Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Fireplace Re-Do

I had the pleasure of chatting via email with Donna from the blog "Funky Junk Interiors" . And since Kevin is also redoing our fireplace right now, I thought I'd ask her if I could share her Fireplace re-do here on my blog, and then post ours when Kevin is done. She said yes, so here it is! You're going to LOVE this! :-)





A massive mantle was created out of "precision board". They went for a slightly whimsical feel by using a wire brush on a drill. Hand carving and a router were also used to create the look they were after...





After the carving of the mantle, Donna applied layers of paint and glaze to achieve a wood effect.

Heavy, metal corbels were created to cover the previously brick mantle supports. The massive new brackets bring the scale of the mantle down to the perfect proportion.



Donna didn't care for the square opening in the fireplace, so a curved metal insert was designed. It's removable, so if she wants to switch to gas at a later date, that will be a cinch...



Next, the measuring process for the upper part of the wall began...







The frame-work was created so the rock could be carried up all the way to the ceiling. Donna chose to use cultured stone, but said you could also choose fiberglass, reinforced hand-carved cement. The stone was placed right over top of the existing brick and on the new frame-work above the mantel...



Here's an example of the reinforced concrete Donna mentioned. The base was hand carved with the concrete to achieve the look of one solid rock. The result gives the fireplace more visual weight and is easier to sit on as well. The stone was treated to achieve the same color results as the rest of the rock...






Thanks for sharing your talents with us Donna! You and your fireplace are amazing!

PS...Kevin is working on both the Kitchen cabinets and the Fireplace, simultaneously, right now- but hopes to have the Kitchen Tutorial photos ready for me by Friday! :-)

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning,

What a great transformation, thanks for sharing...I saw you spent some time with Rhoda, hers was one of my first blogs...she is a doll !!

All the best,
Kathy :)

Shorty said...

What a beautiful remodel! I love the transformation!

Kelley said...

i love it!!! what is precision board? Is that real stone? is it heavy? oh how i want that in my home!! wow!!

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous! I love how rustic it is!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Holy cow! That's fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing with us. I can't wait to see your fireplace update.

schwadette said...

WOW - that's an incredible re-do! Looks great!! :)

My Galveston Cottage said...

You're right, this is wonderful! What a transformation. Love the DIY ideas. Oh gosh, they make it look so easy. Great post. thanks, -susan

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Thanks ladies! Donna here!

Precision board is a high density foam board used to create 3D signage. The board lasts much longer than wood through outdoor elements, is very dense and the thicker you use, the heavier it gets (the mantle weighed alot!) yet the most durable thing on earth. You can hand carve it as well as run it through a CNC router for the effect you desire.

The rock on the face of the fireplace is simply cultured stone you can buy anywhere, except for the base which was carved out of fiberglass reinforced concrete.

To tie in that metal look, I had the top of my island fabricated out of the same thing. It's pretty funky too!

Layla, can't wait to also see your transformation. :)

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors and Extreme Home Renos

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

Wow, what an incredible makeover!!! LOVE it! Can't wait to see yours, too!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Wow! Fantastic! Love it! What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing this!

Lori E said...

I have used the same cultered stone on my fireplace to replace the white brick/black grout mess that was there originally. I adds such a country feel to the room. It looks as good today as it did 8 years ago.
Nice job on yours Donna.

Anonymous said...

What a transformation! I love it and I am so excited to see what you all are doing to your cabinets!
Sarah

Dusty Devoe said...

WOW! Love it!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

Amazing! Simply amazing! I had no idea you could do that...

Maureen said...

Okay, that was unbelievable. My bottom jaw was on the floor as I scrolled down through your post.

Allidink said...

WOW that is really spectacular!

All the best,
Allison

Unknown said...

Beautiful....what a transformation!

Magic Brush said...

That is amazing!!!!

Kristi said...

Wow, what a transformation. I love that type of stone on a fireplace. My favorite type. Luckily we have my second favorite type in our home which is natural brick.

You are a lucky lady to have a hubby to be working so hard on the house! Make sure to take time out to enjoy each other too as he seems to travel quite a bit for his career!

Katy said...

That looks wonderful!!

Katy said...

Come by and see what I've been doing in my entry and hallway, it's not finished...just in the works. (a small project, but will hopefully look GREAT in the end)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Wow! What a transformation!

Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

I always say, when it comes to design, bigger is better! I love the heavy rustic look of the fireplace. Phenomenal!
~Misti

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

This is incredible!! I love it.
Wow! I'm just a little excited by this. :)
Thanks for showing us step by step.

Rachel said...

Wow, what a change! Thanks for sharing- now I'm not as "afraid" to do my fireplace makeover AND you've introduced me to another fun blog :o)

Love the new profile pic, too!

Have a Happy Day!
~Rachel

Merdena said...

Do you mind giving the details of your black cabinet paint color? I am repainting a console and I hope it turns out half as great as yours!!!

Unknown said...

Love the new look to the fireplace! Can't wait to see yours.

Carry Grace said...

Amazing Transformation!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Oh my goodness, that's amazing! Think they'd want to come over and redo my fireplace mantel? :)

Rochelle said...

That it an amazing transformation! Kudos to them!

Ness Lockyer said...

Wow! It looks great,
Ness xx

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Donna is visionary - to be able to look at her existing fireplace and know it could be something so different and charming! Thanks for sharing the process!

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

Layla,

This is my first visit to your blog, what a wonderful inspiring site you have!! I love before and afters and that one is fantastic! How unique!

I also loved the blue island that was featured on your friend Southern Hospitality's blog too! I've seen a lot of islands, but that one takes the cake :) gorgeous! I was wondering if it was still available? Is there anyway to contact that flea market you were at or the sales person?

I'll be back to visit often, you do beautiful work! Hugs, Cynthia

cindy said...

Now thats a transformation!

Anonymous said...

By jove, what lovely work. A nice addition to your home.

Unknown said...

It is amazing how much work a fireplace can take to redo. There are so many intricacies you don't pay attention to until you have to do it. Job well done!