Ideas for a Cultured Fireplace Surround

Chimney

• Create the look of a cobbled stone chimney stretching up to the ceiling. Taper the chimney so it narrows gradually above the fireplace and then stretches upward in a column. Although your chimney lies hidden behind the wall, the stone veneer will make people think otherwise. This look gives your home a rustic feel, and works especially well in a room with a high ceiling, drawing attention to the fireplace.

Marble

• For a sleeker look that exudes opulence, choose a cultured marble surround. Flat panels of cultured marble border the fireplace on all sides, with cultured marble stone as the hearth. A mantel made of the same material lets you display artwork or photos. Meanwhile, the space above remains free for a large painting, enhancing the luxurious feel of the marble surround.

Arches

• Instead of a square shape, use an arch for the top of the fireplace. Use rectangular or oval cultured stones to create a border lining the arch that juts out from the wall to add definition. For a more ornate look, create two or three stepped arches, with the highest sitting against the stone veneer of the wall. Roughly rectangular or square stones made for creating arches work best for this design, since three layers of rough stones would look jumbled.

Deep Recesses

• This rustic fireplace design features a deep-set fireplace with a raised hearth on each side that extends outward two or three feet. The thick walls of the stone fireplace, featuring sturdy looking blocks of stone, rest on the hearth. Above the fireplace, a large square recess in the stone creates a space for placing a piece of pottery or a plant. This feature gives life to the space, in comparison to a flat stone wall. Of course, the entire structure need not be made of cultured stone. The stone simply provides a veneer for the brick or other material used to build the bulk of the fireplace.