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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
this fireplace is going to be gorgeous! I can't wait to see.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! Can't wait to see it painted!
ReplyDeleteLove the mouldings! Great job!
ReplyDeleteSo smart using the handrail. Necessity is the mother of invention, right? It will look amazing. Can't wait to see the final product!
ReplyDeleteLove the shapes--I think it's going to turn out amazing.
ReplyDeleteMy 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. :)
The transformation so far is stunning! I never would have thought of using all those separate pieces to make a single moulding. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt just looks fantastic - go you for putting it all together so cleverly! So completely thrilled to see all your progress!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteLove the clean, modern direction your going in with your fireplace. And the discovery of the handrail? Destiny!
ReplyDeleteLooking fantastic! Love the clean modern lines with a nod to the traditional as well.
ReplyDeleteI love your fireplace project! I too, am a '40% into a project, lets start another!' kind of girl.
ReplyDeleteWe 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!
that is a seriously amazing transformation and it's not even done yet! I can't wait to see it! Love your blog! Genious!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteIt really looks good! Nicely done working out the shaping like that! That fireplace is going to be stunning.
ReplyDeleteI do love how Robert Downey Jr. is photo bombing your inspriation photo. It makes me smile every time.
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.
ReplyDeleteWhen 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 ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou 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}
ReplyDeleteIt 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! :)
ReplyDeleteLooking good!
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteOne ?: 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.
Beautiful! Are you sure it's in code? We have to have so many inches of non flammable material (tile/ brick) surround the firebox.
ReplyDeleteYou're moving right along. Loving the progress. Definitely good for the soul :)
ReplyDeleteprogress is beautiful... code question has me a bit worried but hopefully your carpenter is aware of the regulations in your neck of the woods!!!
ReplyDeletekeep us posted .... trim is beautiful
You are such a pro at mixing mouldings. It's going to look amazing once you've painted.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fullbellywornsoles.com
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?
ReplyDeleteGood 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!
ReplyDeletethis is amazing...you are not messing around. love it!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so pretty! Can't wait to see the end result. Love the lines!
ReplyDeletexo
hooper
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!)
ReplyDeleteLove 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.
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how speedy and talented you are! :)
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.
ReplyDeleteOh 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!!!
ReplyDeleteOh 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!!!
ReplyDeleteYour house is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe 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