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Monday, September 24, 2012

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
TDC Before and After

20 comments:

  1. WOW! What a fabulous makeover! It's just beautiful!
    Nancy

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  2. Absolutely stunning! I have a brick fireplace and would love this! I have to show it to my husband. :)

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  3. Wow, what a great makeover! Your mantel looks great. The stone is so pretty!

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  4. Beautiful makeover! Sure makes a big difference in the living room. Congrats to the hubby! Warm hugs, Esther

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  5. Now, that is a transformation. Love the stone. Wish I could talk my husband into adding that to our fireplace wall. He knows how to tile so it shouldn't be hard for him. Thanks for sharing at Wow.

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  6. love it looks so good. ang

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  7. WOW that is awesome! Cant believe what a huge difference it made.
    Nice JOB

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  8. I love your fireplace and your fall decor!

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  9. What a transformation! Visiting for the first time today, and your fireplace caught my eye. You and the MR did a great job!

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  10. Have fun celebrating your new home decor, it does look fab

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  11. What an amazing transformation! Kudos to your Hubby Craftsman who did that for you (both) -- I can hardly believe it's the same fireplace, it looks so totally different. Perfectly beautiful. I am visiting from the linky party at Centsational Girl.

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  12. Your new fireplace is simply fabulous! What a difference it makes. Your hubby is quite handy!

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  13. I just loved your new fireplace and your tablescapes. I immediately became a follower of yours. I'm from Turkey by the way:)
    Sibel....

    Sibel-ish.blogspot.com

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  14. Amazing transformation! I love the stone look!

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  15. Your old fireplace was nice, but your new fireplace looks gorgeous! What a lovely focal point it gives your room -- especially with the added mirror and fall display. Kudos!

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  16. How lovely! The stone veneer was an amazing idea to solve the burgundy fireplace issue. I'm lucky enough to have a stone fireplace, but I'd be all over this if I didn't. :) (Hm, maybe I can replace the outside vinyl siding on my house with stone veneer? ;)

    Your room looks wonderfully cozy!

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  17. What a transformation! Visiting for the first time today, and your fireplace caught my eye. You and the MR did a great job!

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  18. Inspirational! Our current fireplace is pretty similar to your before, and our tastes are consistent with your after.

    It was interesting that you chose to just tile the hearth. That was probably a good choice from a "keep it clean" perspective.

    I was surprised that construction adhesive was enough to hold on the mantle. Is that really all you used? And did you just adhere everything to the white painted bricks or did you scrape off the paint for better adhesion.

    We want to mount a Monitor on the upper portion of the fireplace. Any ideas related to running wires?

    Thanks again to both of you.

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  19. Hi! I'm not sure how this is happening but feel I need to inform you. I keep getting questions concerning this post into my inbox. I also have done a fireplace makeover over at Www.thislittleestate@blogspot.ca perhaps one of your links is incorrect? I'm not sure why I would be receiving emails about a post I didn't author. Hope you can find a remedy.

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  20. I'm so impressed! It was beautiful before, but now it is gorgeous! I'm surprised at how much better I like the round mirror, too. The thicker mantle piece was also a good idea. I just love it!

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