Case Study

A Fireplace Feature in Aiken That Tied the Kitchen and Living Room Together With One Smart Change Order

How DreamMaker used leftover glass accent tile from a kitchen remodel to overlay the dark green marble fireplace surround - tying two rooms together and making a striking feature that nobody had planned until the lead carpenter suggested it mid-project.

Aiken, South Carolina

2 Weeks

Cohesive & Elegant

Interior Remodeling

Project Overview

Nobody Planned It. Everyone Loves It.

This fireplace project was not in the original scope. DreamMaker was already working on this client’s kitchen when the lead carpenter looked at the dark green marble tile fireplace surround and had an idea: the glass accent tile left over from the kitchen could go on the fireplace, finally tying the two rooms together the way the client had been hoping for. That conversation became a change order. And that change order became the room’s best feature.

Location: South Carolina

Neighborhood: Aiken

Modern

About The Neighborhood

Aiken is one of South Carolina’s most sought-after communities — a historic, family-friendly city with charming homes, oak-canopied neighborhoods, and an easy Southern pace that belies its proximity to Augusta’s bustling economic hub.

The Challenge

What Was Not Working

Before the remodel, the space faced several challenges:

A dark green marble tile fireplace surround in the living room that clashed with the updated kitchen next to it
A client who wanted the kitchen and living room to feel connected - but had not identified the fireplace as the missing link
A decision point: remove the existing tile (more expensive, more risk) or overlay it (faster, less disruptive, lower cost)

Like many homes in Cave Springs, the master bath retained its original footprint — creating real functional limitations for a busy household and making what should be a personal retreat feel like an afterthought.

BEFORE:

“When the lead carpenter mentioned the idea, she loved it immediately. The glass tile over the fireplace tied the kitchen and living room together exactly as we had hoped – and it was the one detail nobody had originally planned.”

– Aiken, SC

5.0 | Google Review

The Solution

Built Around a Leftover Tile and a Carpenter's Good Eye.

To solve the bathroom’s layout and style challenges, DreamMaker redesigned the master bath with improved flow, custom storage, natural light, and a clean modern finish. Removing the unused Jacuzzi unlocked the footprint entirely, custom cabinetry made every inch purposeful, and thoughtful material choices brought the spa-like atmosphere the homeowners had always wanted.

Key Improvements included:

Existing dark green marble tile assessed: well-bonded, smooth surface - ideal for overlay
Two price options presented to the client with honest pros and cons of each approach
Overlay method selected - less expensive, lower risk, and just as beautiful
Glass accent tile left over from the kitchen remodel used on the fireplace surround
Glass accent tile positioned as a feature strip above the fireplace, tying the two rooms' palettes together
Result: a striking, cohesive connection between kitchen and living room that nobody had originally planned

AFTER: THE TRANSFORMATION

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Inspired By This Transformation?

Whether you’re updating an outdated kitchen, expanding a bathroom, or planning a complete remodel, DreamMaker is here to bring your vision to life.