I picked up the tile for our fireplace remodel earlier this week and oh my gosh guys, it’s even more gorgeous than I remembered! In case you missed seeing it on Instagram, here’s some tile eye candy for you:
It’s part of Walker Zanger’s Sterling Row collection and I seriously couldn’t love it any more than I do. Once the tiles are put together on our fireplace, it will look something like this:
I labored over the decision about whether or not to replace our fireplace tile for months but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to go for it. But now I have one more decision to make – what to do with our fireplace mantel and surround. The mantel is only about 7″ deep which really limits what you can place on it and don’t get me started on the horrible fireplace surround – could it be any more pancake-flat whimpy?!
After talking with my contractor about beefing up our existing mantel vs. building a new one, we decided to just start from scratch which is great except that (yikes!) now the options are endless. After looking at a zillion different fireplaces on Pinterest, I’ve narrowed it down to two basic styles that I’m deciding between. The first is something similar to this beautiful fireplace in the home of my friend Randi of Randi Garrett Designs:
Isn’t it beautiful?! Randi is an amazing designer and one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram (You guys would love following her too! You can find Randi on Instagram {here}).
I also love this very simple, boxed fireplace surround from the home of Melissa of The Inspired Room:
You’ll have to pop over to The Inspired Room to see what this fireplace looked like before Melissa remodeled it – what a difference!
So what do you guys think? Do you have a favorite surround? Are you as smitten with that Walker Zanger tile as I am?
Update! Our Fireplace remodel is done! Check it out {here}!!!
Have a great weekend!
That Sterling Row tile is absolutely gorgeous! I was smitten with it from the moment I saw it. I have a clients who are using it in their new home, and it is stunning. Can’t wait to see it on your fireplace!
Well I have you to thank since I fell in love with it after seeing it on your blog! Where are your clients using it? Hope you’re able to get some pics to share!
LOVE!!!!
Thanks Stacy!
Kris, I love it! I actually saw that in the tile store a couple weeks ago. Your fireplace is going to look amazing! When we remodeled ours recently, I had wanted to do a white mantel with stone or tile around the surround. Of course I compromised with my husband and did all stone so I will live vicariously through you and your gorgeous transformation! Can’t wait to see more!
Shelley
I had an all stone fireplace in our last house and really liked it (are you happy with yours?). The patterned tile on this one will be a fun change!
Kris, I love the tile you chose!! And I really like the simplicity of Randi’s fireplace surround. The tiles will make an amazing statement, so the clean lines of Randi’s fireplace will look gorgeous with those tiles. Can’t wait to see the finished product!!
That’s the way I’m leaning too Denise. I think the more simple the fireplace, the more those pretty tiles can shine!
i LOVE it! i would love to do mine with fun tile, but i love the brick, too. 🙂
We have a brick fireplace in our kitchen and I love that look too!!
Wow Kris! That tile is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see it installed!!
Thanks Denise – I can’t wait either 🙂
That tile is amazing! I was always one of those people who are all, tile is tile. But that is a showstopper!
Thanks Katie – I’m hoping it will make a huge impact in our living room!
Kris, The tile is amazing and it will be beautiful on your fireplace!
Thanks Sherry!
Hi Kris! Thank you so much for your towel inspiration! I love the tiles, I haven’t seen them!! thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Leslie! I need to hop over and check out your towel recs!!
Whoa! That tile is GORGEOUS, I cannot wait to see it installed! Have a good weekend!
Thanks Jessica! Hope you enjoyed your weekend!!
Kris,
I love your website! You have such wonderful style! Thank you so much for including me in your post. I cant wait to see how your fireplace turns out! Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks so much for letting me share your gorgeous fireplace! It (and the rest of your room) are just gorgeous!
I like the tile and I think it will look great on your fireplace. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Gabriela – glad you like it too!!
The tile is very beautiful. Be sure and use plenty of white in your mantle surround to compensate for the boldness of the tile. By doing that, I think you will then accomplish what you have set out to do. A beautiful transformation is what you will then achieve!
Great point Deborah – thanks!
Love the tile and great idea to start over! Its going to look great!
I hope so (fingers crossed)!!
TO be honest, I can even make those tile into wall art all on it;s own! GORGEOUS! Can’t wait!
I know right? I’m already scheming about what I can do with any leftover tile I might have!
Love the tile!! I like the proportions of the first mantle
Thanks Cindy – I appreciate your input so much!
Kris I can’t wait to see this fireplace makeover come to life! How exciting!!! The tile is gorgeous and is going to be showstopper!
Thanks Lisa – I’m really excited about getting this much overdue project knocked out!
Kris, I think the first mantle appeals to me more because your tile is unbelievable, and I think it merits more grandeur than a simple surround. I’m sure whatever you pick will be awesome.
Thanks so much for your input – I agree (no surprise, design twin!) 🙂
That tile is simply magnificent and I love your ideas for the new surround. It will look fantastic once you are finished.
I hope you are enjoying every inch of summer.
Thanks so much! We’ve had a great summer – hope you have too!!
I LOVE that tile!!!! I can’t wait to see that fireplace makeover.