A fireplace is THE focal point of the room it’s in. The typical update is to paint it, and though that’s an easy improvement, I wanted something bolder and more modern, something that would transform the look and feel of the room. I decided to cover the old brick with oversize tiles. I also removed the hearth for a more streamlined look. I’d never done a project quite like this, but it all came together without major snags. And the results are even better than I’d imagined.
WHAT IT TAKES
TIME
A few days
COST
$600–$1,200
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
TOOLS
Brick set chisel, 3-lb. maul, 5-gallon buckets, chalk line, drill, 3/4-in. round-notch trowel, margin trowel, rail tile saw (rental), angle grinder, oscillating multitool
MEET THE BUILDER
Mike Berner, an associate…