Fall Mantel/Fireplace Makeover

 This year's Fall Mantel uses similar items to last year's but is actually dramatically different.

There are the same black candleholders with orange pillars on them...

and the same round black vase with grasses...

However, when you look at the BIG picture, it looks totally different!

Yep, Mr. Delight came through for me (I'd been talking about a fireplace update of some kind for years!) and put a stone veneer over the existing brick (shown below).

Here's a before picture (below) where I was removing all the winter decor just before he started the project.

And we couldn't be more pleased with the final result! (below)

The brick had already been painted white before we bought the house. In what we now refer to as our "burgundy phase", for some reason, we thought a burgundy painted hearth, mantel and border would be "cool".

It didn't take long for me to grow weary of that disaster idea and start begging hinting to Mr. Delight for a change.

Above, you see the burgundy hearth in all its glory (NOT!) and below, you see the ceramic tile that Mr. Delight put on over it. (Gas Fire with log insert - no glass)

We opted not to have the stone on the edge but rather continue the tile down because I am not a "gentle vacuum-er" and we could foresee bits of the stone being chipped off near the carpet.

 We chose VersaStone in the chablis colour which we bought at Rona.

Using a tile saw to cut the stone and construction adhesive, Mr. Delight gradually covered all the existing brick with the stone veneer.

A space was left where he planned to mount the beam-mantel he created.(these pics were taken with flash so stone looks washed out)

He built this frame to help hold the beam-mantel in place while the adhesive dried.

 He stained the beam-mantel a dark brown. We debated on leaving it more natural with more of the wood grain showing but in the end, I'm happier with this option. 
New round mirror is from Walmart.

 Another look at the before/after

 

We are now enjoying many cozy fall evenings sipping wine in front of our updated fireplace...aaahh, love it!
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out the other fall mantels at Centsational Girl.
I'll also be linking to these terrific blog parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savy Southern Style 
Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z
Monday Metamorphosis at Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home  
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Autumn Abounds at At the Picket Fence