F i r e p l a c e : Main Floor

 

       When we moved in five years ago, one of the things we liked about our new, drafty home in beautiful but fearfully cold Alaska were the gas fireplaces; one on the main level and one in the master bedroom. But the rock facade encasing them was truly hideous and wildly dated, complete with BLACK GROUT.  On a daring day during the first year or so I painted them both pale blue, and it was a slight improvement, but only slight. 

    Last month Tony had some unplanned days off, so we set a budget and re-did the first fireplace. I use the term "we" in such a loose manner... my job was limited to cheerleading.
I wish I had thought to take an actual before picture, but I'm not that together.
Maybe next time.

     Everyone getting in on the action, even Naomi who is less than two! She makes up for her diminutive stature by making a lot of noise.

        So this is the closest thing I've got to a Before shot- but as you can see, Tony had already built the box for the base, and even that was an improvement over the old one, which was, as I mentioned,  Truly Hideous.

 It was so gorgeous outside that day... thick white frost everywhere and the islands on the lake hazed in mist. I love this view and use any excuse to take a picture of it.

    Here it is again, a slightly different angle. I told you I loved it!

   There's Tony, fitting the mantel. He made it with a chainsaw mill out of a spruce tree from down our hill. He's amazing.

Finishing touches...

And there it is! Hooray! The plan is to paint it Swan Wing white except the spruce mantel which we'll leave rough; but the natural wood looked so warm and pretty we're leaving it all for now. 

And the best part? The whole thing was less than $100!! Yet another thing I love about having a carpenter/artist for a husband.