I Like 'Em Big. I Like 'Em Chunky.

Yep - Moto Moto was my first inspiration.

This was my second. And this was my third.

I got my early anniversary present, but can you tell what time it is with all the brick showin' through? Nope. Which means that the fireplace project that had been low on the list of priorities had officially moved from "want" to "necessity." Shucks.

All that tongue in groove paneling hanging out on my garage floor with all the extra shopping bags waiting to be recycled and spilled kitty litter got put to work. Cut down.

That's right wood -you're goin' down.

I didn't even have the decency to take it out of the packaging.

Hammered it up,added some trim on the top to hide any *ahem* imperfections, and two coats of paint, and I'd call 'er done.

Yeah right.

Here's where things get big....and plumpy....and round...with somethin' somethin'.

Okay, maybe not the round part.

The scrawny little mantel was being completely upstaged by the delicious-ness up top. Since size does matter...or so I've heard...Some pieces of 2 x 4 mounted onto the little stair steppy things so that I can nail this bad boy up and then add some trim

and paint it all out.

and then I'm done. At least I would be if I wasn't going for pure and utter awesomeness.

Got these corbels at Home Depot for $7.97

but in this case the small price tag is because they aren't very wide. And since we need to go big or go home

they got fattened up for winter with some scraps from the dining room adventure.

Hooked 'em on

then nailed 'em in.

A bit more paint, and voila.

Ugly original.

Lame Then. Sexy Now.

Awww yeah.