Fireplace Mantel Progress

We've had some big wins in the fireplace department lately. Remember how I wanted something more traditional for the mantel, but with cleaner lines? This image from House and Home was my loose inspiration.

 photo showhome-study.jpg

 photo IMG_5835.jpg

Jason worked on framing out the fireplace surround for me while I went to Home Depot to figure out trim to make the new mantel with.

 photo aIMG_7199.jpg

I want a really rounded out molding - something to mimic the curves of the inspiration image's mantel. I felt like I was sort of striking out, until I spotted this hand rail. The rod had been planed so that there was a flat surface on one side - perfect for getting the look of that rounded, tube-looking molding that also sits flat.

 photo IMG_7215.jpg

I picked up a few other moldings - some crown and chair rail - and also some of this smaller circular trim below, which gives the effect of a rounded beading. We used a small pinner nail gun to hang the molding after cutting it to size with a miter saw.

 photo IMG_7291.jpg

 photo IMG_7274.jpg

 photo IMG_7272.jpg

We built up the outside of the mantel with trim and molding so it would stick out more than the inner-most frame of the mantel.

 photo aDSC_0494.jpg

 photo IMG_7308.jpg

You can get a better sense of the angles of the mantel frame by looking at the floors here above. It's pretty subtle right now, which I like and I wanted, but I think once the mantel is painted it will look really special. I love it.

 photo IMG_7304.jpg

 photo IMG_7300.jpg

I'm working on filling the nail holes today and prepping for the paint job the whole fireplace will be getting soon. And actually the whole room needs to be painted (especially that ceiling) before we hang the sconces and the tv. Also, I still need to go shopping for some dark stone remnants for the firebox surround. We're quite a few steps away from finished here, but I am crazy-excited to have this much accomplished! Project progress is so good for my soul.

 photo IMG_7298.jpg

36 comments:

  1. this fireplace is going to be gorgeous! I can't wait to see.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love it!! Can't wait to see it painted!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So smart using the handrail. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? It will look amazing. Can't wait to see the final product!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the shapes--I think it's going to turn out amazing.

    My husband and I bought a house in mid-June and I am not a fan of our huge, bulky fireplace surround (complete with cherry stain that matches/coordinates absolutely nothing else on the entire first floor) so I'm loving this project of yours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. The transformation so far is stunning! I never would have thought of using all those separate pieces to make a single moulding. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It just looks fantastic - go you for putting it all together so cleverly! So completely thrilled to see all your progress!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the clean, modern direction your going in with your fireplace. And the discovery of the handrail? Destiny!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looking fantastic! Love the clean modern lines with a nod to the traditional as well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your fireplace project! I too, am a '40% into a project, lets start another!' kind of girl.

    We have ripped our kitchen out... no cabinets or kitchen sink for three weeks and counting, and my boyfriend is watching me like a hawk to make sure I'm not moving on to something else. Cabinet guys are supposed to start on Monday... crossing our fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  10. that is a seriously amazing transformation and it's not even done yet! I can't wait to see it! Love your blog! Genious!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the sophisticated simplicity of it! I'm so glad you chose to echo the more traditional style of the house, while still keeping it sleek and somewhat modern. Looking good!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It really looks good! Nicely done working out the shaping like that! That fireplace is going to be stunning.

    I do love how Robert Downey Jr. is photo bombing your inspriation photo. It makes me smile every time.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love this so much! We have a double-sided fireplace between our open living and dining room with a very similar firebox. It had a hideous 80s PINK tile surround when we moved in, which we ripped out and my husband patched the drywall. It has been sitting with the bare drywall for a year now. I am so ready to make it pretty, but we have been stuck in indecision. I can't wait to show him your fireplace for inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  14. When you mentioned Home Depot for trim, I was thinking "is this woman crazy?" And then I remembered what blog I was reading :) I have a fireplace that has almost the same profile, except that it is concrete or some other man made stone-ish substance. I've always has second thought about it, but after seeing your inspiration images, I feel a lot better about my choice. Unlike you, who seems to be working at the speed of light, I should get my room pulled togther in the next 10 years or so ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. You are so clever, with the handrail! I too was after a slightly traditional mantel but with fairly clean lines, simple detail really. We too went with a rounded shape also. {www.thepinkzipper.blogspot.ca}

    ReplyDelete
  16. It is looking so amazing! I really admire your hard work and determination. The tediousness of all of those nail holes and seams would be the death of me! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is phenomenal. An amazing difference, and while I generally don't like the Tv above, int this case, I think it will be great. It looks really good in the inspiration photo.
    One ?: now that you've beefed up the molding in the passageways, are you planning to do the same in the rest of the rooms? It would look great, but a lot of work.
    Cant' wait to see the finished paintwork.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful! Are you sure it's in code? We have to have so many inches of non flammable material (tile/ brick) surround the firebox.

    ReplyDelete
  19. You're moving right along. Loving the progress. Definitely good for the soul :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. progress is beautiful... code question has me a bit worried but hopefully your carpenter is aware of the regulations in your neck of the woods!!!
    keep us posted .... trim is beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are such a pro at mixing mouldings. It's going to look amazing once you've painted.

    http://www.fullbellywornsoles.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. The moulding is gorgeous and it's not even painted! Love it! Quick question... I see you have a niche for the TV. Where are you planning on keeping your components? I have a similar situation on my fireplace wall and my wires come out of the wall to the side. I've been trying to think of a clean, creative way to hide those ugly black boxes and wires. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good luck stone shopping - your progress so far is beautiful! I recently built out a mantle around our fireplace and used a honed absolute black granite for the surround (Nero Assoluto)... Couldn't be happier!

    ReplyDelete
  24. this is amazing...you are not messing around. love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. It looks so pretty! Can't wait to see the end result. Love the lines!
    xo
    hooper

    ReplyDelete
  26. It is great! I can't wait to see it complete. You are an inspiration for a home renovator (only wish I had the DIY skills!)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love it. Next time will you post a picture of the side of the layers of molding where it fits to the wall. I can't quite figure out how the different pieces attach to one another and the wall.

    I can't get over how speedy and talented you are! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Betty from Ontario Canada - You two have a wonderful way of working together and I congratulate you on that. The fireplace will be stunningly beautiful and once you pick out the stone if will be more so.Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh my goodness I love your inventiveness!! Make it work! :) Anyway, I noticed in the inspiration image there is another chunky ledge/shelf of moulding sitting across the top edge creating the "mantel" area... do you plan to do that as well or leave more plain? Just curious... either way it looks smashing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh my goodness I love your inventiveness!! Make it work! :) Anyway, I noticed in the inspiration image there is another chunky ledge/shelf of moulding sitting across the top edge creating the "mantel" area... do you plan to do that as well or leave more plain? Just curious... either way it looks smashing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your house is beautiful.
    The fireplace kinda reminds me of the new house Kim Kardashian and Kayne West are doing up. They even have a tv over the fireplace.
    Did you see the pics?
    Also your staircase is similar and they have similar herringbone light wooden floors?
    http://js.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2419373/Kim-Kardashian-Kanye-West-roll-Lamborghini-inspect-construction-11m-Bel-Air-mansion.html

    ReplyDelete

I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)