Before
After
Project Overview
Replaced an existing light herringbone-style fireplace surround and hearth in a Thornblade neighborhood home (Greer, SC) with a bold red mosaic tile finish. Small-scope project with big visual impact — a clear before-and-after that proves you don't need a full living-room renovation to dramatically change the feel of the space.
The Challenge
The original fireplace surround and hearth in this Thornblade home used a light, neutral herringbone pattern that disappeared into the surrounding wall. The Bittners wanted the fireplace to actually be the focal point of the room — bold color, sharper contrast against the mantel and hardwood floors.
Our Solution
We documented the existing fireplace surround and hearth, demoed the old tile cleanly without disturbing the firebox opening, and installed a bold red mosaic tile finish on both the surround and the hearth area. The new tile creates strong visual contrast against the existing mantel and hardwood flooring and reads as the room's anchor from the moment you walk in — without touching the firebox itself or requiring any structural work.
Scope of Work
- Documented existing fireplace surround and hearth condition
- Removed existing herringbone tile from surround and hearth
- Installed new red mosaic tile around firebox opening
- Installed coordinating red mosaic tile on hearth
- Created strong visual contrast against existing mantel and hardwood flooring
- Cleaned and protected jobsite throughout small-scope build
Materials & Products
- •Red mosaic tile
- •Fireplace surround tile underlayment
- •Hearth tile mortar and grout
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a fireplace tile update really change a room?
Yes — the fireplace is usually the visual anchor of a living room, and the surround tile is what your eye lands on. Changing color and pattern there shifts the entire feel of the space. It's one of the highest-impact small-budget remodels we do.
Do you have to replace the whole fireplace?
No. For this project we kept the existing firebox and mantel and only changed the tile surround and hearth. That keeps cost and timeline minimal while delivering a dramatic before-and-after.
What other small tile projects do you do?
Kitchen backsplashes, accent walls, mudroom and laundry floors, entry tile, and hearth-only updates like this one. If you have a small high-impact tile project, we'd rather quote it than have you wait to bundle it with a bigger remodel.