How'd She Do That?

Edit: Please note that the date on this post was in 2010.
We sold this home in 2013,
and have since moved to a new home!
Thanks for all the kind words and comments,
they are always appreciated!
You may look all you want,
just know that the details are getting fuzzy in my head!
Thank You!


Do-It-Yourself Fireplace

From This:

To This:

This cost less than $100 to do,

and It made a Huge Difference!

[I'm not counting the flooring,

Because we are putting that throughout the main level]

First,

I Primed the Mantle,

Using a High Hiding Primer-

I Use that on EVERYTHING,

So, its just what I had on hand.

Then I Used Kettle Black by Valspar in Satin finish,

I believe I did Two Coats.

Then I Sanded the Edges,

and Where I wanted More

Depth/Definition.

I Really Need to Put a

Clear Protective Coat on it,

But I haven't Done that Yet.

So just for Future Reference,

I'm going to do it.

In Fact, Pretend I Already Did,

that will save me the time.

Then came the brick.

Which, since it required REMOVING

the Mantle,

I may have done it the

Other Way Around,

Brick First, Then Mantle.

Brick was much cheaper

Than I had Thought,

and Since this was a Small area,

I didn't need many bricks.

I used a THIN-CUT Brick,

It's a full size Brick,

that's been cut to

only abou 1/2 inch Thickness.

I'll summarize the brick process,

and if you want more details,

let me know.

Summary Follows:

Remove Tile,

Repair Drywall damage,

Staple "chicken Wire"

Apply Thin-Set Mortar

Dry 24 hours

Then use Mortar and Stick those Bricks On,

Let Dry,

Fill in Cracks,

Pray Nothing Falls Off.

[Very Important]

Wah-La!