Fireplace Refresh

Problem

This house had an old cast iron Black Bart fireplace insert that, when functional, plugged into an electrical outlet and used an engine to blow warm air into the living area. The engine was blown and the fireplace was not functional.

Design

Less is more. We removed the insert entirely, setting it aside to be repurposed for a future outdoor project, and kept things simple. Less is more.

Before

Very cool, but outdated, and more importantly, broken. The insert will likely end up stripped of its electrical components and repurposed in an outdoor build, or perhaps a cabin. TBD.

After

The fireplace is now fully operational, bringing one of the elements indoors. Perfect for a winter night in Charleston where the cold can sneak up on you and sink into your bones. Nothing adds more to a space than a nice cozy fire.

Details

The mortar in the firebox was failing in some places. So we removed all mortar with an angle grinder and repointed with refractory cement, a specialized, high-heat resistant material designed for constructing or repairing fireplaces, stoves, and kilns, capable of withstanding temperatures from 2,200°F to over 3,000°F.

As a finishing touch, we repainted the mantel a semi-gloss Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore, which complements the Dove White walls.