A fireplace can enhance the style of any home. Once something that every home had for heating and cooking purposes, is now simply a luxury item that offers character and adds a sense of home to any room.

Fireplaces Through the Decades

Unfortunately, many older homes that sport a welcoming hearth are now dealing with the fact that their fireplaces are an outdated eyesore. Fireplaces have seen many trends over the years. In the ’60s, an off-centered hearth would often sport a lopsided, awkward empty space of stone or brick. In the ’70s, the use of the home’s dark exterior bricks or giant stone, installed floor to ceiling, was once popular. While the ’80s and ’90s sported gaudy, glossy overdone mantels and cheap-looking tile.

Natural stone is best

We have come a long way in home style trends. Most homeowners now understand that classic is never out of style. They have turned to their fireplaces in hopes of swapping trendy for tried and true finishes. Most fireplaces are being given new life with natural materials and clean lines. One of the more popular materials to work with on fireplaces is limestone.

Limestone comes in a variety of colors. Luckily, modern-day technology has allowed for limestone to be thin cut and placed on easy to install, lightweight sheets allowing for fireplaces to be easily covered with a new face. The type and style of the veneer vary as well, depending on the style preferences of the homeowner. So the options are endless.

For an ultra-sleek look to a fireplace, another great option is to use polished stone like granite or marble. Paired with a nice mantle or flanked with built-ins a polished stone fireplace will offer durability and high-end style to any space.

The best time for remodeling your fireplace is now!

Many professionals recommend that if you are considering a fireplace makeover, to complete the project during the spring or summer. It is also worth having someone inspect and clean your chimney after your makeover to ensure the fireplace is safe to use for the upcoming winter months.

Feeling Inspired?

For more inspiration on how to use limestone, granite, or marble on your fireplace, check out our website at RocktopsKC.com, or come into our showroom and get inspired. Rocktops creates granite, marble, limestone for kitchens, bathroom, patios, and fireplaces. We are your Kansas City stone resource for fireplaces! Contact us at 913-782-0802 or email at

in**@ro********.com