Reader Project: Wall Teardown Reveals Hidden Fireplace

When Gary Grant tore out the cracked plaster walls in his old house, he discovered a fireplace, bricked up and long forgotten. The fireplace wasn’t usable—the exterior portion of the chimney was gone—but Gary decided to restore it anyway. He salvaged brick from the chimney section in the attic, taught himself to lay brick and built a new surround.

“I still have a few more walls to tear out—hoping to find bags of money next time.” — Gary Grant