My aunt has this 40 + year old fireplace that we wanted to update since it is the room that is right off of the kitchen. I debated if we should paint it black, white, but I just love the stone so much and painting it felt like it would be too stark. I wanted to freshen up the fireplace but keep the natural warmth of the stone.
I found this image below on Pinterest, and fell in love with the style of German schemer and thought I would give it a try!
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2021-02-11-at-10.18.08-PM.png)
Before:
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_3995-scaled.jpeg)
Materials Needed:
- drill & drill mixing attachment
- sponge
- rubber gloves
- 1 bag of Mortar
- steel putty knife
- bucket/water
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4001-scaled.jpeg)
Step 1:
Cover the surrounding floor and any parts you wouldn’t want to get messy (because it does drip or slop sometimes if you’re not careful). I just used plastic garbage bags and a tarp.
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4183-1.jpeg)
Step 2:
Start off by mixing the mortar and water together. The hardest part is getting the consistency. I ended up having it too runny so had to had a little more mortar until it was the consistency of peanut butter.
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4180.jpeg)
Step 3:
Use steel knife scrapper to apply the mortar on the grout. Just start smearing in sections. Before it drys take a wet sponge and wipe it so it drys smoothly (make sure to have gloves on).
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4182-1.jpeg)
Repeat this process until you make your way across the whole surface you want covered.
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4025-768x1024.jpeg)
Here it is all done! I am so please with how it turned out! ( I also shared a video process on my IG page under story highlights)
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4191-scaled.jpg)
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4336-scaled.jpg)
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4337-scaled.jpg)
![](https://crystalanninteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4687-1024x870.jpg)