In the world of home renovations in South Surrey, few projects deliver the immediate “wow factor” quite like a living room transformation. The living room is where we gather, relax, and entertain, yet so many homes in the Lower Mainland still feature outdated, builder-grade fireplaces from the 90s or early 2000s.
At MC Renovation and Painting, we believe your living space should be the centerpiece of your home. Recently, we had the pleasure of completing a stunning custom feature wall that perfectly blends modern functionality with timeless texture. Featuring a floor-to-ceiling stone veneer, a sleek horizontal fireplace, and an integrated TV mount, this project exemplifies the modern standard for West Coast living.
If you are considering updating your space, here is everything you need to know about designing a feature wall that adds value, warmth, and style to your home.
Why Upgrade Your Fireplace?
When homeowners search for a renovation contractor in South Surrey, they often start with the kitchen or bathroom. However, a living room update—specifically a fireplace makeover—often yields a fantastic Return on Investment (ROI), both financially and experientially.
1. The Modern Focal Point
In open-concept homes, the fireplace wall is often visible from the kitchen and dining area. A dated tile surround or bulky mantle can drag down the aesthetic of the entire main floor. Replacing it with a cohesive stone design instantly modernizes the entire footprint.
2. Space Efficiency
Older entertainment units were bulky. By integrating the TV and a linear horizontal fireplace into a single, flush-mount structure, you reclaim valuable floor space. This creates a cleaner sightline and improves traffic flow in the room.
3. Heating Efficiency
Modern linear fireplaces (whether gas or electric) are designed for zone heating. They provide adjustable warmth to the room you use most, allowing you to lower the thermostat for the rest of the house.
Deconstructing the Design: The “Stone & Linear” Look
The project featured in our latest portfolio highlight (see image above) showcases one of the most requested design trends in South Surrey home renovations: the textural contrast between rugged stone and sleek technology.
The Horizontal Fireplace
Gone are the days of square, brass-lined gas inserts. The horizontal (or linear) fireplace offers a panoramic view of the flame. This shape naturally draws the eye outward, making the wall feel wider and the ceilings feel higher. For this project, the unit sits flush with the stone, creating a seamless, custom-built appearance.
The Stone Veneer
Texture is critical in modern design. Because contemporary homes often feature smooth surfaces—quartz countertops, hardwood floors, glass windows—adding a rough-hewn stone element brings balance. For this feature wall, we utilized a stacked stone profile. This material is lighter than full-bed masonry, meaning it can often be installed on standard framed walls without requiring additional foundation support—a huge plus for renovation timelines and budgets.
The Integrated TV
Mounting a TV above a fireplace requires careful planning. It’s not just about slapping a bracket on the wall. As your professional renovation contractor, we ensure:
Heat Deflection: Proper clearances and mantles (if used) to ensure heat from the fireplace doesn’t damage the electronics.
Cable Management: There is nothing worse than wires dangling down a beautiful stone wall. We frame specifically to hide all HDMI and power cables behind the structure, often running them to a hidden component cabinet to keep the look pristine.
The MC Renovation Process
Executing a feature wall like this requires a multi-trade approach. This is where hiring a dedicated renovation company in South Surrey or White Rock creates a seamless experience compared to DIY.
Phase 1: Demolition and Framing
We start by protecting your floors and sealing off the work area to control dust. We then carefully remove the existing surround and mantle. Once the studs are exposed, we re-frame the wall to accommodate the specific dimensions of the new linear fireplace and the TV recess. This is also where we add “blocking” (wood supports) exactly where the heavy TV bracket will screw in, ensuring it is rock solid.
Phase 2: Electrical and Gas
Before the wall is closed up, our certified partners handle the rough-ins. We move electrical outlets to be hidden behind the TV and adjust the gas lines (or electrical hardwire) for the new fireplace unit.
Phase 3: Sheathing and Stone Prep
Unlike a painted wall, stone requires a specific substrate. We install cement board or metal lath (mesh) to provide a “scratch coat” that the stone mortar can grip onto. This ensures your feature wall stands the test of time without cracking or delaminating.
Phase 4: The Stone Installation
This is where the artistry happens. Our masons lay the stone row by row, ensuring tight joints and a natural variation in color and texture. Special care is taken around the corners and edges to ensure a clean, professional finish that looks solid all the way through.
Phase 5: The Finishing Touches (Painting)
A new feature wall often makes the old paint color look tired. As experts in interior painting in South Surrey, we often finish these projects by repainting the surrounding walls. For stone walls, we recommend choosing a wall color that pulls from the “undertones” of the stone. If your stone has warm greys and rusty browns, a warm “greige” paint on the adjacent walls ties the room together perfectly.
Is a Feature Wall Right for Your Home?
We have installed these features in condos in White Rock, townhomes in Langley, and detached estates in South Surrey. The beauty of this renovation is its scalability.
Small Space: A lighter stone color and a smaller electric linear fireplace can make a condo living room feel airy and luxurious.
Large Space: A floor-to-ceiling dark stone with a 72-inch gas fireplace becomes a grand statement piece for a large family room.
Adding Value to Your Renovation
When we look at the real estate market in the Lower Mainland, “move-in ready” is the top request from buyers. A finished living room with a custom entertainment wall is a high-value selling feature. It suggests to buyers that the home has been updated with quality and care, distinguishing it from other listings that still need work.
Ready to Transform Your Living Room?
Whether you are looking for a complete home renovation in South Surrey or a targeted upgrade to your living space, the team at MC Renovation and Painting is ready to help. We handle the entire process—from design and permits to stone installation and the final coat of paint.
Stop dreaming about that cozy, modern fireplace and let’s build it.
Contact us today for a consultation. Let’s discuss how we can bring the warmth and style of a custom stone feature wall to your home.
