Burnt Out to Burnin’ Up

Has keeping the home fires burning left your fireplace a little burnt out?  After a long cold winter of servitude it could probably use some TLC.  So c’mon baby, relight its fire! Here are a few rejuvenating update ideas to fan the flames.

Even though it had a charming brick face, Sarah’s fireplace just looked flat worn out. Plus all the charm in the world couldn’t overcome that awkward off-centered position, especially with the too tiny window in the mix.  What to do?  How about paint the brick, add a new mantle and surround, build it up, out, and around, and turn the whole wall into one cohesive fireplace/storage/TV/unit of luv?  That’s what I would do.  You know, if Sarah hadn’t thought of it first.

See more on Sarah’s blog LA LA Land

Or what if you have a fireplace, but no need for a fire? (I know, I know, technically this is not a fireplace). But it looks like one, and sometimes us non-fireplace-havers really just want one, even if it’s a fake one, for no other reason than to decorate it. You know how that goes, right?  Because some people don’t understand that at all.  (ahemhusbandahem). Merill at Girl of A Thousand Dreams took her faux mantle one step further and built bookshelves inside.  Now no one can give her any flak for that!

And this last fireplace used to be nothing more than a clunky black hole.  It could have even been mistaken for one those really old big screen TVs. But this TV only got two channels: Fire and No Fire.  However, thanks to Amy’s magic touch and her husband’s building skills, it’s now its the showpiece of the entire sitting room, which got a super sophisticated makeover as well.  Check it all out on Amy’s blog Playing Sublimely. 

Speaking of Amy, you may remember her homeschool room makeover recently featured, and if you’re a looong time reader, you might even remember her palatial pantry makeover as well.  It’s been so fun to watch her home transform over the years!  Man, I’ve been doing this a while.