September 13, 2007
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As you can see, the fireplace that the contractor built was butt-ugly. They slapped up some tile and used a crappy pre-fab mantlepiece - no imagination. When we'd build a fire in this thing, most of the heat was lost because the tile didn't warm up at all. The tile on the floor never warmed, it was just too far away from the source so not only was this thing ugly, it was inefficient.
Approximately two years later, I'd had enough. It was cold outside and I needed a project so I began tearing the old fireplace out. The first thing to go was the mantlepiece and it went straight into the table saw then into the fireplace; at least it was good for something. We made a couple of trips to the masonry supplier before we settled on the brick we wanted.
I made some pretty horrendous holes in the wall when I removed the tile so my first task was to repair the drywall. For this project, it didn't matter that my drywalling skills suck, it was all going to be behind the brick.
I chisled the tile off the floor, did some math to get the arch I wanted, constructed a form out of scrap wood, and got busy laying the bricks.
This picture is really dark but in the upper left-hand side of the brick face, there are two spaces cut out of the brick where I later inlaid two ceramic tiles created by kids in the JAMS Program; there is a close-up below.
I used a board of red oak from my wood shop as a temporary mantlepiece. I didn't really know what I wanted as a mantlepiece so for the time being, a board would have to do.
Then I saw the piece of wood below and I knew that this is what I've been waiting for.
I made the mantlepiece out of a huge piece of Chinese elm. As you can see, it is edge wood, with the side of the tree clearly visible. Very beautiful. I finished it with Watco Danish Oil.
Yes, as a matter of fact, that is a carving of a cod on the left-hand side of the mantle.
After 3 years, it's finally done. Right on time.
Comments (9)
Hey there...
I love the fireplace and I think it just seems even better because you did it yourself! You should be proud.
I have been meaning to blog about the funeral because it was probably one of the most messed up experiences of my life. It's amazing to me how many thoughts and emotions it brings to mind. Our niece seems to be holding up. She goes back and forth between angry and sad and confused. There were some things he failed to mention to her before he checked himself out. I haven't cried so much in one day in a very long time. It was emotionally draining. It also brought on a concerning conversation with our oldest daughter and I am not sure how to appropriately handle the situation...so I would love to pick your brain about it sometime. I have a full house (as usual) at the moment and I won't be writing it in my blog for fear that she will feel hurt I shared it with everyone. So,,, I dunno. I will message you sometime.
Thanks for the ear!
K
"A glorious fireplace is well worth the wait." (I said that.)
"Anything worth doing is worth doing well." (Someone else said that.)
Beautiful craftsmanship! Hand built beats that pre-fab crap everytime!
It's beautiful. Time well spent.
I'll have to look you up if my dear wife ever lets me make that brick oven I've been threatening.
It went from cold and average to warm and unique! Very nice, indeed. I like your taste.
Thank you for all of your encouraging comments of late. I value your brain waves!!!!
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<TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">That looks amazing. Wow.
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So, when are y'gonna fix up the garage?
Tubby
I actually did build a permanent shelving unit in the garage. I'm trying to use space more efficiently.
Nice mantel! why does that sound vaguely disturbing?
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