Thursday, April 17, 2014

Easy Fireplace Mantel Facelift


Ever since having little Jessica outside of my body, I've had a lot more energy to do things around the house that I just didn't feel up to doing in the last trimester. And I'm getting so much done! Most of my projects are things I was staring at while lying around the house and taking it easy through all the Braxton-Hicks. This DIY was one of those.

I've never loved our fireplace surround and mantel, but figured that the taupe-colored paint over the stone was better than whatever color the natural stone used to be in our 1970s home (I'm thinking browns and oranges). Michael and I also think that it's way too big for the room, but until we can tear it down and eventually build a smaller wooden surround and mantel, and also put in a nicer gas insert, I thought a new coat of paint would be a good facelift!

I chose a white paint as I really prefer mantels to be white; it goes with whatever color is on the walls. As we want to eventually paint the walls in this room, the taupe-ish color on the stone would greatly limit what color we could put on the walls. We had some leftover white gloss from painting our baseboards. So, along with that and a leftover brush, I went to work. 


It took me about 3 days of baby Jessica's naptimes, a neckache, and a completely obliterated paintbrush later, and what a wonderful end result! It totally changes the feel of the room, and brightens up the space. I pretty much love it. And the price was right...free. The best kind of DIY project in my opinion!

5 comments:

  1. I love it! You did a fantastic job. It's amazing what a coat of paint can do.

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    1. Thanks Shantel! You're right, something so simple...yet such a big difference!

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  2. It looks great! I must say that the white fireplace/mantel in my home is one of the reasons I love that particular room in my house. I think it is just so eye-catching. You did a great job. Can't wait to see it in person. It makes such a good focal point to the room.

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    1. It was done way before the baby blessing, so you must've missed it when you came over that weekend.

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    2. I was only in the living room once that whole weekend so I didn't even notice it. I'll be sure to look the next time I'm there. It does look great!

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