Before we talk design, can we talk about the snow that’s coming our way? I’m not one to get too freaked out about snow but when they start throwing around words like “crippling and potentially historic blizzard” and predicting 20-30 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, that’s when I start getting a little bit worried… I made three separate trips to the grocery store yesterday like only a newbie New Englander would and am loaded up with water (since we have a well, no power = no water), firewood, and, all of the other snowstorm essentials. And even more importantly, I picked up a gallon of paint to finally get going on my foyer if we’re snowed in for days. Wish me luck.
So let’s talk fireplaces because I still haven’t figured out what I want to do with mine. Seriously. Here’s what I do know – after debating whether or not to get rid of the blue and white tile, it’s a go – that tile is soon to be outta here.
The tile definitely has charm but I’d like something that’s more my taste. And I found out that the backing of the top tiles has eroded and some significant repair work is needed just to keep the tile as-is. And did I mention that as-is includes a cracked and then reglued tile front and center? Not pretty.
So what’s left to decide? It’s all about the domino effect – if I’m ever going to replace or remodel our mantelpiece, it makes the most sense to do an overhaul of both the surround and mantelpiece at one time. The mantel itself isn’t too bad but the rest of the mantelpiece (especially the side pieces) are really wimpy. Like, flat as a pancake wimpy:
So, here’s what I’m thinking. I could either (a) go with a completely different mantelpiece such as a salvaged one or (b) beef up my existing mantel. If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I was exploring option (a) at the end of last week. I found some gorgeous mantelpieces at one of my favorite haunts and fell in love this natural wood mantelpiece that was salvaged from a farmhouse in Virginia. If it was about $200 or so, it would have been a no-brainer but of course that’s not the case – it’s big bucks.
I could see it looking so stunning though – I would imagine pairing it with a very simple surround for a look like this:
A far cheaper option would be to build-up our existing mantelpiece. I would leave the mantel itself alone but change up the rest of it. I searched out some fireplace designs for inspiration – these are a few of my favorites:
What do you all think? Would you spend the extra money for a unique, salvaged piece or beef up the existing mantel and used the money that was saved towards one of the many other reno projects on the to-do list?
Your mantel has a lot of the same features as the one you are swooning over. I love that you are replacing the surround, and think you will be happy with your mantel if you can make it more substantial. I am always happier when I do a project without the big price tag. Less risk of tat big purchase hangover! Good luck with your decision.
(Side note: where I live in Canada, we regularly get massive snowfalls – the media sensationalizes it these days and then people treat it like Armageddon – you’ll be fine! The kids here (including mine) wear their pjs inside out the night before a storm is forecast – this ensures that schools will be closed the day after… Apparently it works!)
That’s so true Tammy – when I put a decent chunk of money into a project, I get buyers remorse unless I am in 100% total love with the finished product. And I appreciate the words of encouragement about the storm. It is totally hyped up on the radio, tv, etc. and that’s a large part of what’s getting me hyped up too. I live in a very wooded area and there have been times (before I moved here) that power has been out for days due to storms – just something that I’ve never experienced before myself (and hope I never have to…)
When you are doing all of this work make certain to have a chimney expert look inside your chimney with a camera (camera is key!) to make sure it is in safe working order. We purchased a 1935 home and the chimney passed a visual inspection when we bought it. 4 months later in December of last year we had a fire develop underneath the hearth and in the sides of the firebox. The fire department said we are lucky the whole house didn’t go up in flames. The cracks in the tile you are seeing may be due to heat. The fire luckily didn’t destroy our home but it was very scary and many thousands of dollars to repair. Since then I have had several friends have a chimney expert examine their chimneys with
Cameras and they have found major safety issues that needed to be addressed. The most common being a crack in a ceramic tile in the liner. The codes for chimneys back when older homes were built are very out of date! Please have this checked out in this manner if you haven’t already. 🙂
Alice, thanks so much for your smart comment. We did have a chimney sweep come out and inspect the fireplace after purchasing the house but no camera inspection was done. It sounds like a very smart thing to do now that we’re remodeling it just in case there are issues to be addressed. So much easier (and safer) to do it now rather than waiting until a serious problem arises. Again, thanks!!
How exciting! I love your inspiration photos. Your mantel is already very pretty to begin with so you could probably get away with beefing it up a bit. I have been wanting to change mine for awhile and now that we are switching the floors in the family room, we might add that too. I wanted a stacked stone but now that I mentioned stone, my husband is starting to add some of his ideas…this could be disastrous! LOL… I would look around and see what you can find. You have a great eye for these things and I know you will make it beautiful! Stay warm and safe in this storm! Our school got cancelled for today even though the snow we are getting right now is only the pre-storm snow. Ugh…
Shelley
So it sounds like you’re a victim of the domino effect too 🙂 Good luck riding out the storm. They called early dismissal for my girls which means that they go to school for a whole two hours today – they couldn’t be more thrilled about the buckets of snow coming our way!
As it looks you really like the white aesthetic of the beefed up mantel you already have. I personally prefer that look myself, but I am a big fan of white in interiors, never goes out of style and you can always visually change it by adding different accessories. I think that the new mantel would make a very drastic change in the room. it’s definitely a major change to the overall feel, of the space.
while i think the salvage is dreamy, i am thrifty to the core and i know i couldn’t pull the trigger and i’d work with what i had. i love the molding going on in the last image- i think you could beef up your existing mantle, and then continue with molding going on the wall above it, all painted the same as the mantle. it would add the architectural interest that the salvage mantle would bring.
