I adored our original midcentury stone fireplace and would never dream of refacing it. BUT I was feeling inspired by old world overgrouted stonework found in sun drenched locales along the Mediterranean like Spain, the South of France, and Greece. I started thinking there was way to lighten it up, soften it, and bring in a new texture into the house. BEFORE: Its great. Its funky. Its cool. But can we contemporize it ever so slightly? Yes we can. INSPO: Desire to Inspire / Es

Lev's tween room is complete. We both love it, but I express way more enthusiasm than he can since now he is too cool to emote. I'm even...