Did y’all catch Erin and Ben’s ‘Home Town‘ episode? What a FUN couple, town and show! I really hope HGTV picks up the series because I’d love to see more of their renovations!
…and speaking of renovation projects, do you remember my friend Jess from Bright Green Door?
We partnered with her and her family on a Blog Threads t-shirt fundraiser in December of 2014, and they’re adopting a little girl from the same orphanage Sweet P lives at.
Well, Jess and her husband, Matt, are on their way to Haiti to meet their daughter for the very first time this week, and Kevin and I could not be more excited for them! If you feel compelled to lift up a prayer for them as they travel, I know they sure would appreciate it.
Matt and Jess recently moved back to Marquette, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and she asked if I’d be interested in dreaming up some fireplace designs with her for their new house. She recently painted the cabinetry and paneling in their living room, but she’s still scratching her head about what she wants to do with the rest of the fireplace.
She loves mid-century and modern-meets-southwestern design, so I put together a few different ideas in Photoshop to *hopefully* give her a better idea of what certain colors/finishes would look like, and to help get her inspired to move forward. She sent me a photo of the rug she’s planning to use in the room, so I popped that in there first, and then played around with some different fireplace ideas for her to check out:
1. Paint It White
Jess mentioned that she’s thinking about painting the brick white, so I thought I’d show her what that would (kind of) look like. She also mentioned loving the way Dana’s fireplace looked after she painted it white:
Here’s how it turned out when they were finished remodeling:
What a gorgeous space, huh? 😀
2. Board-formed Concrete
I have no idea how labor intensive this would be, or if there’s a way to DIY it, but MAN I love the look of it! Here are a few inspiration photos:
I love the way the concrete looks like old planks of wood! I did find a company called Muros Wall Coverings, that makes lightweight, roughcast concrete panels that look very similar, but I have no idea how much they cost.
3. Board & Batten
On this one, I pulled in some board and batten, and added a little extra sumpin-sumpin around the firebox. It came from these photos I found on Pinterest:
I love how that black part sticks out from the wall (I wonder if it’s metal or stone?), and Matt and Jess could choose any tile to go on the area inside of it.
4. Concrete Panels
Okay, I’m calling this one concrete panels, but it wouldn’t *really* have to be actual concrete panels. I’m thinking they could frame out the existing fireplace with wood studs so that they could attach thin rectangular panels of plywood to it (that have been faux-finished to look like concrete) in a block pattern. Here are some inspiration photos:
It would take a little time, but MAN I think it could be a really cool project! And along those same lines, Tasha at Designer Trapped In A Lawyer’s Body created this DIY Concrete Fireplace for $100 that turned out so great, too. Maybe that post will get Jess’ creative gears turning if she likes the idea of concrete?
5. Charcoal-Painted Paneling
For this one, I just pulled in elements from this photo:
Matt and Jess could just paint the brick right around the firebox to match the color of the light gray concrete hearth, and then they could attach thin wood paneling and moulding to the rest of the fireplace to create the paneled effect. Another option would be to paint the panels white (or another color), instead of charcoal.
6. Mid-century Mantel:
Okay- for that one, I drew inspiration from this photo:
I didn’t know if Jess would like the unique, triangular “corbels” underneath the mantel shelf, but I thought I’d throw it in the mix just in case. Kinda fun, huh? The rest of the fireplace could be covered in the same type of paneling that’s already on the upper part…assuming they could find it.
One last idea, that I didn’t have time to Photoshop, would be to attach moulding in a pattern, like this:
I think it would look cool to cover the entire surface with something like that!
Alright y’all, stay tuned to Jess’ blog, Bright Green Door, to follow along with her home and family adventures. She’s a super fun gal and I just know you’ll love her as much as I do!
PS- Jess: Have you seen this house? Mid-Century Modern Home Tour
I thought you’d like that one, too! XO
Home town was ok…but way too much like fixer upper..including jumping on bed springs and swatting at bugs. The styles were cute..but not the talking in car, and doing every single thing that chip and Jo do.
That cow skull is detracting from all the fireplace ideas.
Even though I loved the photos of Ben and Erin’s house, I didn’t watch the show. It sounded too much like Fixer Upper (which I love). I agree with Terry; the cow skull doesn’t work for me. I understand mixing vintage/modern/new but the cow skull is too specific to Southwestern for me to put in mid-century modern.
Okay- I’ve edited the wording in my post to mention that Jess likes southwestern touches too. 😉 Believe it or not, mid-century and southwestern are becoming a SUPER popular pairing these days! Here’s a link to an article that features some beautiful mid-century-meets-southwestern interiors: http://rosabeltrandesign.blogspot.com/2013/04/mid-century-modern-meets-southwest.html
…and you missed a GREAT episode. Erin and Ben are the sweetest and although I’ve noticed some folks are quick to criticize the editing of their show because it’s similar in format to Fixer Upper, I loved the show for that exact reason. Gimme all the laid back, kind-hearted, old house-lovin’ couples ya got, HGTV! 😀 There’s not enough of that on TV, if ya ask me.