Although I love the salvage pieces, if it were me I would probably end up working with what I had! Beef it up a bit to save for other things on your list :). I agree that the mantle is lovely already!! We are currently in the middle of a fireplace redo ourselves, and in the process I tore off our wonky mantle and am trying to scheme what to put in it’s place. 🙂 Good luck with the storm! My oldest is a freshman in college in Boston and is bracing for his first experience with a New England snow storm! 20-30 inches is unheard of here in Oklahoma!!
Those salvaged mantles are beautiful. The fireplace and mantle is a large focal point. I’d go for the salvaged mantle if you are going to keep it unpainted. If you want a painted mantle, maybe you could beef up your existing one. Whatever you decide will be gorgeous. Can’t wait to see!
I would spend the money for the salvaged piece. The fireplace, is more than just a source of heating now a days, it’s a focal point in any room and I think it’s worth investing on it. I have the same dilemma with mine but mine is more problematic since I would have to build it all the way to the ceiling since it’s off centered and I need to save up on it still. I love the salvaged piece you showed and I think for the price, is a real bargain. But then again, it depends really on what speaks to you dear Kris. Good luck, either way, with your tastes, I know it will be fabulous!
Hi Kris! First we were thinking of and creating a coffee station at the same time and now we are doing a fireplace makeover at the same time…we are definitely on the same design train! Anyway, our fireplace was completely brick and stone from floor to ceiling (not pretty brick), so we tried to whitewash it…FAIL. What didn’t fail was the amazing mantel my husband built for me (the previous one was so shallow and was stone ~ boring). After that was done, he covered the brick from the mantel to the crown molding with panel board, which I love. It gives me such a nice backdrop now for any and all mantel decor. We still haven’t decided if we are going to paint the paneling white or paint it the wall color. I am leaning towards painting it the wall color so the crown and mantel really pop. A professional is coming this Thursday to ‘fix’ our whitewash brick. We love tackling most projects on our own, but this was too much for us. Back to you though…gosh, I ramble on and on. I would personally beef up your existing mantel. I have gone back and forth with thinking that I should have done some sort of wood, but I think in the end, what I did was timeless and beefing up yours would be the same. For me the financial aspect would be a sticking point too, because with so many projects on the to-do list and sadly no money tree growing in my backyard, I try to choose my splurges carefully. In the end, I have no doubt that whatever you decide to do will be beautiful.
Your fireplace sounds like it got quite the gorgeous makeover – you have to email me a pic! I bet that panel board made such a huge difference! I was thinking about doing something above our mantel but we only have 7.5 foot ceilings and I was afraid it would emphasize that (but maybe I’m wrong and it would do just the opposite). So funny about the coffee station and then the fireplace – so what are the two of us going to work on next? 🙂
I have the same fireplace (minus the tile) as you and I love it. We moved in in October. The mantel was empty until the holidays when I had a cute Christmas display going on, but now it is naked again and I need to do something with it! I love these ideas. I definitely agree with some of the other commenters… save money and make your existing mantel work!
Oh my friend. Why do you torture me so with these beautiful options? How am I to decide?? Okay…..considering you are staying put in CT……you need to love your house and where you are. I think if you went the salvaged route you would be totally in love with the final outcome.
The white mantle inspiration photos are gorgeous and classic and you just can’t go wrong with any of them – but considering your design aesthetic, the salvaged wood with it’s patinaed color would be so perfect in your home!!
Sometimes you save and others you splurge. I think the salvaged mantel might be worth the extra dollars. It would give your room the “wow” factor. So many houses have the typical white mantel, so the old one would be more unique. It would also suit your aesthetic. See if you can beat them down a little on the price. You don’t know, if you don’t ask.
I hope the storm is not as bad as predicted. Stay warm!
Love all the inspiration pictures. Stay warm and safe. When we lived in NY, my parents would always fill one or two of our bathtubs with water just in case as we too at a well. That way we could at least flush the toilets without the expense of bottled water (come to think of it I only remember maybe the jugs back then).
I’d save the money and beef up your existing mantel. Unless you love the look of the raw wood mantels better. I love them both.
I hope your power doesn’t go out. Stay safe and warm!
I love, love antique mantels – they give a room soul! But your existing mantel is quite handsome – wouldn’t take much to beef it up. Okay, whatever you decide, it’s gonna be fab! Stay warm and safe. xo
i was at my client’s on the weekend doing the exact same, we chose your first inspiration pic as the one to show our handyman, so you know I love that! 🙂 But, I completely agree with Lisa, I could see a salvaged one fitting in SO perfectly with your style! Stay safe and warm!
I love the salvaged piece, especially since it will be such a focal point in the house. When I come across one of a kind pieces, some are hard to get out of our mind and we keep thinking about it! Maybe that’s just me ;). If it is something you are in love with and will regret not getting someday, go for it! You may not find it again. No matter what you do, it will be gorgeous!
Oh I love a salvaged mantle! But if one is too expensive you can beef up the existing mantle with some vintage corbels or something. And I always love slate or brick around a fireplace. Especially in a New England home. I can honestly say that I am jealous of your blizzard! I haven’t seen one in almost 2 decades! I hope you also bought wine and hot cocoa at the store – blizzard essentials!!! Stay warm!
Did you find the natural wood piece at Lucketts? Love that place. You have some beautiful inspirations. I’m probably too thrifty, but I think I would look into beefing up what I have. I think Young House Love years ago did a project like that. This is a great post since I feel like I don’t LOVE my fireplace too. I like your last image with the grey paneling, which would add architectural features that would look classic.
Hi Tracy! I actually found it at a store in CT near my house – it’s a HUGE store with tons of reclaimed pieces. Sadly I realized after the fact that it’s too tall – I only have 7 1/2 foot ceilings and it leaves such a small amount of space above the mantel that I think it would look funny. I actually saw that YHL post when I was looking for inspiration – it looks really good!! I’m still so undecided. Ugh. Hope you enjoy your weekend!!