When Morgan Spenla in San Diego was done looking at a dark hole in her white brick fireplace – a fireplace that didn’t work – she decided it was time for a do-over. “We turned off the gas ...

Almost always made out of brick ... nearly all of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — adopted strict rules on wood-burning fireplaces in March 2009.

Q: I have a question regarding my old fireplace, built in the 1920s with a brick facade that was added in the 1950s. The brick facade has been painted white and is as ugly as can be. The fireplace ...

In many older homes where large brick fireplaces prevail, this can pose a challenge. What do you do? Cover it, paint it, rip it out? Here’s what to consider. Project: Remodeling a fireplace wall.