It does make me wonder what “other” format folks are interested in seeing though. ? It would be interesting to hear from the folks who are craving something different.
The couple was nice…but the network designed it exactly like chip and Jo. Their personalities need to be their own, and let them do what is natural..not the antics of chip, not the car talks, not the standing together and batting at bugs. I do like it that Ben makes things.
Oh gosh, I think their personalities absolutely shined because they were allowed to be themselves…batting at bugs and all- LOL! 😉 And, again, I dig the format, so I thoroughly enjoyed the show and I’m looking forward to seeing what else Ben cooks up, too!
I missed it. But I do love the naturalness of Jo and Chip, kids and bugs. I do understand if others felt they were copied. But if you have a good thing you capitalize on it. I feel bad for them if they were just being themselves and compared so closely to Chip and Jo. Chip gets on my nerves sometime and Jo’s too. But hey, I get on others nerves too…..I guess. 😉
On another point, I vote for the charcoal fireplace and the cow skull. I think it goes best with the paneling and charcoal color.
I thought they were darling and hope the show gets picked up. I love Erin’s style. Yes it is something like Fixer Upper which to me is a good thing. I have been following their blog for quite awhile and can say they are the real deal. They seem so excited about what they do and anxious to share Laurel with everyone. There is a lot to offer in small towns. I loved the show today! Can’t wait for more!
I like the white fireplace ideas…painted brick or white wood. I do think I would look at changing the countertops on the built in cabinetry to a wood that matches the mantel.
Just and idea.
For the fireplace, I really like the board-formed concrete design. I think the wood-look gives it some warmth, and I like the color going all the way up to the ceiling. I also like the charcoal painted paneling one, and I think the last one (molding in a pattern) would be really cool too. That room has such great light… and the snow outside is beautiful! I feel like the room needs a little warming up. I’m hoping some colorful southwestern patterns make their way in, and maybe a fire in that fireplace! 😉
Hi Layla! Wow, I am SUCH a huge fan of your so I am beyond honored that you linked to my DIY concrete fireplace. I love the other concrete fireplace inspiration you found. The board formed concrete look is STUNNING!
For those of us that missed it, do you know if the show will be repeated? (I promise to keep an open mind! ?)
I sure don’t, Nancy. I think it depends on how many folks tuned in on Sunday. ? I’m hoping they just cut straight to the chase and pick up an entire series from Erin and Ben’s production crew. I enjoyed it SO much! 😀 The fact that it focuses so much on the city, architecture and residents of Laurel was so fun (made me want to move there!), and I LOVED Erin’s budget-friendly design ideas and style. I literally gasped when they revealed the foyer! And don’t even get me started on that room they created in the attic. The platform area that covers up the HVAC stuff, and plain ol’ 1x4s as flooring…brilliant!!!
I was always told that you can’t use the 1 x 4’s that are in the attic. I’ve heard in most places that’s not to code and you have to use 2 x 4’s. I’m curious about that because I want to floor my attic and make a room. Strange thing is, my husband put plywood down years ago to make it easier to step around when using it for storage. I don’t know why that wouldn’t be just as dangerous as putting down a permanent flooring?
Thank you for telling us about Hometown! I loved it. How meaningful that they incorporate the history of the house and the town into the design. Cute couple. Hope it’s picked up. I look forward to knowing them.
Sure thing, Bridgett! 😀
Some great ideas and some neat concepts! I love the paneling, the charcoal paneling, the painted brick and the last one you showed us. There’s just so many options out there!
Hope she finds the right one soon! Can’t wait to see what she decides
Lauren | Lovely Decor
http://www.lovelydecor.co
xx
Thanks, Lauren! I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with too. They are in Haiti now, and I’m bursting at the seams to hear how their first visit with their daughter went today too! 😀
I think Jess can get the concrete or wood look with tiles. There are many beautiful tiles for a reasonable price.
Thought the Hometown couple was cute and sweet but agree with others that it was too similar to Fixer Upper. I’d love to see more of them and think there is a place for this show but it needs its own identity.
Wood-look tiles would be a great option, Terry!
