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May 3, 2009

From Quaint to Classic

[07.09.29] Fireplace

We always enjoy participating in Metamorphosis Monday, a blog party hosted by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch, because we get such great guests dropping by… welcome to ButterflyDesignTies and a post on the transformation of my fireplace from quaint to classic!

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I still remember the day we first viewed our little working-man’s bungalow and the pleasure I felt when we walked in the front door and saw the original (1939) fireplace. It was so cute and quaint!

I know… it doesn’t make sense that I’d alter something that I liked upon first sight, does it?

The thing is, as cute and quaint as this original fireplace was it had it’s problems: the mantle wasn’t large enough, the hearth had been replaced with ugly porcelain tiles and we’d learned upon inspection that it wasn’t safe to use as a wood-burning fireplace.

Besides… we wanted to install a gas insert:

[07.11] Fireplace 1

And as you can see from the photo above, a standard (i.e., not custom made) gas insert is much smaller then the original firebox. So we lifted the insert to the centre of the firebox with cinderblocks and planned a reface.

[07.11] Fireplace 2

First, I set to work removing the horrible flesh-coloured porcelain tiles and then continued down into the cement bed… I wanted the hearth tiles I installed to be flush with the wood floor.

[07.11] Fireplace 3

Next, my husband Brian cut and attached “durock”, or cement board, to the face of the fireplace… then I set to tiling the hearth.[07.12] Fireplace 4

We used a lovely multi-coloured slate called Desert Sand and I love it!

Next I was ready to tile the fireplace’s facade:

[07.12] Fireplace 6

[07.12] Fireplace 7





I love tiling!

Now we waited… for Bob at Finecraft Cabinetry to build our new mantle & surround. It’s not that Bob takes too long to build things, it’s just that it was Christmas time. :-) (FYI: Tile had been sealed, that’s why the colour is a little different from the pics above)

[07.12.24] Fireplace 9

Soon into the new 2008 year, Bob had our mantle & surround installed… and it was well worth the wait!!

Here’s the final result

DSC01096

DSC01095

What do you think… better?

I hoped you liked this transformation! Now I encourage you to make your way back to Susan’s Between Naps on the Porch to check out other fun and fabulous metamorphoses!!

Victoria from Edin Interiors

19 comments:

MEADE DESIGN GROUP said...

Nice transformation. Who knew you were so handy - I have never tiled in my life.

Paul Anater said...

It's beautiful Victoria. Really, you place is beautiful.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Victoria, you know that I love this fireplace. I love everything that you've done to your home. It has turned out just gorgeous. I still don't think I've seen the kitchen. Did I miss that? Hugs, Marty

Blair Friedeman said...

So much better! You did a fabulous job!!!!

sassymo said...

wow, turned out beautiful!

Sherrie said...

Awesome job! What a beautiful difference you made!
~Sherrie

Michelle said...

Nice tiling job!! It's not as easy as it looks :)

Michelle said...

I love the fireplace surround! I like square tiles too and the colors you picked is perfect.

Madame Meg said...

Absolutely beautiful! That slate tile looks perfect with the green on your walls. What an eye (and talent!) you have!

Fifi Flowers said...

VERY nice transformation!!!

qerat said...

Great job Victoria and the tiling looks great

Kat said...

I just love what you've done with this fireplace, actually with everything you've shown us of your home. We do (eventually) plan on refacing our fireplace with slate also. But we will probably use larger tiles, because we have one of those lovely (not) brick hearths and surrounds that extends to the ceiling. Love the wall color too! Kathy

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

Wow, you did a great job. Lots of hard work that really paid off. Congrats!

Sarah said...

You did an amazing job on that fireplace! I'm sure you spent a lot of time and hard work on it, but it sure looks better and I know you must be so proud!!
It looks great!

Maria Killam said...

What amazes me as that you took all these before and after picture BEFORE you ever started a blog where you would need them as much as you do. There are so many 'before' photos that I wish I had taken now that I'm a blogger. I'm very impressed with your diligence. . . and great job on the mantle, looks fabulous!

Debbie said...

Beautiful transformation. The after is much better I would say. Thanks for sharing. Debbie

Chandy said...

Wow, that's a great fireplace! I love it and glad you shared it today!

Lori E said...

That sure turned out great. You have a good eye.

mrsben said...

Hi Victoria: Just popping in to see what you are metamorphosis....ing this Monday and oh my you didn't disappoint. You really did a lovely job on the f/place! Thank you sharing and encouraging.

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