Fireplace Surrounds

A very simple way to dress up your family room is to enhance the fireplace.  Well you might respond to that statement with, “I have a very simple off the shelf home improvement store mantel, and I would like to upgrade and add built-in bookshelves.” or “I don’t have a fireplace, and I would like to add one.”  Both of those statements can be done! 

First, if you don’t have a fireplace, adding one will require a some demo work.  There are many options that I will touch base on for you here in this paragraph.   Picking an exterior wall for venting is important.  Do you want gas, wood burning insert, or a stove?  Installation on your new fireplace all depends on the type you choose to add to you home.  For more information on choosing a fireplace, speak with your local heating and cooling expect as well as your carpenter who will be installing your fireplace, mantel, and any built-in shelves or bookcases.  If you live in the Michigan area, BR Wood Design would be happy to assist you. 

Now, moving on to upgrading your existing fireplace surround and mantel.  There is no set way to build the space around a fireplace. 
Picking a style that fits your house and taste is important.  There are so many different styles of fireplace surrounds.  You may want a very ornate decorative double mantel with huge columns or very sleek modern look with simple clean lines.  A fireplace surround can really do so much to change the style of your entire home.  You walk in the room and it becomes a focal piece, an attention getter.  Make pleasing to the eye by showing it off with “new look”.   Fireplace remodel jobs, when done properly, don’t have a huge mess.  Remodel means updating or face lift, not necessarily “pull your hair out” mess. You as the homeowner may not have an exact design in your head but have an idea of what you would like the room to look like or you may see one in a catalog you just love and want to duplicate it.  Sit down with your local custom millworker or cabinet maker (Just about any custom furniture maker, cabinet maker, or millworker builds custom fireplace surrounds.) and plan out your dream design. 

The fun part about  a custom fireplace surround remodel job is that you get to pick every detail.  You get involved in choosing if you want bookshelves, the how many shelves on your book shelves, do you want drawers to store DVD’s or cabinets to hide games or toys,  do you want a simple or ornate mantel, what textures (brick, granite, slate, travertine, stone, etc…) hearth material used, the possibilities are endless.  Maybe you wa

nt your plasma or LCD Flat screen TV mounted above you fireplace that can be built in as an integral part of the whole design.

Now remember, don’t let the words “custom fireplace surround” scare you. Custom doesn’t mean expensive, just  personalized for you needs!  If you live in mid to southern eastern Michigan, give BR Wood Design a call or email.  We will love to meet with you about your next fireplace surround job.  All of our estimates are free.  If you don’t live in the area, seek out a local cabinet maker or millworker.  If you have any questions and don’t like in the area, feel free to call or email.  

BR Wood Design servicing so
utheastern Michigan in Oakland, Genesee, Macomb, Wayne, Lapeer, Livington, Washtenaw or St Clair County.