The client had inherited a flush marble tile faced fireplace with no mantel. Stopgap measures included experimenting with a unique screen (didn't go too far!) and settling for hanging a couple of oil paintings from France over the opening and hoping it didn't attract too much attention to itself.
fireplace, afterwards
With tiny budget, we were able to create an elegant fireplace surround and mantel, and place a wonderful Empire style gilt mirror over the mantel. We bought the mirror at a local thrift store for $12.00, then with a few cents' worth of gesso and $9.00 in gold leaf from Michael's, we created a gorgeous gold-leafed mirror for $21.00. A friend arrived and guessed the mirror had cost $1200 so we knew we had succeeded!
The mantel was found at the local building materials salvage yard for $75.00. It was sanded and prepped for priming and painting, then mounted on the fireplace surround for a perfect fit and a wonderful nod to Louis XV in design.
Total cost: Mirror: $21.00, Mantel $75 plus paint and labor to attach to wall (about $125 here in the Bay Area) Total: $221. and change.
What do you think?
fireplace, before
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in 2010, it's:
for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic
Chic Provence Interior Design
Very nice! I cannot believe the bargains used to spruce it up! I thought that mirror was way more expensive. You did a marvelous job!
ReplyDeleteHI Stephanie thanks for stopping, I'll go by your blog in a bit..I've been away for a few days..whew! lot's of catching up to do!
ReplyDeleteKit
Hi Kit...what a fabulous job! Like how the taller, rounded corner mirror works with the slant roof, too. XO Trish
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Clever! What does the gesso do?
ReplyDeleteHI Trish how are you? Thanks! I'll see your blog soon...I've been quite away busy working!
ReplyDeleteK
HI Julie! Gesso is wonder stuff from Italian Renaissance days...white liquid made from hooves or something...it paints on, preps canvases for oil painting..but also works wonders with furniture to prep it or I've even seen it painted onto wood then distressed and left as the finish...
ReplyDeletebon nuit!
It looks really pretty. Great job. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and love the fact that it cost next to nothing even more!
ReplyDeleteA bientot,
Leeann x
What a nice project! The new fireplace looks much better than the old one. The mirror is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow-absolutely amazing. Did you use Liquid Leaf? A fabulous job.
ReplyDeleteWOW I cannot believe the bargains, I can never find anything that cheap....you need to come over and re-do my mantle too ;) Love the transformation :) Great work! Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove those bargains, love all that color!
ReplyDeleteJo
The mirror looks gorgeous. I really love the colours as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Gwen, Leeann and Simony, thanks for visiting and your very kind remarks!
ReplyDeletexx
Kit
Hi Beth, thanks..I used gold leaf sheets from Michaels..the thicker mil...you apply it over an adhesive and you use a sable brush to get it to stick into crevices, etc...it's really fun to use, you would love it! I think I downloaded great instructions somewhere if you want them
ReplyDeletexx
Kit
Hi Corine, no problem, I'll do your mantel too! Thanks so much for visiting!
ReplyDeletexx
Kt
Hi Jo and John, thanks for the visit...and John the colors just seem to sing!
ReplyDeletexx
Kit
Looks tons better!!!!!!!Love the white a very inspiring idea!!!!!!!Maryanne xo
ReplyDeleteHey Maryanne thanks my sweet! see you soon, I'm hopping over to your blog now!
ReplyDeletexx
Kit
Looks great! I love the after.
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
Fantastic job.. I love the new looks and its cost
ReplyDeleteHI FringeGirl, and Melanie! thanks so much for visiting & your kind comments..this was a fun project!
ReplyDeletexx
Kit