick, I think it looks pretty stunning.

So thankful to be able restore this little home, even if it is taking over my life!

finished fireplace
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  1. Lisa Stid says:

    Love ittttttt!!!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

  2. Debra says:

    So beautiful! Your hard work is paying off.

  3. Melanie says:

    The beautiful wood, lovely mantle and bricks from your childhood…just perfect!♥️

  4. Dana Campbell says:

    It looks beautiful!

  5. Gena Bogard says:

    LOVE it!!! ❤️

  6. It looks amazing. The character and textures are absolutely perfect!

  7. Gaela says:

    This house is saying thank you for not giving up on me! So happy for you to have a spot of rest to pay off for all of your hard work! Just beautiful!

  8. Lisa N says:

    So perfectly done! It’s beautiful! I actually like the summer cover as is but I can understand wanting it fresh. So amazed at your hard work!

  9. Gwen Ingle says:

    Wow!! How beautiful. You have such an eye for creativity and what something can look like even through all the rubble 🤩

  10. Melanie says:

    Wow, Brittany!! The fireplace is beautiful! I know it till a lot of hard work and patience, but gosh it looks so worth it. Maybe this small victory will give you more steam to help you keep going with the rest!

  11. Laurel Welsh says:

    Looks so good!

  12. Lisa Bunch says:

    Brittany, it is BEAUTIFUL!! You have an amazing creative imagination and eye for design. I’m so glad you bought Carolina Cottage/Misery Manor. It’s been fun to watch the process. Can’t wait to see what you do next and looking forward to your build in Beaufort!

  13. Aimee J. says:

    In that last picture you can see the finish line! That angle is going to look SO GOOD in the, “After” picture with the arched entry, light streaming onto the hardwoods. Perfection!

    P.S. I’m blaming you 100% for all of my Beaufort saved properties and land on my real estate app.

  14. Autumn says:

    It’s so good!!! Love love love this!

  15. Sigrid Buchanan says:

    Wow😍. That took perseverance. I have to say I doubted you for a minute but it’s beautiful!

  16. Leah D says:

    Brittany, it looks incredible! 😍 Just like it’s been there all along!

  17. Lisa Austin says:

    I love it!

  18. Phyllis says:

    Looks so pretty can’t wait to see it totally finished

  19. Melissa says:

    AMAZING!!! It looks like it was meant to be! You are awesome, lady!!! What a gift to have your dads help also.

  20. Robin Drewes says:

    It’s beautiful !!!!!!! Great vision , great job !!!!!

  21. Michelle Evans says:

    Woweeee! Girl…that there is a total BEAUTY! ❤️❤️❤️ Nice job…so worth all that HARD WORK!!!

  22. Tuesday Knigge says:

    Absolutely stunning 😍

  23. Tiffany says:

    It looks beautiful!

  24. April says:

    Brittany I absolutely love this cute house! You have made a jewel out of a rough stone! Can’t wait to see the finished home with all the special touches no doubt you’ll add! Bravo!

  25. Karen Wyatt says:

    Such a phenomenal transformation on the fireplace. It truly looks original.
    Y’all should be so proud of all of your hard work.

  26. Linda says:

    This little cottage is turning into a stunner! Your love, dedication and hard work is shining! 🌟

  27. Val says:

    It looks amazing!!

  28. Rebecca Forty says:

    Hey gurrrl. I know I may be too late to give feedback but oh well, here goes… don’t paint the summer cover. I love the patina it has. Just clean it and wipe it down with some type of sealant. I love the fireplace!!
    Btw, just got home from 10 days at our happy place. Then back for a week on the 4th and 2 weeks on the 16th. Say you love BFT w/o saying it!! Don’t know if you’ve got the thrift shops in BFT but I have found a few treasures there myself. The shops in Hilton Head I hit the mother load. You should go there when you start decorating the cottage. I can’t wait to see it. Great job, good and faithful servant. Hugs!!

  29. Mary Kathryn says:

    It’s beautiful! This is going to be a very sweet place for your guests and a blessing, for sure. Congratulations!