Living Room Redo – Fireplace Makeover

 

‘Why fix it if it’s not broken’ may have come to the minds of some when I announced I decided to redo most of my living room. While certainly not broken or in need of repair, I must confess that my living room just hasn’t sat right with me. Even after installing new flooring and rolling 8 gallons of paint on the walls, the ceiling, even the fireplace, my living room wasn’t giving me that ‘wow’ factor I’d been craving over the past year and a half since we bought this house.

  

I am a firm believer in allowing your decorating vision to unfold itself over time, which at times can add up to a painfully slow wait (especially when you want everything yesterday), but it is extremely rewarding when you find that just perfect piece, instead of settling for anything less. So the living room has been a progressive, time taking process, slowly coming to fruition.

  

The very first step in my living room redo was to focus on the fireplace, as it is the focal point of the room. I decided to use my all time favorite stain, Varathane {do you see the can and brush, on the hearth below?} This is the ‘before’…

  

  

And this is the ‘after’. The mantle was actually a gift from my dear friend Laurie. She had lent it to us for our holiday party, and I guess she could tell by the sparkle in my eye {and my pouty bottom lip} how much I loved it. Next thing I knew, we were the proud new owners of a gorgeous mantle. She is so generous!

  

  

Another ‘before’ shot, this is the right side of our fireplace, a built in bookshelf, in all it’s boredom...

  

  

And here is the ‘after’. I love how the Varathane frames the bookshelf and emphasizes my stacks of old leather books.

  

  

My mantle vignette. The mercury glass bird, silver trophy cup and stack of books are all flea market finds…

  

  

The roses are from my garden…

  

  

More trophy cups from my collection, a stack of very old books, and a 1950 horse prize ribbon, also flea market finds…

  

  

I love all the various forms of texture in front of the mantle. A metal clam digging basket from New England, a collection of fresh firewood, and a nubby antique blanket…

  

  

So let’s recap our living room progress up to this point, shall we? The photo below was taken the day we bought this house, 1 1/2 years ago…

  

  

And with lots of trial and a couple error in between, here is where we are at today….

  

        

Stay tuned for details about our industrial factory cart coffee table, and more living room updates…