Fireplace Facelift, The fireplace was covered in solid oak planks. Not the look I wanted.  Finally, after years of more pressing renovations, we tried our hand at improving it.  Filled in the planks/ sanded/painted.  Added decorative woodwork.  Made a new mantel and tore out the red clay hearth and put in black granite.   I think it turned out great., I hated everything about this fireplace.  The oak planks and the ugly boxed mantel and the red clay tile hearth.   , Other Spaces Design