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The Long Overdue Fireplace Makeover

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Why did I name this post “The Long Overdue Fireplace Makeover?”  Because that is exactly what it is!  This project is loong overdue.  

I had been thinking of doing this since last winter when I had shown you the wash tub that had been repurposed for wood storage.  I kept on looking at that awful fireplace and thinking maybe it was time to get rid of that dark ugly color. 

Fireplace before, The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

But I did nothing till November, when I lit the fireplace and remembered why I hated it.

After a whole winter’s worth of research and much procrastination I found inspiration from Melissa of Dancing Dog Cabin. I absolutely loved the look of her fireplace makeover and decided to recreate it. I started with 2 coats of chalk paint.  

Painting the fireplace with chalk paint, The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

And then set to work drawing the shapes to make it look like a stone fireplace. And not very well at that!

Painting the stones on the fireplace, The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

But there was no turning back. I used different colors of acrylic paint, mixing many together as I went along. 

Painting the stones on the fireplace , The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

I added highlights and shadows as best as I could.  

Detail of stones of fireplace, The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

This actually took me a couple of days because I’m indecisive. 

The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

And I’m done!  I’ll wait a week to let the paint cure and then I will seal it with varnish. This way if it gets dirty, which it will, I won’t have to worry about  rubbing off the color when I clean it.

I’ll upload pictures with the varnish a bit later, but I just couldn’t wait to share this with you!!  (Here is part two of the makeover.)

The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com
The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com
The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

A quick look at the before:

Before, The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

The pictures do not do it justice, it has lots of depth and nuance.  I’ve got to work on those photography skills. 

Painting the fireplace to look like stone, The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

There is a part two to this fireplace makeover here.

When I showed this photo to my son he said “you should have done this years ago!”  Well, better late than never for my long overdue fireplace makeover.  Do you ever have a project in mind and then just procrastinate forever, like I did? 

Picture
Painting the fireplace to look like stone, #fireplace #fireplacemakeover #thepowerofpaint #paintedfireplace #DIYproject #paintrelated The Long Overdue Fireplace makeover www.theboondocksblog.com

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Silvia

Tuesday 26th of March 2019

I love the color you picked and the final result! So original and fancy! #EsmeSalon

Mary

Wednesday 27th of March 2019

Thank you so much Silvia, it really changed the whole look of the room.

Krista

Sunday 3rd of April 2016

More hidden talent. It looks fabulous. You understated how great it turned out. Your house must be beautiful.

Mary

Tuesday 5th of April 2016

Thank you Krista. The huge unexpected benefit of being a diy blogger is that you get to redo your whole house one project at a time. This is something I did not anticipate when I started the blog, but I see now that the house is slowly filling up with one of a kind pieces.

All that's Jas

Sunday 3rd of April 2016

Mary, that looks incredible! Love the color choices, they bring the fireplace into a focal point. I bet it'll be a great conversation piece. You are so talented!

Mary

Tuesday 5th of April 2016

Jas, I find myslef walking into the room and staring at it! Lol! I still have not gotten used to having it there. It is so bright and full of... anything but what it was before. Thanks for your sweet comment.

Jennifer Abel

Sunday 3rd of April 2016

Funny we are doing our fire place up too. Yours is awesome. Thanks for sharing on #overthemoon

Mary

Tuesday 5th of April 2016

Thank you so much Jennifer. I guess it's the season for fireplace makeovers now that we are coming out of the winter frost.

TwoPlusCute

Monday 4th of April 2016

This. Is. Amazing! You did all that chimney yourself?! I love the difference it made but I love even more the detail of the "stones". Great choice of colors and wow, this is one fantastic paint job Mary! I pin this of course.

Mary

Tuesday 5th of April 2016

Yes all by myself!! If you want something done you have to do it yourself. I had help from family members in the form of "holding the ladder so I don' topple over!" But it was my idea hence it had to be done by me. But now I'm not happy - I want to add depth... so we'll see where this goes.

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