Some call it a non-working fireplace, I call it a ‘hole in the wall’. The place where there was at one time a fireplace and at some point in time, someone (tragically) decided to rip it out, plaster it up and call it good. I’ve seen quite a lot of them in my time and it’s the second one we’ve had to address. You might remember that in our old house, there was one in the dining room (in fact, there was one in our old living room too) and we brought it back to life with some tiles and paint. Moving into this house, we’ve found ourselves repeating the previous formula.

Fireplace Before

What the ‘hole in the wall’ in our dining room looked like when we first moved in…

As I’ve mentioned in this post, before we began what’s been a 6-month renovation project of this space and the adjoining kitchen, we really wanted to reinstate the fireplace and incorporate a wood-burning stove. As costs began to escalate for the project (as they seem prone to do), we realised after getting a few quotes and pulling together costs, it was going to come in around £3k to do it. Ouch. To be honest, it wasn’t something we definitely required and we knew the dining table would actually be sat fairly close by so perhaps it wasn’t the best use of funds. So I left it for a while, figuring I’ll come up with a plan in time.

Fireplace During Renovation

What it looked like during the renovation process (this was when we were removing the lining paper before skimming the wall – that was a fun job…)

Now Wayne wanted to just lay the flooring right into the gap and leave it as it was but of course, I wanted to do something a little more decorative. I knew we didn’t have a huge budget to spend on this little project but I was also well aware that if we didn’t address it while the work was going on, it would be one of those things we just never got around to doing (much like the ‘hole in the wall’ in our old living room). So it was a matter of ‘now or never’. Nothing like a bit of pressure for fast decision-making, eh?

I managed to convince Wayne that we could fit in this DIY in between the flooring going down and the new kitchen units going in and thankfully, he grudgingly agreed to let me add another job to our list of things to do. By the time we laid the flooring (you can see how we did that here), I had already purchased everything we needed for the job.

Considering I’m using pink as an accent colour in this space (well, it’s all over my house to be fair!), I figured I’d tie this into the space with the use of pink tiles. I’ve been desperate to use zellige tiles somewhere and while we were using quartz for the kitchen backsplash, I figured this was my opportunity to have a bit of tile action! I was on a pretty tight schedule but I managed to source some beautiful pink zellige tiles from Walls & Floors and I figured it was easier to just order all my supplies at the same time, including brass trim and corners, grout and adhesive. (As an aside, this isn’t in any way an ad or sponsored – I paid for everything myself.)

Fireplace Makeover Steps

Here’s how the process played out – although this isn’t a DIY tutorial, I figured you might like to see how it all came together! First we laid hardboard and covered it with PVA. Then a layer of adhesive went on and I laid the bottom tiles. Next came the wall tiles (I used the dot-and-dab method for these), installing the brass trim at the edges and top and finally, the grouting!

I would like to say (quite proudly) that I did probably 75% of the work on this one! I know Wayne gets a lot of the credit for the DIY around here but I’m not too bad with tiling. He did make all the really small cuts for me but I did the majority of the graft and I’m pretty happy with how this one came out!

Now, I had searched high and low for a reasonably priced fire surround/mantle and while I would have loved to have found a gorgeous Victorian number (in marble – hey a girl can dream!), I was struggling with finding the exact size I needed. It’s a rather narrow hearth we have in here and I didn’t have the time or budget to go custom-made. After weeks of searching, I finally came across a fireplace mantle from B&Q of all places that would be near enough the perfect fit and wasn’t extortionate in price either. I ordered it and put it together myself!

Fireplace After

Apologies that the room is clearly not finished! Plug sockets need to be installed, the skirting board on the left needs filling and painting and of course, I’ve just styled it a bit so you can see the finished result!

Non-working fireplace makeover with pink tiles

I couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s turned out – it’s just so damn pretty! While I still haven’t decided how I’m going to fill it (candles? plants? an ethanol fire like we had before?), it’s a marked improvement from the ‘hole in the wall’ that was there before. I may, at some point, paint it out the same colour as the walls similar to what I did in our living room but I think I’ll live with it like this for a bit before making any changes.

**Update! Here’s the finished result…

pink tile fireplace in dining room with ornate brass mirror

SEE THE ENTIRE REVEAL HERE ** 

We are so close to finishing these spaces as yesterday, the worktops were installed, we have the electrician coming to finish off the electrics and put the lighting all in place. I’m hoping we can also get the plumber around to hook up the dishwasher, sink and cooker too. Once those jobs are done, then we have the kitchen installer back one last time for the final fittings! All that will be left to do after that is for me to have fun styling the space and picking up any last minute items and our renovation is complete! Eeek! Who’s excited?


Pin It on Pinterest

Swoon Worthy
Fireplace Before
Fireplace During Renovation
Fireplace Makeover Steps
Fireplace After
Non-working fireplace makeover with pink tiles
pink tile fireplace in dining room with ornate brass mirror
Meet Kimberly
undefined
undefined
undefined
Amara IBA19 Winner Home Styling
Vuelio Top 10 2020
undefined
Ad (Press Sample) There are few kitchen products that are considered absolute classics but there is one that I have lusted after for YEARS and that is the utterly iconic @lecreusetuk large casserole pot. 🤩

For nearly a century, Le Creuset has been trusted for its superior performance, lasting quality and iconic design and the enamelled cast iron allows incredible versatility - not only can you use it with just about any heat source (from induction, glass, electric etc), you can also do everything from stir-fry to slow cooking to baking a cake in it and more. 

So, imagine my delight when Le Creuset got in touch to ask if I'd like to shoot their brand new colourway 🍑 Pêche 🍑 in my kitchen. I mean, there couldn't be a more perfect colour match with that juicy coral shade which if you've followed my account for any length of time, you'll know is one of my all-time favourites (not to mention that beautiful soft gold knob! 😍). The matching petite casserole dish and mugs are the perfect companions but you could easily mix and match this colourway with Le Creuset's other designs (Might I suggest the Sea Salt, a soft blue-green which would be gorgeous with Pêche). This new juicy summer shade is currently available exclusively at Le Creuset Official. I'd love to know which colourway is your favourite in the range?

#lecreuset #kitchendesign #kitchenstyling #kitchinspo #victorianhome #englishhome
My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up 🥰

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares 😅

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!🎄💕

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me 🤗😅)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❤️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband 🥰 We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❤️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS 🎄🎉

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

#swoonworthy #diychristmas #christmasdecor #christmascraft #easysewingproject #sustainableliving #ecofriendlyliving
Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room 🪴

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a 🔥 under my 🍑 and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week 😅 (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma 😆

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❤️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
🔥JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! 🔥

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs 🪵 for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! 🥰🍻🔥

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection 😄

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share 🥰

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites ♥️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ 🦩🍹😄

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday 😅🩷

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off 🙃🙃🙃 (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here 🥰 I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change ♥️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! 😅

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo 😄💕

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes 🥰

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! 😉🍋

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous 🥰

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
Are you lucky enough to be owned by a cat? 🐈🐾

#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies 😂🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together 🥰

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? 🤔

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen 🥰

Let me know if you like the new addition ❤️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling
Oh hey living room, nice to have you back ☺️

I always feel very ready to remove the excess of Christmas decor pretty much as soon as the 26th arrives but I've been later than usual this Twixmas as we've both been unwell the last couple weeks 🤦🏽‍♀️ Nevertheless, I've managed to get things packed away and I styled this little faux arrangement today for my coffee table so ya know, small victories 😄🙌🏽

#livingroom #livingroominspo #fauxflowers #coffeetabledecor