Fireplace Remodels & Renovations in Southern California

Many homes throughout Southern California still have original brick or dated fireplace surrounds that no longer fit the style of the home. A fireplace remodel allows homeowners to update the focal point of their living space while improving proportion, materials, and overall design.

Studio Design Works specializes in fireplace remodels and renovations, transforming outdated fireplaces into custom cast stone designs that feel timeless and architectural. Each project is carefully designed to complement the character of the home, with close attention to scale, material selection, and craftsmanship from start to finish.

With decades of construction experience, Studio Design Works has become a trusted name in fireplace remodeling throughout our local community. Our team focuses exclusively on fireplace renovations, working with specialist contractors who understand the technical and design considerations required for high-quality restoration work.

Led by owner Wayne Reader, our process has been refined over years of hands-on experience. From structural updates to detailed finish work, we approach every fireplace remodel with the same care and precision—no shortcuts, no generic solutions.

Every project begins with a no-obligation in-home consultation and assessment of your existing fireplace. This allows us to evaluate scale, layout, and design potential before making recommendations.

Following the consultation, our designers create a personalized CAD drawing along with a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work. This ensures clarity at every stage and allows you to visualize the final result before construction begins.

This project features the installation of our Newburgh precast fireplace mantel, transforming a plain wall into a finished fireplace focal point.

To accommodate the new mantel and fireplace insert, the wall was opened and the firebox was recessed deeper into the wall cavity, utilizing space from the garage directly behind the living room. This allowed us to achieve the proper depth and proportions for the fireplace.

After reframing and finishing the wall, the Newburgh mantel was installed, creating a balanced and elegant fireplace feature that complements the room while adding architectural detail.

Before

The original fireplace had painted brick and a large mirror that made the space feel dated and visually heavy.

What the Customer Wanted

A clean, timeless fireplace with a custom mantel, better proportions, and a more refined, architectural look.

After

The brick and mirror were removed and replaced with a custom mantel and surround, creating a bright, elegant focal point with classic lines and a polished finish.

This fireplace was transformed from an unfinished opening with exposed masonry into a refined architectural centerpiece. During the remodel, our team carefully prepared the structure and installed a custom cast stone mantel and hearth, ensuring precise alignment, proper scale, and long-term durability. The finished result is a timeless, fully styled fireplace that brings warmth, balance, and elegance to the space—elevating the entire room with craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

The homeowner wanted a clean, timeless fireplace that felt lighter and more refined. The updated surround and mantel deliver a smooth, balanced look, while neutral finishes keep the focus on the architecture.

At Studio Design Works, we take pride in protecting your home from day one. We carefully isolate the work area and remove existing materials with precision, not force. This thoughtful approach allows us to prepare every fireplace properly and deliver a refined result we’re proud to stand behind.

The homeowner began with an outdated wooden fireplace and wanted to replace it with something more classic and ornate. During installation, the Newburgh cast stone fireplace was carefully set in place, transforming the structure of the space. Once completed, the finished room highlights the fireplace as a timeless focal point, with refined finishes.

Before

The original fireplace featured exposed red brick and an outdated firebox that made the space feel heavy and unfinished, with no defined mantel to anchor the room.

After

The installation of the Bryant cast stone mantel with shelf brings structure, balance, and timeless elegance to the fireplace. Clean cast stone detailing frames the opening beautifully, while the shelf adds architectural presence, creating a refined, finished focal point that elevates the entire room.

The finished fireplace was transformed into a refined Tuscan-inspired focal point. A handcrafted stone mantel now frames a clean, proportioned firebox with a warm, inviting flame and herringbone firebrick detail. Flanking cabinetry, stone hearth, and coordinated flooring complete the look, creating a balanced, elegant centerpiece that feels intentional, timeless, and fully integrated into the room.

Before:

The fireplace was finished with orange marble that felt heavy and dated.

After:

We removed the marble and installed a clean, timeless cast stone mantel, instantly brightening the room and creating a refined, architectural focal point.

This project began with an unfinished wall lacking any architectural detail or defined fireplace feature. We carefully framed and built out the wall for proper structure and proportions, then sheathed it to create a clean, solid foundation with a strong focus on precision and protection throughout the process. The transformation was completed with our Malibu mantel, turning the fireplace into a refined focal point that brings warmth, balance, and a polished, finished look to the space.

The fireplace began as an unfinished structure with exposed framing, visible firebox construction, and active jobsite conditions. Through careful framing, precise leveling, and detailed installation of the firebox, hearth, and stonework, every element was aligned and protected to ensure a clean final result. The completed space now features the Monaco cast stone fireplace, creating a bright, refined focal point with clean lines and a polished, finished look that integrates seamlessly into the room.

This project began with the existing stone which provided a solid starting point but lacked refinement and a cohesive focal point. We carefully removed the orginal stone, made the existing wall good again. From there, we designed and installed the Chelsea fireplace mantel. The customer finished the room by adding cabinets and shelving.

Catalina Fireplace Mantel –

Rancho Santa Fe Project. Double sided fireplace in between two rooms.

This project began with the existing stone which provided a solid starting point but lacked refinement and a cohesive focal point. We carefully removed the orginal stone, made the existing wall good again. From there, we designed and installed the Chelsea fireplace mantel. The customer finished the room by adding cabinets and shelving.