New fire place transforms the heart of the home.

Claire Hargreaves
Nov 22
2 min read

🔥 Fireplace Transformation by HGSpaces — From Bare Wall to Rustic Centrepiece

At HGSpaces, we believe a fireplace should be more than a source of heat—it should be the heart of a room, tying together style, warmth, and character. This recent project showcases how we transformed a plain chimney breast into a striking feature piece with rustic charm and timeless craftsmanship.

Step 1: Opening the Fireplace

We began by opening the fireplace back up to its original proportions, exposing the brickwork and preparing the space for a stove installation. The goal was to create a traditional-style inglenook that felt authentic and structurally solid.

Step 2: Fresh Plastered Walls

With the brickwork exposed, the surrounding chimney breast and adjoining walls were fully re-plastered. This created a smooth, flawless finish ready for paint and instantly brightened up the room.

Clean lines, fresh plaster, and a blank canvas ready for design.

Step 3: Laying the Stone Hearth

A natural stone hearth was installed across the fireplace and extended onto the carpet line, providing a durable and heat-safe base. The textured stone adds organic warmth and pairs beautifully with the exposed brickwork.

Step 4: Brick Slips for a Heritage Look

To bring character to the chimney breast, we applied rustic red brick slips to frame the opening, creating the look of traditional full brickwork without the bulk. Each slip was pointed by hand to achieve a natural, slightly weathered finish.

This added instant depth, texture, and a cottage-style aesthetic while remaining clean and modern.

Step 5: The Finishing Touch — Solid Oak Mantelpiece

To complete the look, we installed a handcrafted solid oak beam mantel. The natural grain, lightly finished surface, and chunky profile give the fireplace a true heritage appearance. It provides both warmth and contrast against the brickwork and plastered walls.

The Final Result

The finished fireplace is now a standout feature in the home—combining traditional materials, craftsman detailing, and a cosy functional space perfect for a stove. The oak mantel, brick slips, and stone hearth work together harmoniously, creating a timeless, inviting focal point that elevates the entire room.