Fireplace

 ....done...done...done...another one bites the dust!

Let's check this one off the list.   Fireplace is finally complete.   This one I will rank in the challenging project category.

To remind you, this is what I started with.  Ugly fireplace with 4 tiles that stuck out like a sore thumb.   I hated the fireplace so much I even thought about taking all the stone out.   

First added a beautiful gas fireplace insert....thanks to my wonderful son in New Hampshire.   

Then I started tackling those squares.    I had no idea what was behind them.    Well I quickly found out they were vents that had pieces of slate in them and they weren't sturdy enough to drill into.  I had to build a frame with 2 x 4s to attach the brackets for my mantle.  

Once I built the frames I mounted plumbing pipes.  Ended up going back to the store 3 different times.  The mantle is live edge so one end needed to be a bit longer than the other.  

Then the challenge of getting stone that would kind of match what is already there.   Well I found some stone and had Johanna dry brush it for me. She did a great job and can add a new painting technique to her resume.

She also helped me by breaking up the rock to fit.   This video is priceless.

Next step was to glue the rocks to the wall with mortar.

Then it's grout and we are good to go.

It's actually starting to look like a fireplace.  

Add the mantle!   (BTW pictures don't do the mantle justice.   It's live edge red cedar and beautiful.

View from the top.

...and view from the bottom.  

A few decorations and WALLAH!   

It's finished......Oh, and I'm kind of liking all that rock I wanted to rip out.