Tuesday, August 18, 2009

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.

55 comments:

Millers! said...

HOLY SPACEBALLS! Seriously.. thats incredible!

The Lehnick Family said...

You AMAZE me!!!! I wish I had a little bit of your creativity and will to just do it! I'm always afraid I am going to mess up!

3girlsmom said...

puking again!

Brittany Ann said...

I love love LOVE the wood paneling above your fireplace, I'm trying to decide if I can do something similar in my house....I don't think I can...dang it!

HeatherIsHere said...

Dude.

How did you attach the wood paneling to the brick? Also, do you use high gloss for all your wood trim? And is it just basic white or do you have a certain shade you prefer? And do you measure everything out before you buy, or do you just find out what you need to do as you go along? It is so lovely.

Well done Rebecca.

Rebekah said...

Impressive!!

Tiffani Makely said...

you make it look so easy! I wish I could do something half that creative!

Anonymous said...

Great ideas and funny commentary! I am a friend of Heather's in Florida and she sends me alerts to your "pukefests", as she calls them, often. So glad she does - such creativity! You are a stitch!
Mary Beth

Kim said...

OK, I'm officially impressed.

LacyHolly said...

That is awesome! Looks great!!! If I had a cruddy fireplace...I'd hire you to fix it up for me : )

Leanne said...

I luvvvve it! You did an amazing job. Wow, I can't get over how great it looks.

Lisa said...

Ok. I have to come out of lurkdom for this post! I love ALL the things you do, but this one takes the cake. I can't remember where I found you, but I'm not sorry that I did! Awesome!

jennifer said...

i had to come back a second time to see your beautiful handiwork (and read the moto moto song lyrics - we LOVE that song around here!)

i wish you could come teach a miter saw class in my garage. you make it look so easy.

Pollock Palooza said...

Ha ha ha!! Ha ha! Got it. I got it now. Big chunky, that's funny. Is that raffia cream and florescent white? He he. I making fun, because my fire place is lam-ER than lame. And yours is... well it's pure eye pleasantness! Love it!

Allison Evans Brown said...

HOLY CRAP GIRL! I love it!! I fuh-reakin' love it!! I'm shocked at the awesome-ness! You're so brave too. I would've wanted to do that but would've thought, "Naw, I can't. I don't have the right tools (other than the fact that my neighbor has them plus some)." I must be a wuss. I also worry that the end project would turn out all cruddy too.

Dang girl...DANG!

Allison Evans Brown said...

Oh yeah, and it looks WAY better than your inspiration.

Shilo said...

AWESOME! wow!

Heidi said...

WOW - what a difference!! I love the paneling! The Moto Moto reference gave me a chuckle as well. ;)

K&MSilva said...

mmmm, big & chunky :) I like it. It really makes the clock "pop". One day when I grow up & get a house, you'll be my interior helper. You accept cash right?

Carrie said...

I LOVE IT! That's amazing...and your writing is hilarious!

Captured by Love said...

Great makeover!!!

Joy said...

Wow, that updates the entire room! You had a great vision and it turned out beautifully!

Sunny said...

Coming by from ASPTL..

That made a HUGE impact! Looks awesome!

sara said...

That looks so good and you made it look WAY too easy!

the queen said...

awesomeness! looks waaaaaaay better (not that before was all that bad)

Heather at Happy Chippy Junk said...

Awwweeee so much better!! Now you need to paint the bottom brick out WHITE!!!

Crystal said...

I love it, what a huge transformation!

I have a poll up on my blog about my BIGGEST decor dilemma. Come on over and vote, I need all the help I can get!

http://imnomartha.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-poll-ever-to-paint-or-not-to.html

Erin said...

wow! HUGE improvement!

Jenn said...

Absolutely Stunning!!!

southerninspiration said...

Now THAT blows my mind.....totally amazing!!! I LOVE IT!!

Suzanne

came by at the mention of your re-do by Kimba......sooo glad I did.

Grits414 said...

That looks amazing!!! Great job!!!

Kristen, The Pajama Mama said...

Just saw Kimba's mention of your project-wowza is right! great job!!!

ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie said...

Wonderful! Will you come over and do my fireplace next? :)

Amy

Jamie said...

Very nice! We are about to tackle our fireplace soon, and now you've given me some great motivation!

Julie said...

Check you out! Featured on a BIG TIME blog! Go girl. And your DIY project had me thinking you are amazing! Like really super talented wish I could be you amazing! Hope you are feeling all, well you know I had an hour to kill so I re-worked my fireplace -GOOD

Anna See said...

I am in love! I am bookmarking this right now for inspiration.

Laura said...

WOW!

Becky said...

that is what i call a makeover. the highest honor from our camp will now be given....we call it *stands with golf clap*.

great job! and awesome commentary. love it!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Woa... congrats on the awesome fireplace! And the feature! Doesn't it feel great to be featured?!?

Donna

Victoria said...

Wow, it does look amazing! Great job!

New Every Morning said...

Holy Giant Corbels, Batman!
This is beautiful!!!

Jennifer Juniper said...

You win the big balls award for actually attacking that brick on top. It took some guts, but turned out fantastic!

Melanie said...

Just hopped over from Nester's blog & I'm SO super-duper excited to see this transformation because we just bought a new (OLD) house with a couple of fireplaces that look a LOT like your before! Thanks for the most awesome ideas! LOVE the way you bulked it up, the end result is fantastic!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Wow, that is amazing! So pretty!

Lisa said...

Wow.What a transformation! I love it.

Tanya said...

What a great job! I love it.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

That is an awesome mantel redo! What vision you had on that.

Rhoda

Tracey said...

Gorgeous!!! Way to go, I wish I had an eye like that.

Amy Jo said...

AWESOME! I love what you did!

Krista Gage said...

Holy Cow Rebecca!!! WOW!

Georgia Josies said...

LOVE IT!! Can I ask where you purchased your clock from??

tipsygirl said...

Just came over from Kimba's
Great work on the fireplace re-do - seriously!!

and I love your writing style :-p

Brenda said...

I've been trying to decide what to do with my own fireplace for MONTHS. This is exactly what I wanted but couldn't visualize for myself. Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

It is rather interesting for me to read this article. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

alanna rose said...

Looks excellent - someone just sent me a link to your post because I am focusing on my fireplace/mantle right now, and I love it! I really think I might have to steal the corbel idea, it would add a lot to my mantle. Thanks!