Remodel

Last fall we decided to remodel our front room fireplace.  Lucky for me, Brandon is very handy and does very good work!  While at times progress can be a little slow due to his perfectionism, I try to remind myself that the end product is always worth it!  He does a very professional job, which few people get out of do-it-themselves remodel projects.  Here are some pictures of our process:

Here is a "before shot" with the kids sitting on the floating hearth.  It's dated and ugly!  The original brick was a creamy color with a pink tile hearth before we painted it.  Seriously . . . did that EVER look good at any point in time?

Brandon chiseled out the brick to a mantel level and build bookshelves for either side.  I actually helped him build the bookshelves!  It's about the only thing I helped with, well that and keeping the kids out of the way!  And with Jonah's obsession with the nail gun, that was a full-time job!

Brett came and helped Brandon lay the limestone tile on the fireplace.  Brandon loves working with his brother, Brett.  Brandon boxed in the floating hearth.  Then he used a grinder to polish the unfinished limestone edges all along the fireplace (a messy and very noisy job).  Brandon also replaced all the molding, casing, and window sills in the kitchen and front room.  Then we repainted, got some new front room furniture and . . .

Whala!  Here's the finished product!  Brandon stacked several different moldings to create the mantel and added cabinet doors on the bottom of the shelves.  I LOVE it!  Thanks, Sweetheart, for all of your hard work!