Do-Over Fireplace Accent Wall with a Touchstone Fireplace Upgrade

Interior designer Shekeira "Kae" Whitaker recently rebuilt a fireplace accent wall in her primary bedroom and upgraded to a Touchstone® Electric Fireplace. She shares her DIY “do-over” renovation project on her channel “At Home With Kae” and explains what she learned and what she did differently the second time.

Fireplace Accent Wall Remodel Plan by At Home With Kae

To start, Kae dismantles the original fireplace surround, saving some plywood to re-use. She notes, “When we first moved into this home, I was excited to add a fireplace to our bedroom,  but my first attempt was… let’s just say, beginner DIY at best. The structure wasn’t as solid as it needed to be, and over time, cracks and shifting made it obvious I’d have to rebuild. Fast forward a few years and many DIY projects later, I knew I could create something stronger, sleeker, and more elevated.”

The new and improved Fireplace Accent Wall featuring the Touchstone Sideline Elite® 50 Smart Electric Fireplace

A Statement Fireplace With a Sleeker, More Elevated Look

For her desired “sleeker, more elevated” look, Kae replaced her other brand fireplace with the Touchstone Sideline Elite® 50 Smart Electric Fireplace. She shares her feedback on the Sideline Elite, “It’s absolutely beautiful, and I love it… After using this Touchstone product, I don’t think I could use anything else… If you’re dreaming of a statement fireplace that feels built-in, but don’t want the cost of a contractor, this model is an excellent choice.”

The second time around, Kae anchors the studs more securely and uses a stronger 2x4 fireplace frame. She also provides tips on do-it-yourself drywalling and plastering. Kae’s experienced mantra is, “Take your time, measure twice, and cut once, and you'll be fine.”

To create her own bedroom sanctuary, Kae paints the fireplace surround with masonry paint at 50% strength of the wall color. She says, “this subtle contrast keeps it interesting without feeling harsh.”

Kae loves the Sideline Elite's smart connectivity and easy controls by remote control or mobile app. This fireplace upgrade and new accent wall build have transformed her bedroom into a "little slice of heaven at home."

Watch the Project From Start to Finish

Watch At Home With Kae’s YouTube video to see the project from start to finish and get more DIY electric fireplace wall tips.

Learn More About the Project

At Home With Kae Blog

Photo and Video credits: At Home With Kae

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