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Hi all! First post so go easy on me.
Have purchased our first home and want to look at options for the existing fireplace.
it looks to have a few stones missing so just trying to understand what options we have in terms of restoration.
With a young family I am looking at purchasing an electric fireplace insert but I’d like to see what options I have with the stone and the flooring below (they have some carpet affixed to what might be stone/concrete).
I’m a handyman in training so treat it as if I am a complete newbie (which I am!)
Hello @owenhlewis
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your fireplace.
Congratulations on your first home—and welcome to the wonderful (and sometimes dusty) world of DIY! Fireplaces really add character to a space, and it’s fantastic that you're thinking about restoring yours in a safe and family-friendly way.
Let’s break it down in a beginner-friendly way so you feel confident tackling the project. First, take a good look at the stone surround. Check whether the existing stones are firmly attached or if some feel loose or sound hollow when tapped, as these might need reattaching too. For restoration, start by gently cleaning the stone with a soft brush or a vacuum to remove any dust or loose debris. If there are missing stones, you can try to find similar ones at Bunnings. To reattach the stones, Bunnings stocks premixed mortar and adhesives suitable for this kind of work products like Davco SMP Evo or Selleys Liquid Nails Landscape are great options.
Please keep in mind that this is on the condition that the fireplace will no longer be used, otherwise you'll need to use heat rated mortar or adhesive to attach the stones back onto the fireplace.
Make sure that the stones are clean and free of dust before applying the adhesive. If the joints between stones are cracked or missing, you can repoint them using fresh mortar, either with a trowel or a caulking gun. And if the whole stone surround feels dated or patchy, you could consider rendering over it or cladding it with a more modern stone veneer down the track.
Now, about the hearth—the floor area in front of or beneath the fireplace. Since you mentioned there’s carpet glued down, start by slowly peeling it back to see what’s underneath. The carpet needs to come off as it is a fire hazard. You might find stone, concrete, or tiles. To clean up any glue residue, a heat gun and scraper or a gentle adhesive remover can work wonders—just test a small section first. If what’s underneath is stone or concrete and still in good condition, you could simply clean it and apply a clear concrete sealer. Bondall’s Natural Look Sealer is a good option and beginner-friendly. If it’s a bit rough or damaged, you might want to lay new tiles or stone over the area. Choose materials that are safe for hearths—porcelain and natural stone are great—and Bunnings sells DIY tiling kits, along with pre-mixed adhesive and grout to make it easy.
As for installing an electric fireplace insert, it’s a great choice for families with young kids—no flames, no ash, just warmth and a cozy vibe. Start by measuring the width, height, and depth of the existing fireplace opening. Also check whether there’s a nearby power point or if you'll need to discreetly run an extension cord. You can go for a proper insert that sits snugly in the opening, or a freestanding unit that simply sits in front of it. Bunnings carries brands like Dimplex and Euromatic, which offer realistic flame effects and built-in heaters.
Please make sure to follow the installation guidelines of the electric fan heater before you position it in place.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Evening @owenhlewis
LOVE that fireplace! 
and love the idea to restore it. I didnt know Bunnings had stones and was thinking of where to sorce some so crossing fingers the stones match (brick places, paving places may have stones as well) @EricL has nailed it in the how to reattach the stones. I have used a cold chisel IRWIN 3 Piece Cold Chisel Set (there are also some with rubber hand protectors that really help out in stopping that pain from mi**bleep**s)
Id get a few stones and have a look at their shapes and fault lines on them, place a cold chisel on the suspected fault line and hit it with a hammer (pound hammer = baby sledge hammer) It will take a few goes but when you manage to "crack" it on the fault you will cheer. Or you could find a stone or stones that fit the place That would be much easier.
As to that carpet and "maybe concrete" It really looks like a piece of concrete sheeting, I am hoping that once you remove the carpet off the top of it you will find some screws that are holding in place in front of the fireplace. Whichever way I think you will have to remove the carpet to see what is underneath it. The carpet may be held down with liquid nails so that cold chisel set may come in handy, bring the cold chisel in at a low angle and then tap with a hammer this time to shear off the liqid nails/carpet. (I wouldnt go for breaking up the concrete sheet in the first place, Id leave it for a last option.
Dave
Hello @owenhlewis
White washing the stones will make it blend in with the wall colour. If that is your design preference it is definitely possible. I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to white wash red brick paving? by @MaggieJ. My teammate gives a very good explanation of white washing. I think the stones look great in their original form, but this is a design decision that you'll need to discuss thoroughly because once the paint is on it will be extremely difficult to get it off.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thank you for the thorough response! I really appreciate it and will keep you in the loop once I’ve started
Looking forward to seeing the restoration @owenhlewis.
I think my favourite room at our place is our lounge room. We've kept it with a retro 50s feel in contrast to the more modern extension at the back. I love our crazystone fireplace. The previous owner built it and we installed a gas heater inside.
Jason
