25 March 2010

A Fireplace Makeover: A Small Before & After


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







.........................................


in 2010, it's:


Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design


22 comments:

  1. 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!

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  2. HI 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!

    Kit

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  3. Hi Kit...what a fabulous job! Like how the taller, rounded corner mirror works with the slant roof, too. XO Trish

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  4. Gorgeous! Clever! What does the gesso do?

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  5. HI Trish how are you? Thanks! I'll see your blog soon...I've been quite away busy working!

    K

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  6. 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...

    bon nuit!

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  7. It looks really pretty. Great job. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Great job and love the fact that it cost next to nothing even more!

    A bientot,

    Leeann x

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  9. What a nice project! The new fireplace looks much better than the old one. The mirror is beautiful!

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  10. Wow-absolutely amazing. Did you use Liquid Leaf? A fabulous job.

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  11. WOW 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.

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  12. Love those bargains, love all that color!

    Jo

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  13. The mirror looks gorgeous. I really love the colours as well.

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  14. Hi Gwen, Leeann and Simony, thanks for visiting and your very kind remarks!

    xx

    Kit

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  15. 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

    xx

    Kit

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  16. Hi Corine, no problem, I'll do your mantel too! Thanks so much for visiting!

    xx

    Kt

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  17. Hi Jo and John, thanks for the visit...and John the colors just seem to sing!

    xx
    Kit

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  18. Looks tons better!!!!!!!Love the white a very inspiring idea!!!!!!!Maryanne xo

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  19. Hey Maryanne thanks my sweet! see you soon, I'm hopping over to your blog now!
    xx
    Kit

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  20. Looks great! I love the after.

    -FringeGirl

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  21. Fantastic job.. I love the new looks and its cost

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  22. HI FringeGirl, and Melanie! thanks so much for visiting & your kind comments..this was a fun project!

    xx

    Kit

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I would love to hear what you think! merci!

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