Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fireplace Renovation

When we did our house renovation we knew that we had to address our fireplace.  We love having a fireplace - even in South Florida (I know, I know - we don't get to use it very often, but when we do, it's wonderful to have!).  However, the fireplace in the house was not something to write home about.  Would you like to see what I mean? 


Isn't this thing beautiful?  Not. 

Before we go any further I want to apologize right up front for the quality of some of these pictures.  Some are pictures of pictures (remember me telling you about not having the original pictures of the house on my computer?) and there are a lot of pictures.  However, I have to show you the progression of the project.  So, please forgive the quality and the amount of pictures you are about to see. 

Now, back to the fireplace - it get worse -


See the angled walls - right in front of the fireplace is an area that was the original dining room and the kitchen is to the right - pool is through the sliding glass door to the left.

Now you can see the kitchen a little better (I'll do a post on the kitchen at a later date).  This was the house when the Mountain Man and I moved in - and the location made it practically useless.


This was just before the remodeling project began - haven't pack everything up yet but you can see all the angles around the fireplace.

Let the project begin --------

Day One of the project - master bedroom in the back.  All the walls are gone and MM has removed all the stone from the fireplace.

While all that ugly stone is gone - we still have the problem of ANGLES!  They have to go!  So, Mountain Man tore all the mesh off the face of the fireplace and then we drywalled with squared-up walls.


 Some people have asked us if we moved the fireplace.  We did not, but by making all the walls straight and square it looks like we did.


The Mountain Man at work!


This is the house during the middle part of the renovation project - a little bit of a mess huh?  Such fun to live in!!!!




Okay- floor has been installed, tile around the fireplace, and walls have been painted.  Now, it's time to finish up the fireplace!


Still a work in progress.



More detail of the wood working as MM progressed.



First shelf installed and the surround is pretty much complete.


First coat of paint.


A few days later and - Yahoo! 
It's done!





By squaring up the walls we had enough room to add these decorative shelves.  I'll tell you - this was not the original plan - we had thought that we were going to put a closed cabinet with a couple of shelves above - but after thinking about it we thought it would be heavy.  So, we decided just to have the open shelving instead.


This is our seating area in front of the fireplace.  No longer is this space wasted - it is a wonderful place to sit, enjoy the fire, and read.  The chairs swivel and rock so they are very comfortable - you can even swivel around and watch TV in the great room.

I love our new fireplace area and I think there is a huge difference from



                                                        this


to



this.

What do you think?  Do you think we made good decisions in this area?
Would love to hear your opinion - so drop me a "line" in the comments, but PLEASE remember to 'play' nice.

Thanks!

Hugs!

Carol 

P.S. 
I think that I have removed the comment verification from my blog.  If someone would leave me a comment and let me know if, in fact, I have removed this pain in my side I would GREATLY appreciate it!
Thanks!!!!

I'm linking to:
                                                                        http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/03/whats-in-gunny-sack-link-party-29.html
                                                                     http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/2012/03/share-your-creations-party-29.html
                                                                     http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2012/03/tuesday-to-do-53-and-52-list-makers.html
                                                                       http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2012/03/tutorials-tips-link-party-51.html

45 comments:

  1. LOVE IT! It is beautiful :)

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  2. WOW, what a magnificent transformation and with added shelf space to boot. Great job and by the way, I want that moose!! I love moose!! I have a question, did you have to dismantle the encave where the logs are set in? I would love to redo our fireplace and mantle but it looks too challenging and I was just wondering about the encave? Visiting from Wow us Wednesday :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind comments - the moose belongs to Mountain Man - and we love moose too! Now, as to your question - If you mean the fire box - no we did not do anything to the firebox - and we left the 2 X 4 frame around the firebox and chimney stack - and just added the new drywall. If you aren't sure about your fireplace maybe just a "facelift" and new mantle would work. We put stone and a new mantle on our fireplace in NC right over brick.

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  3. Wow! I wouldn't believe it was the same fireplace if there weren't pictures to prove it! I posted it on FB. :)

    Anna
    www.askannamoseley.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Anna - so glad you liked it! Thanks for the post on FB!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  4. Did you redo your entire house? Sounds like you had quite the job, but the end results were worth it. The new fireplace is a HUGE improvement, but I'm sure you know that. I really like how you made the room seem more open and airy with the new walls and color. You and your husband should be proud at all the wonderful changes you've made to your home.

