If you’ve been following along, you might have seen our bedroom fireplace get a few tweaks over on Instagram Stories. Today I’m sharing the full story of how our plan to install gas logs went sideways and how we ended up choosing Plan B. When we last showed the fireplace on the blog, it looked something like this:
We should rewind a bit. When we started “Operation Revive the Fireplace” it was in rough shape: dried glue and gunk from old tiles, a rusty screen, and a layer of grime. Sherry, however, was determined. After nearly fifteen years of marriage, I’ve learned not to question that look in her eye that says, “trust me, this will work.”
Our original goal was to install gas logs since we loved the set in our previous living room. The catch: this chimney isn’t properly vented, so we planned for ventless logs. We scheduled the local gas company to run a line and, while we waited, Sherry carefully removed the old glue from the metal surround with a straight razor.
After scraping the surface and smoothing things out, Sherry used a can of black high-heat paint to refresh the metal and make it heat-resistant for the planned logs.
It needed trim around the metal for a cleaner edge and we talked about adding a mantel later, but even at that stage it looked a lot better. And yes, Sherry added a fern for good measure.
You might wonder why we’d want a gas fireplace in Florida. Northern Florida does get cool in winter—the average January low here is around the mid-40s—so a working fireplace is nice for ambiance and occasional warmth. Plus, Sherry prefers things on the warmer side, and she was excited to get the bedroom fireplace working again. The gas utility made the whole process simple: they quoted the line, sold the ventless logs online, and scheduled installation.
Then the installers arrived, and about ten minutes into prep a supervisor stepped in and said the surprising news: ventless gas logs aren’t allowed in bedrooms by local code. Only vented logs would be permitted. That stopped us cold.
We argued our case—Sherry had been told to order ventless logs and the work order noted the bedroom location—but the code is clear. The gas company apologized and refunded our purchase and the service fees. It was a disappointing, unexpected pivot.
You might expect we’d consider putting in proper venting, but that wasn’t appealing. A tall chimney straight through our upper deck or a bulky external vent would be awkward and visually disruptive. Instead, Sherry surprised me with a creative alternative: crystals.
Yes—crystals. Sherry’s search for fireplace decor turned toward photos of designer fireplaces with glass logs that look crystalline. That image reminded her of the selenite sticks she already owns, and the idea stuck. She looked for larger crystal-like pieces that could sit in the firebox and also found selenite tealight holders on clearance that were roughly log-sized. The price made sense: we could buy several crystal pieces for less than half the cost of the gas logs we’d returned, without installation fees or ongoing fuel bills.
The result is unexpected but lovely: stacks of white crystal “logs” with tealights nestled among them. When lit, the flicker of real flames among the crystals creates a gentle, cozy glow. It’s not the same as a working gas fireplace for heat, but it delivers ambiance and a beachy, refined look that suits the room.
I’ll admit, it’s unexpectedly charming. The crystals catch the light even when the candles are unlit, and at night the flicker becomes the real show. We used clean-burning beeswax tealights for a better scent and a cleaner burn, which adds to the calming evening vibe.
In the process we also painted the interior of the firebox. Sherry scrubbed at the surface with baking soda and discovered the “bricks” were actually a thin metal insert with a brick pattern. The faux brick didn’t come clean, so we painted it a warm, light tone—Sherwin-Williams Almondine in a satin finish—which brightened the firebox and made the crystals stand out. Two coats transformed the space in about thirty minutes.
The lighter firebox prevents the space from feeling like a black hole when the candles aren’t lit, and it ties in nicely with our floors and the artwork above the mantel. Once we add trim or a mantel, the whole assembly will feel even more finished.
We’re also planning built-in cabinets on either side of the fireplace beneath the windows, because the tiny white end table there doesn’t suit the space. We’ll share more details once those plans are finalized.
More Crystals In Our Home
I’ve been collecting crystals for years, and that interest has inspired other posts and conversations over time. They’ve become decorative accents around our house, and this fireplace project felt like a natural extension of that aesthetic.
- Aura Quartz
- Blue Calcite
- Green Aventurine
- Ocean Jasper
- Rainbow Fluorite
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If you’re working on a similar refresh, consider how a stylish, no-heat solution can create atmosphere without major renovations. Our crystal-and-candle setup gives us the cozy evening glow we wanted and a distinctive, beachy look even when the candles are off—proof that sometimes a setback leads to a more creative, unexpected result.
And yes, Burger approves—he loves the fluffy rug in front of the fireplace and made a cozy cameo during our photo shoot.
