Fireplace Re-do
When we moved in last October, our fireplace mantle was orange and laquery. (And, yes, “lacquery” is now officially a word in my vocabulary) Not to mention, waaaay to puny. Take a look:
So I went out and bought a 1×8 pine board and stained it my favorite color- Walnut!
(Insert the sound of screeching brakes here) Wait. Back up. FIRST, before I stained it, I hit it with a chain and a hammer. Scratched it up with a utility knife and a screwdriver, and poked some holes in it with a nail. THEN I stained it.
So in the end, it turned out like this:
Then we attached it to the existing mantle, and voila!
As for the brick, I’m thinking of covering it with 2×2″ tumbled travertine tiles. Like the ones on the left, OBVIOUSLY!
I am going to remove the firebox insert thingy, and tile the inside, outside and even the hearth. There a gas line hook up in there, so we’ll have that hooked up one day. Hopefully before gas reaches $7.00 a gallon.
Now, here’s where ya’ll come in. I’d LOVE to hear your ideas on what I should put on my mantle. It’s so LOOOONG! I’ve just got that picture propped up there now because I haven’t painted our Master Bedroom yet, and I think it’s going to go in there. Don’t quote me on that though. 
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27 Responses to Fireplace Re-do
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Life with Mimi & Bunny says:
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Linda at Lime in the Coconut! says:
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room says:
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Dianne says:
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Chris says:
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paperjunk-lc says:
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Linda at Lime in the Coconut! says:
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Teacats says:
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Spymommy says:Jul 26, 2008 at 10:05 am
Love the mantle! You have a knack for taking the dreary, seeing the potential and making it FABULOUS!
I would definitely find a great piece of lettering (be it a sign, or a single large initial from your last name) and work it into the mantle with some b/w photography or great litho prints – maybe some architechtural prints or natural prints to compliment the shells you have around the corner. It would also be fun to add a punch of color up there since it seems a bit monochromatic right now. I know you’ll make it amazing.
BTW, I have total mantle ADHD and mine changes all the time.
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Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says:
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Teacats says:
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SarahWhite says:Jul 26, 2008 at 11:27 am
Wow…that looks great! I would have never thought to do something like that. Lately, I’m loving the mantle displays that are unexpected…tiny little pics, things off center…not the same ole, same ole. Loooooooove Linda’s idea…but I love anything she does. You should really see her house…A.M.A.Z.I.N.G…and so is she. She is an incredibly talented “homer” (my new word)and leads an amazing cool life. Really…she’s a cool chick with tons of fresh inspiration. Can you tell I adore her? Really and truly…I want to be her when I grow up!
Sorry…got off track there for a moment. Heeee. Was wondering what you are going to do with the “insert”. My parents have one of those and while initially I thought it was pretty un-attractive (i’m such a real fire kind of girl) the thing puts out amazing heat and that’s what they use all winter. My dad has one lined up for us and I think we are going to use it this winter. I was just going to mention, with the cost of things lately…might be a good thing to hang on to. I’d much rather fund my decorating hobbies than the gas/power bill.
Congrats on the first day of your new career. I remember the day I quit my job almost 10 years ago…one of the best days of my life. Such freedom…in a new way! Jump on it you ROCK-STAR girl!
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SarahWhite says:
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Deb says:
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Kristi says:
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Kat says:
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Kat says:
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Kat says:
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Bella says:Jul 27, 2008 at 4:01 am
I love it!
You will love having a gas fireplace, it is so convenient. We have a wood burning one and yes, it's nice, but alot of WORK, too.
The length of my mantle kicks your mantle's butt though, lol
I will have to post my fireplace on my blog someday. The brick surround, hearth and mantle go the entire wall, it's massive. We do love it though…but it is a challenge to decorate. I just decorate right above the fireplace though, otherwishe it would look like a garage sale table I think I like topiaries on mantles, not that I have any, but I will someday. Wreaths look nice over them, too, I do have one of those…it is a simple one, from Target's Smith & Hawkens line. Just have fun with it, I am sure you will come up with something fun!
Bella
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Bella says:Jul 27, 2008 at 5:07 am
Hi Layla,
I posted my fireplace on my blog, come take a peek. Please ignore the curtain rod that is too long and the green chair that is too big…lol…hubby has to saw off the excess curtain rod, all in good time, right? And the chair, well, that is what I get for fallin in love with Steve’s Thinking Chair on Blue’s Clues! lol
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Kim says:
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Kris says:
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Wendy says:
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Mrs. Trixi says:
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sandra/tx says:
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Carli says:
Layla,
The mantle looks great. And I love how you painted the wall too.
I think it will look great with the tile.
We have gas logs, and love them!
Diane