Below are more BEFORE pictures of our fireplace.
This picture shows the fireplace after we removed the wood molding around the fireplace and after we removed the carpet. Check out the floor! Oh my! 
In the picture below, Neal removed the drywall over the fireplace so we could add durock cement board to which the stone will adhere. (Notice the partial wall to the right of the fireplace was previously removed to open up our living area.)
Here the simulated stone is being installed using thin-set.
The picture below shows the mortar between the stones has been added. This mortar was piped in the cracks and then brushed after setting to create clean mortar joints. 
Here is a closer picture. Notice that the mortar between the stones has not been smoothed yet. 
This is the final fireplace after the mortar had been smoothed with a brush and before we hung our television.
Here is our fireplace decorated for fall. 
Click here to see our outdoor fireplace project.
Let us know what you think or if you have any questions by posting below. ?
Nice posts! 🙂
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Sanny
We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with useful info to work on. You’ve performed a formidable activity and our whole neighborhood will probably be grateful to you.
Really informative blog post. Cool.
Bravo and cute fall decor.
What a difference! The whole room is different. Good work!
Wow this looks great! Was this a gas fireplace prior to this project or did you guys have to add a gas line?
Thanks, Emmy for your question. We had to retrofit it to be a gas fireplace. We had a professional do this part for us. Thank you so much for reading our blog.
Suzanne
your fireplace is gorgeous! you guys do good work.