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A brick fireplace with floating hearth and a feature wall using acoustic panels for a 70s-era coastal home's living room.
The project
We bought this old 70s coastal house with the challenge to turn it in to something very modern, fresh and open plan. Since the living room is one space we spend a lot of time in, then that was one of the first projects. But because of the extent of what was required, it was done in stages as some changes impacted neighbouring spaces. I started with an idea in my head which I probably saw on the internet and for me thats where the plans remain - they get worked on during sleepless nights thinking of how to best handle what was needed with each step. Often my designs are moving targets as I come up with new ideas along the way.
So, here is how this one went...
Steps
Step 1
Tape up and seal the demolition work area top and bottom with drop sheets.
Step 2
Remove the bricks from the original solid hearth using the SDS hammer drill on stop-rotation mode as well as hand chisels and a sledge hammer. The cross-strike pointed end of the Kango one is excellent for efficiency and reduced the vibration through my body compared to the standard flat-faced ones. Full body PPE is a must during this process.
I then spent another day just in the clean up.
Step 3
I used a combination of concrete nails and the heavy duty masonry adhesive to fix tile underlay to the brick wall, taking the opportunity to change the shape of both the fireplace and log store space to a more modern rectangular look.
Step 4
The hearth frame was made by packing together several layers of 90mm x 45mm pine with both liquid nails and bugle screws using the impact driver. I used blocks to hold the hearth frame in place while I drilled 20mm holes through, scoring the bricks behind. This marked the spot for the 20mm masonry holes. Using the landscaping adhesive in both the holes and on the rear of the frame, it was held back into position.
I then drove in the 19mm steep tubing which was cut to 440mm lengths with the angle grinder. The frame was then covered in tile underlay fixed with the cement sheet nails and left for several days for the adhesives to fully cure.
Step 5
I then started with the wall tiles and fixed them with a heavy duty adhesive. I also had to use the SDS hammer drill in chisel mode to square of some of the insides of the fireplace internals, ready for the steel plate inserts and the new custom facia with ash drawer, that a very clever metal engineer mate of mine made up.
Step 6
With stage one completed, it was time for stage two, which was to demolish the angled left hand wall and build a new straight one.
The space behind was originally the main entrance but at the back of the house. Any wonder I could never find my deliveries! The new main 'front' entrance was another project. The old entrance became a WIR for the bedroom that never had any storage, so two issues were resolved.
Step 7
Here's where my designs on the fly come in to effect, because now I thought the wall was going to need some bling. So, I decided to extend the floating hearth, which would have been a lot easier if I hadn't completed that end of the tiling!
Step 8
After painting the wall black, I used 38mm x 19mm Pine to make a decorative feature wall. But this was before Bunnings brought out this product which would have been far cheaper and a job done in about one hour! Pre-made acoustic panelling in three finishes, how good is that?
Now I'm looking for projects where I can use it. Check out my project Alfresco feature ceiling panelling.
I love feature lighting so I took the opportunity to install LED strip lighting that was under the hearth which you can see in the second photo.
Step 9
There is some fast forwarding in this photo as the floor has been done, but this was well after other walls in the living room were reconfigured and windows and doors changed over. Yep, another project!
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
- Pine 90mm x 45mm
- Tile underlay sheets
- Tile sheeting nails
- Structural steel tubing 19mm
- Heavy duty landscaping adhesive
- Batten screws 75mm and 100mm
- Wall tiles
- Floor tiles
- Extra strength wall tile adhesive
- Flat head concrete nails
- Disposable heavy duty painters drop sheets
- Canvas painters drop sheet
- Masking tape.
Tools used in the project:
- Heavy duty hammer drill
- Pneumatic hammer drill
- Chisels
- Mitre saw
- Angle grinder
- Impact driver
- Diamond wheel
- Metal cutting discs
- Workshop vacuum
- Levels
- Masonry chisel
- Mash hammer
- Sledge hammer
- Claw hammer
- Tape measure
- Ink markers
- Pencil
- PPE: Hearing, eyes, face, gloves, breathing and steel capped boots.
More inspiration for your fireplace project
Creative community member Leanne built a fireplace and feature wall.
Bunnings Workshop member stargirl5196 transformed bookcases into a built-in fireplace.
Note from the Bunnings team: Please remember It is essential that your wood fired heater is installed by a qualified professional and that all installation guidelines provided by the manufacturer are followed. This includes maintaining proper clearance to combustible materials, adhering to installation distance requirements, and meeting the necessary hearth specifications.
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