So as I have said before I live in a 90's house with no built in character. My next project to add a little character was building a fireplace mantle and surround.
I checked out several books from the library to get inspiration and lo and behold in one of the books there was a plan for the above mantle, with a few alterations. I decide just to jump right in.
Check the bottom of the post for a link to the book I used.
Here is my living room before. The previous owner was using this as a pool room, that explains the low hanging light fixture in the middle of the room.
After, with a new light fixture, new arrangement, and new mantle.
As you can tell, I still have a lot to do with accessorizing. I really have a hard time with that. It seems like I can usually get the "bones" down like I like it, but to finish it off with accessories is always really challenging for me.
I thinking I want to do some type of board and batten to the lower part of the wall to break up all the TAN, but then the other day on Color Splash they showed a small living room and David's advice was to match the furniture to the walls to make it seem bigger. So now I might be reconsidering.
Here are few work in progress pictures:
I built this by MYSELF, so ladies if you are thinking about it DO IT. It wasn't that hard and it only cost me about $100.
Now just to paint the ugly brass!
Here is the book I got the plan out of.
I'm linking up here. Visit everyone.
Shanty2Chic I Made It Without My Hubby
Between Naps On The Porch Metamorpasis Monday
Cottage Insticts Make It For Monday
Making The World Cuter Monday
The Persimmon Perch Made It Mondays
Twice Remembered Make Your Monday
The Girl Creative Just Something I Whipped Up
Sumo's Sweet Stuff Market Yourself Mondays
A Soft Place To Land DIY Day
Blue Cricket Design Show and Tell
The Thrifty Home Penny Pinching Party
My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday
Great job!! Your living room is really coming together. I love the idea of the board and batten, but don't mind the monochromatic look, either.
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time with accessorizing, too!
What a beautiful mantle! You really created a warm and cozy atmosphere. Fabulous job!!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you! You built it yourself! What an accomplishment. I remember when I installed my new glass top stove, I read the directions and installed it myself. The feeling of pride I felt . . .
ReplyDeleteI do wish I had a mantle!
It looks wonderful !! I love how the white surround pops against your gorgeous wall color, too !!
ReplyDeleteWow, I am impressed. My husband does all the building around here and I do all the painting.
ReplyDeleteThat mantle makes all the difference! And you made it yourself?!?! I so would have got my husband involved, and by involved I mean I show him what I want and then tell him to make it for me! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and for linking back!
-Tiff
Love the fireplace redo! so beautiful :)
ReplyDelete~ Emily N. from "too Blessed to Stress"
Wow, that's amazing! I can't believe you did it yourself! I just found your blog from DIY Showoff. I was first attracted to your name, then I was blown away by your amazing projects! I'm definitely linking you to my blog. Thanks for all the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you built that from scratch! It turned out great! Wow!
ReplyDeleteI'm hosting a weekly link party and would love to have you come over and link this up!
http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-yours-day_09.html
Gorgeous job! I want to do something with mine, but I have a "faux mantel"---you know, the type made out of drywall? So ugly. Yours is super lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a difference your new mantle makes! It really finishes off your lovely room and you did a great job building it!
ReplyDeleteKat :)
It makes a huge differance! If I only had fireplace, I would so do this
ReplyDeleteYou did a fantastic job!!~ That looks like hard to work to me, the most I did was stain my mantel as it was a light oak, and then was a hard enough job!!~ KUDOS to you!!~
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful and you did a beautiful job building it!
ReplyDeleteAccessorizing is, I think, the hardest part of doing a room. As I recall, when my kids were young, or even now if they come to visit, it's not a problem -- every horizontal surface gets filled with their clutter.
Think long before committing to board and batten; take your photos and "paint" it on and see how you like it, virtually.
Cass
You're so awesome!
ReplyDeleteWow - that is so great - love the girl power!! We need to paint our ugly brass on our fireplace too. What kind of paint will you use? Spray paint? Black? Let me know!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
This is on our to do list :-)))
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful information.. I'm going to build a 'faux fireplace' soon and your design is perfect..
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Sandy
http://thewondersofdoing.blogspot.com/
Thanks for being such an inspiration to women that they really can tackle these kind of projects! This is what Modern Craftswoman Monday is all about! Rory
ReplyDeleteExcellent mantel. It turned out really nice. I like your choses of trim.
ReplyDelete