Mid-Winter Warm Up... FIREPLACE FACELIFT

i've heard a line from an old song a lot lately ... "The weather outside is frightful." What can we do to make the indoors more delightful? A crackling fire in the fireplace, of course. Not only do we enjoy the physical warmth generated by the flame, but we also reap the benefit of the ambiance it creates.

For centuries fireplaces have served as the centerpieces of homes. Fireplaces bring a luxurious feel to a home and certainly increase the value. It's not a surprise then, that one of the most sought-after features a homebuyer is looking for is a fireplace. So if you want to increase your own enjoyment of your fireplace or increase the resale value of your home, let's look at a few fireplace updates that would accomplish both.

Don't worry about whether the fireplace is wood burning or gas. Both are desirable. Some people prefer the crackling, unpredictable flames of the wood-burning style, while oth- ers lean toward having a gas-fueled fire with no cleanup involved. Either way, the first priority should be that the system is in full working order and maintenance has been ongoing.

Paint

Almost anyone can achieve a big change to the fireplace update by painting. The investment is minimal (paint and brush) and the skill necessary is within reach. Painting the mantle and/or the brick can transform a dark and dated fascia to bright and beautiful. Use indoor enamel paint that withstands high heat when painting the bricks.

TILE, WOOD, and WALLPAPER

Wanting a more striking update? The possibilities are endless with the wide array of decorative tiles and textural wallpapers. Applying decorative tile, reclaimed wood, or wallpaper to the hearth or surround means bumping up the investment as well as the skill level. This may be the time to reach out to a professional installer to ensure perfection.

time for a REAL FACELIFT

There are instances when a complete overhaul is called for. Starting with a clean slate allows for uninhibited styling. Once the golden oak mantle and surround were removed, it was time for the professionals to come and reconfigure the wall, add a new, sleek fireplace, and apply new tiles and textured wallpaper. The results are dramatic and the room is almost unrecognizable.

The next time you're feeling a chill and long to curl up in front of an aesthetically pleasing fireplace, remember that your update options are abundant. Let your imagination guide you, and let the flames keep you warm.

Mary Lystad

As one of the five co-owners of designingwomen2, Mary and her partners have been working with home and business owners to create spaces that are always more than they expected. Go to designingwomen2.com to see more projects created by the team.