I post on some other boards but have been lurking here a bit. In late spring 2015 we are purchasing my FIL's house and I've started the process of deciding what we will do to update it. It's a 4 bedroom split level with so many closets I could cry with joy. We've been in a town house years longer than planned and it has so little storage. I love that DS will have DH's old room and it's a great place for entertaining. The home was rebuilt in 1989 and I think some things are original to then, maybe even the carpets, but aside from being dated everything but the deck is in great shape.
My short list is removing the shower door on the tub, installing deadbolts, getting some color other than white on the walls, and getting DS's room and my sewing room furnished. I also want to add a mantel to the fireplace. Has anyone done this? I've seen some that are just large shelves but others that are added surrounds. I really want a place to hang stocking and add some seasonal decor.
This is the fireplace, not my decor. It's gray tile and gold in the door. It sticks out just a little from the rest of the wall. I hate the gold but could live with the tile. There are slabs of drywall that are making the lines in the wall. The room baseboards are all that golden color. Any ideas? Can I attach a shelf or do I have to worry about the chimney?
It's possible to paint the brass trim on the fireplace door with high heat black paint, that will neatly solve that problem. It's available as spray paint, it's a pretty simple project.
Yup! Did that with mine and used Rustoleum High Heat spray paint. Worked great!
The only pics I have right now are from my blog so ignore the fashion posing. But you can see the fireplace (and gold bars) in the back, before and after.
The fireplace screen is probably removable- you could lose it entirely if you want. I have a 1886 house that had one, I swapped it for a free standing screen.
A finish carpenter can build you a custome mantle from ready made components or a kit. It looks like you'd want to rock the wall above if you are looking more traditional. I'd probably tile over the bluestone surround because that seam in the middle makes me want to jam a fork in my head.
These are all awesome ideas! Thanks for giving me the right terms too. I agree on the bluestone, not a big fan and now I keep looking at the seam too. If I'm remembering correctly it has glass doors not a screen.
I hadn't thought of spray paint. That will be a quick change over. I think most likely we'll do a short term change with a shelf and plan something bigger once we are in the house longer. We may put in hardwood and that would impact the decision. Plus FIL loves that fireplace and thinks the clock is the best thing ever so don't want to completely change one of his favorite parts of the house as soon as we get in. He's leaving us furniture but I'm making sure that clock goes with him.