When I say "we" built a new mantel, what I really mean is my friend Chelsea and I built a new mantel.
Be. Hold.
This was a project I tacked onto our 2016 To-Do list that I figured we'd maybe get to juuuuust in time to hang stockings on it come next Christmas. But then a few weeks ago Chelsea and I were chatting about projects (psst, she's a DIY blogger too) and I casually mentioned my mantel dreams and then a few days later she emailed me and asked me if she could help me build it for her web show (I was like "WHOA...YES!") and then she said maybe we could do it the next Friday (and I was like "OH MAN! That's really soon and I have no idea what I want quite yet and the kids and no babysitter and and and...but how do I pass that up??!! YES, FRIDAY IS GREAT!!!) So she came, she saw, she conquered...and I followed her every direction because little 'ole me has never even used a circular saw but she told me she'd teach me. Ha! Anyway, the best part of all is that you can watch the WHOLE VIDEO of how it was built over on her blog! I hope it'll inspire you to go out, grab some wood, and build your very own. Let's ditch the curvy/old/not-our-style for the sleek together, shall we?
Speaking of...
I'm so happy to be rid of that thing. The color, the shape; everything about it had me at good-bye.
I'll have more details later on the whole living room because I pretty much spent all of last week tweaking here and there so that our new mantel had a chic-er place to reside but for now, check out the video!
And just to pound in how much better it looks:
. . .
Quick side note: In case you noticed, we decided to replace the rectangular molding at the top with crown molding post-project. The previous molding was great and the easiest to build onto the mantel but we wanted to add a little bit of traditional to the modern, clean lines so we just cut some crown molding and put it up right where that other molding was. :)
Call me crazy, but I liked the old mantel. :) However, the new one is fabulous! Great job as always!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I love your honesty Lisa and I don't think you're crazy! I know that not everyone thinks exactly like me. But really, it wasn't that bad and pretty nice compared to some I've seen. I just really love my new one. :)
DeleteWell how boring would it be if we were all the same?! ;)
DeleteA truer statement has probably never been said. :)
DeleteVery cool! Every thought of painting the brick white?
ReplyDeleteI have Gertrud! :) I like the way you think! But after painting the walls white I feel like it'd be too much white and the chimney would kinda get lost, even if we just white-washed it. Plus, when I brought up the idea to Anthony awhile back, he gave me a firm no. :) The natural look of the brick has grown on me though and it's the same brick that's on part of the front of our house so I feel like potential buyers someday might like it.
DeleteLove it!!! Your new one looks very similar to the one we have in our house (although I haven't been home in awhile, so I could be crazy.). Ours started off white, and we painted it black (which I thought would look terrible but my husband convinced me to try...and it made it look 1000 better...). Anyway, I REALLY want to try this, and I bet it would look amazing with your grey! Plus, you're braver and craftier than I, so can you just try this and let me know how it goes?!? ;-). Or come to my house and and spearhead the project? You can even baby gate your kiddos with mine in the playroom...your twins can babysit! http://www.11magnolialane.com/2015/02/02/how-to-paint-your-fireplace-brick-surround/
ReplyDeleteJacqueline McNulty (never commented on a blog...no idea if you'll see this!)
Oh my gosh! First of all, thanks for the laugh. You are too funny.
DeleteSecond, a black mantel?! I love the idea! It must look fantastic! And painting the brick! Honestly, I would never want to do that but hers looks amazing and makes me think maybe I should! I love how it looks like marble almost! Definitely pinning it! And, if you were a stones throw away, I'd be over there in a heart beat painting brick with you...I'd even bring the baby gate. ;)