Twenty Stunning Stone Fireplace Concepts, Spanning Rustic to Sophisticated
Twenty Stunning Stone Fireplace Concepts, Spanning Rustic to Sophisticated
Enhance the coziness and visual appeal of your living room with a stone fireplace. From majestic marble fireplaces boasting elaborate veining to timeworn stacked stone reminiscent of centuries past, stone offers a wide array of choices. For inspiration spanning various styles and budgets, check out these stunning ideas curated by interior designers.
01of 21## Double the Height
Design by Eric J. Smith Architect, this fireplace exudes dramatic impact with its double height dimension. The hearth, constructed from aged fieldstone, appears to have been gathered piece by piece over time, providing an ideal backdrop for family gatherings.
02of 21## Mirror Nature
Incorporate stone as a means to connect with the natural world. This stone fireplace, envisioned by Lichten Architects, borrows from materials native to the Catskills, where the home is situated.
03of 21## Utilize Marble
For a dynamic, art-like stone option, consider marble. According to Lucinda Loya, owner of Lucinda Loya Interiors, marble, with its organic patterns and myriad hues, acts as a captivating work of art. She employed a custom-designed, polished Calacatta corchia mantel featuring mitered edges and pencil trim in this setting.
04of 21## Envelop a Fireplace in Stone
Transform a modest fireplace with stone, even if your budget is limited. In this living room, White Cliff Studio encased a fireplace in a generous stone slab to elevate its presence and impact.
05of 21## Opt for a Chilled Slate
Although fireplaces are typically associated with warmth, this slate fireplace from Armina Interiors offers a cool, gray contrast to the notion. It harmonizes with the neutral color palette and incorporates a textured, organic element that complements the scenery just beyond the windows.
06of 21## Employ Contrasting Grout
Grout can serve as an additional design element, particularly when you choose grout that contrasts boldly with the stone's color. To keep the overall aesthetic consistent, maintain a unified warm or cool palette, such as in this room adorned with ivory grout and warm taupe stone from Carta Creatives.
07of 21## Whitash the Stone
Whitashed brick is a popular choice, but you can reinterpret this look with stone by giving it a faded appearance. "We spotted an opportunity to revamp the appearance of a river rock fireplace with a light whitash finish on the stone. The refreshed design brightened the room and evoked a relaxed 'lake life' ambiance," shares Bridget Giroux, founder and creative director of Bridget Giroux Design.
08of 21## Reach for the Ceiling
This monumental fireplace ascends all the way to the ceiling, imparting a luxurious, yet rustic character. Brad Ramsey Interiors included a spot for frieze and a mantel for displaying treasured objects, demonstrating how you can tailor the footprint to perfectly match your space.
09of 21## Arrange Stones in a Pattern
Stone need not appear solely organic. This fireplace from Norman Davenport Askins, Architects features hand-selected stones arranged in a deliberate, sunburst pattern surrounding the hearth and mantel. The result is a striking fireplace that resonates with the mountains in its vicinity.
10of 21## Infuse Warmth into a Light Space
If your living room is bright and airy, a warm stone can bring a welcome sense of comfort and balance. "A warm stone wall references the exterior architecture and gives a light space substance, while an almost brutalist surround prevents the space from appearing excessively petite," says Christian Daw, interior design ambassador for POLYWOOD and the owner of Christian Daw Design.
11of 21## Counterbalance Stone's Weight
Stone can occasionally feel heavy and oppressive, so ensure it is balanced throughout the space by pairing it with imposing furniture and accessories. "When decorating a stone fireplace, I always consider the spatial weight of the decor and match the vibe," shares Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors. "Ensure that the scale of your pieces harmonize."
12of 21## Select a Timeless Stone
This stone fireplace from Norman Davenport Askins, Architects embodies the classic, rustic cottage fireplace that one might expect in a woodland home. It exudes both charm and warmth, giving any space a cozy, inviting feel.
13of 21## Opt for a Vintage Drama
Stone can deliver grandeur, particularly when it blends deep, dark marble with intricate stone carvings. "We were captivated by a marble Chesneys mantel and paired it with a rich Farrow and Ball paint color, imported Italian marble, and the cherry on top—a unique, 1860s lion fender," explains Laura Fox, owner and principal of Laura Fox Interior Design.
14of 21## Apply a Mortar Coat to Stone
A stone fireplace can reveal the stone—or conceal it. Shelby Van Daley, founder and principal designer of Daley Home, recommends utilizing stone as a textural backdrop rather than the central focus. "We appreciate the soft, creamy texture of a light limestone with a heavy mortar coating, which is a versatile option for both indoor and outdoor fireplaces," suggests Van Daley.
15of 21## Embellish a Stone Fireplace with Heavy Grout
Grout can serve as a decorative element, even when it matches the stone's tone in a monochromatic scheme. As Laura Williams, founder and head of ATX Interior Design, puts it, "I enjoy excessively grouting the stones, giving them an aged, European cottage vibe that has been standing for centuries."
If you're looking for a budget-friendly stone fireplace look, Ashley Macuga, principal designer at Collected Interiors, suggests using cast stone. Macuga explains, "Cast stone fireplaces mimic the feel and appearance of natural stone, enabling more detailed and personalized designs. They're available in a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Parisian chic to contemporary modern."
Paula Dixon, owner of Paula Dixon Design, suggests using limestone to add a subtle texture and warmth. "This limestone fireplace surround serves as a textured focal point, with Venetian plaster on top to reflect light like the ocean," says Dixon.
A large stone fireplace, such as this one from Brad Ramsey Interiors, can achieve a powerful yet light appearance with a whitewash paint finish that brightens the entire space.
If your living room has a high ceiling, Cathleen Gruver, lead interior designer at Gruver Cooley Interiors, recommends incorporating stone as an accent above the fireplace. Gruver demonstrates how pairing stone with millwork creates a harmonious bridge between the exterior landscape and interior design.
Ellen Hatton, principal at BVA BarnesVanze Architects, suggests selecting a stone fireplace mantel with strong, dynamic veining and movement. According to Hatton, in this renovation project, "the use of a mix of traditional, modern, and 'retro' finishes brought life to a 1920s colonial home. The arabescato corchia mantel added both beauty and graphic impact to the existing fireplace."
Finally, Norman Davenport Askins, Architects, drew inspiration from the classic Tudor style of this home when designing this simple, yet captivating, stone fireplace. The stonework appears rustic and charming, with a handmade touch.
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- Martha Stewart showcased a cozy living room with a stone fireplace, adding Home Decor elements such as throw pillows and vintage ornaments to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
- To incorporate Home Design Decor that resonates with Martha Stewart's style, consider using natural materials like wood and stone in combination with geometric patterns and rich colors for a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.