    Thanks for sharing your home at my party each week!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Shannon! Yes, my hubby and I redid the entire house - it was a total gut job! We are really pleased with the way things turned out and I'm so happy that other people like it too!
      Hugs!
      Carol

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  5. That is beautiful! I'll guess you added $10k to the value of your house. You had nowhere to go but up when you started but high marks on the shelving and the open feeling!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the kind comments!
      Hugs!

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  6. Wow. Such an amazing transformation! That before shot was just hideous! Was it someone else's idea of a diy? Because I can't believe anyone would pay someone to do that to their house!

    And love the duck collection. My favorite uncle had one at his home on the waterfront in the Jersey shore. Brings back fond memories!

    :)

    Linda

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    Replies
    1. Hi Linda - actually not only did someone pay the builder to put that hideous rock on the fireplace it's on the outside of our house too! Thanks for the kind comments - The duck collection belongs to the hubby, and since we live on a lake it just seemed to be the right thing to display!
      Thanks for coming by -
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  7. Absolutely beautiful! What a transformation. You have done a wonderful job. Hope you will visit Magnolia Cottage. Have a wonderful day.

    Blessings,
    Lisa

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the kind words! I'll be sure to "hop" right over!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  8. Stopping by from Kristen's Creations -- love the transformation! You did a wonderful job.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Charlene - glad you "hopped" over! Hope you'll come back often (or better yet - follow along!)
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  9. From the 70's to present day! Love it so much!! xo

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    Replies
    1. thanks so much Katherine - I love "linking" up with you every week!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  10. Unbelievable transformation. Wow! Well done! I want my own Mountain Man. Where can I get one of those? ;-)

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    Replies
    1. I don't think there are many of them like him out there (at least it took me a long time to find this one! LOL) and I think I'll keep him.
      Thanks for the wonderful compliment and I'll be sure to tell him what you said!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  11. I love what your hubby has done and the shelving looks great Carol! As much as I like stonework I think the previous fireplace was so overbearing. Give hubby a pat on the back for a job well done.
    Have a great St.Pat's weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the kind comments - I told Mountain Man what you said and he says "Thank you!" too! Hope you'll visit again soon (or better yet, become a follower, please!)
      Thanks again!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  12. So beautiful! That sure looked like a ton of work..but the transformation is just wonderful. Megan

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Megan - the whole house reno was a LOT of work, but it was all so worth it. We are very happy with the way everything turned out! Thanks for stopping by!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  13. Saw your link at Addicted2Decorating and just wanted to comment on what an amazing transformation this is! That looks wonderful and is a completely different space now. Sharon

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Sharon - and thanks for stopping by - please come back and visit again!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  14. That is a fantastic redo! Wow! I love the new look!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Tonia for the kind remarks. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll come back often!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  15. This is awesome and amazing! I'm so glad you showed the before pics to appreciate the fabulous transformation. Your DH is a gem! Hope you visit, came from Potpourri Party.
    FABBY

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Fabby - and I agree, Mountain Man is a gem! I'll be sure to "hop" over for a visit!
      Thanks -
      Carol

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  16. That's truly an amazing transformation!

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  17. Great Job Carol! What a difference!

    Julie
    redheadcandecorate.com

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  18. Wow what a transformation. I get the older pictures thing. I didn't really have pictures of my house on the computer until I began blogging. Now I have more house than kid pics. :D Thanks for sharing on BeColorful
    pam

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    Replies
    1. Thanks - it is a transformation! I had the house pictures on my daughter's computer - but it crashed and there went the pictures - thank goodness I had prints! As far as having more pictures of the house than the kids - boy, are you talking to me! In fact, I have more pictures of the pups than the kids - but I have a feeling that will change once the grandbaby comes! Thanks Pam, and I'll be sure to share again next week!
      Hugs -
      Carol

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  19. what a transformation. thank you for linking it up and linking back to us!

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    Replies
    1. thank you for coming and visiting!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  20. Amazing job! I would love for you to link up at my linky party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-me-what-you-got-linky-party-6.html

    PS: I am your newest Linky Follower!

    Mrs. Delightful
    www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I would be happy to link up - thanks for asking!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  21. Soo much better!! Thank you for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  22. Awesome transformation! Thanks for sharing at Create & Inspire!

    Angie

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    Replies
    1. thanks so much Angie - I'm so glad that you liked our work!
      Hugs-
      Carol

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  23. Im so inspired on what you just show, Thanks a lot!

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