…and as for Home Town, I didn’t realize how differently folks would perceive the episode until I started reading some of the feedback about it! I saw it’s own identity in the fact that it’s about a small town called Laurel, where a young couple (without kids) works together with people from that same small town to restore historic homes for new-to-town buyers. Nothing like Fixer Upper in that sense. I also see a different identity in the fact that Erin and Ben’s style is different, and they are a graphic designer/artist and craftsman who create one-of-a-kind pieces around town and for the folks who live in Laurel. So neat! I feel a road trip comin’ on! 🙂
I’m watching Home Town right now and gotta say I’m really liking it! Yes, it’s a similar format to Fixer Upper, but weren’t we all begging for more shows like that instead of just the real estate shows? Love seeing how they take an old house and make it work for today. I’d like HGTV to realize that we want more decorating/DIY shows and not endless hours of Love It or List It and House Hunters (though keeping them is fine, too – just not 12 hours a day of them!) I kinda miss the old “Design Time Saturday Night” of the 1990s HGTV 😉
As for the fireplace ideas – I’m not a modern/southwest style of person but the concrete plank look is really cool.
Totally agree, Kim. More decorating and fixing-up-old-home shows, please! 😀 “Design Time Saturday Night”…man those were the days, weren’t they?
And thank you for weighing in about the concrete plank look. I’m a big fan of that one too!
I’m in love with the charcoal painted one! I don’t know why…. it’s nothing like my home…. just love it…
My husband thought Hometown was hokey so we turned the channel. Little did he know I had already set it to be recorded. Just watched it without him this morning. I gotta say it grew on me as the show progressed. It will be nice to see them settle in and become more comfortable and confident if there are more episodes.
That porch! There should be a law that every home has a front porch like that….
I’ve always loved that charcoal one on Pinterest too, Cindy!
And I’m glad you gave Home Town a second chance, and that you liked it the more you watched. Laurel is only a few hours away, so I’m looking forward to seeing that porch in person soon! 😀
I agree with the charcoal. It really popped. And, I live in a completely different place, the Pacific Northwest. But the draw is I could maybe DIY. The other ideas are awesome, just not as easily duplicated.
Ooh, friend- you could totally rock the white paint, faux “concrete” panels, or the mid-century modern mantel! The one that I still can’t figure out how to DIY is the board formed concrete. I’m sort of determined to re-create it though- LOL! 😀
I really enjoyed Home Town. The wood flooring in the attic…I see a Home Depot trip in my future! What about that house they didn’t choose? It was dreamy. The format works. I noticed the similarities and the differences. Give me a talented couple renovating amazing old homes and I’m going to watch. I’d love to see you and your hubby do a show like this.
And I vote for the charcoal paneled wall. Beautiful.
They must be on their way to meet their daughter with my best friend, Andrea! She left yesterday and I am so excited for them to meet their daughter, too! I’ll say an extra prayer for your friends. Love all your suggestions! You are so talented.
Man, too bad I missed the show. It sounds like it’s fun and laid back. I love Chip and Joanna’s style and I love couples who are themselves. Personally, I love the charcoal board and batten. I love the skull head! Sure wish I could understand photoshop because it looks like a great design tool before committing to a project.
Layla,
I absolutely love your style, but I have to tell you this post was so much fun! I really enjoyed seeing how you interpret other styles different from your norm. You’ve got a great eye. Thanks for your great content on this post and all your posts!
I watched Home Town (since I couldn’t make church due to a pulled back muscle), and I enjoyed the show. I thought they were a delightful family with passion and vision for their town. I love Fixer Upper and I agree that I would like to see more shows in that genre, but I would prefer to see them develop their own show-style a little more. I recognize that they may not have had much say in the matter since producers don’t want to mettle with what seems to be working. I hope HGTV gives this cute couple a chance to show us a little more who they are. I have enough love to share with both Fixer Upper and Home Town.
I prefer the first option – paint it white!
So many good options…I like the tile idea! As for Home Town, I really loved it. I am super surprised with the comments. 🙁 Maybe I liked it because I can relate to them and I love an old house and have renovated one and hope to do more. I also think the community aspect is awesome and the creative people- so cool! Bring on the show-and those that don’t like it-oh well. There will always be an audience that LOVES this stuff! Also, go read their blogs and see that they are being authentic. I did this before the show, so I could get a little background. I hope Erin and Ben get a show!
Layla, your personal style has been a big influence on me…and my house thanks you! One of the things I have also LOVED about your blog is your ability to envision and appreciate the form and beauty in different design ideas. Your style is my favorite, but I love how you encourage us to look at and think about totally different styles and options. It encourages me to think outside the box and find some things I like that I might not have otherwise discovered. 🙂 All of your suggestions for Jess were fantastic!
I like it when people display things they love (like the cow skull) because those are the things that make them feel happy. We live in the Ozarks, but our farm dogs are constantly digging up cow skulls, so it’s not unusual for me to come home and find a few “new” ones scattered around. 🙂 They aren’t quite as cool looking as Jess’s, though, lol!
Thanks for the heads’ up about Home Town! I can’t wait to watch it! And as you know, swatting at bugs is just part of being outside in the South. That’s completely authentic, not copying anyone. 🙂 Thanks for a great post, as usual!