Since the New Year I have been in a clean-up and clear-the-countertop mood... and not only the countertops, but the closets, drawers and cabinets!
Making changes here and there... fluffing and fussing!
Here is a "before"... Christmas 2010 ...
The "After"....
We FINALLY replaced the green tile fireplace surround with whitewashed brick... very neutral and soft. This project has been on my radar for quite some time. It made a huge difference in the overall look of our family room!
We could not order a new glass door for the fireplace... so next week, I'm pulling off the brass and repainting it with an oil-rubbed bronze heat resistant spray paint...
The mirror over the mantle was replaced with a big clock I recently found on sale. That mirror has hung over the mantle for 18 years... "time" for a change!
The mirror will be hung in the living room I am working on.
The rest of the mantle was kept very simple... touches of white and browns... a soft almost bare look for winter. Less is more with this big clock as the focal point.
The buffet lamps are the same ones in the "before" photo. A little paint and a linen lampshade gives them a new look! Stop back for post about the lamp transformation tomorrow.
The next big project for this area is to knock out the windows and wall on the right side of our family room and replace them with a wall of french doors leading to the porch. But that is down the road a bit!
But for now... I am happy with the new changes!
It's beautiful now. I love the soft look and the clock is perfect.
ReplyDeleteYvonne it looks amazing and that new brick and just perfect! I am still working on our winter mantle.
ReplyDeleteOh Yvonne I LOVE the brick!! Your mantel looks stunning! That whole room is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, Yvonne! I love how the brick surround looks!
ReplyDeleteLove the changes!
ReplyDeleteLooks great, Yvonne. Love that clock. I have a thing for big clocks.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike! I also went to a white winter mantle after Christmas. I am going to decorate it for the girl's 5th birthday this week, but then it is back to white. I love the clean look after all of the greenery and what not of the holidays. :D
ReplyDeleteI really love your lantern, I was thinking about hitting Old Time Pottery to find a similar one.
Beautifully done...love this post!
ReplyDeleteI love it. Funny, I was just asking my Brother in law about updating our fireplace and he suggested granite. Ours it black tile and has the gold trim as well so I will be looking forward to seeing how yours comes out and how you did it. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteGreat work! I so love to see all your projects. I'm amazed at the similarities in our homes. Thank you so much for sharing your inspirations with us!
ReplyDeleteLove yours, I worked on mine yesterday! I have a lantern that needs painted but it's just to cold out right now, maybe a new one in the future? That's always nice to think about!
ReplyDeleteYour living room looks lovely! Love how you decorated the mantel!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful new fireplace surround and a gorgerous mantle.
ReplyDeleteNeed to update ours someday.
Denise
very nice yvonne...i'm still 'fluffing and fussing' in my kitchen after christmas, just can't quite get it right!
ReplyDeletea few years ago my husband suggested we take out a set of windows in our sunroom and replace them with french doors which lead to our outdoor porch area (which we had just installed)....it was his best idea yet! i love french doors, don't you?
Beautiful! How did you hide the cords of the lamps??? Love your blog!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are plugs on the mantle itself.
DeleteSo pretty. Love the light airy feel...have a great day Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteI love the new look! Blessings, Tammy
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne, I actually painted my shiny brass on my fireplace with heat resistent paint in black and it made such a difference. I think you'll be surprised how much bang for the buck you get. Love the new look.
ReplyDeleteLeslie (aka Gwen Moss)
Looks wonderful, Yvonne. I love the big clock! This is inspiring me to rethink our mantel. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, simple and beautiful! I love it!
ReplyDeletePretty!!! I am all about the white washed brick! Plus I luv clocks :-)
ReplyDeleteThis winter, my colour scheme is brown, white, faded greens and red. Come on over and take a peek.
Hugs, Gee
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteWoW!!!
What a transformation the white brick around your fireplace makes, dear friend!!!
Love the make~over on the lamps, as well!!!
Lovely look for winter!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Your fireplace and mantel look beautiful. I love the huge clock instead of the mirror. Great focal point and nice soft colors.
ReplyDeleteThe new bricks look fantastic! I so miss my fireplace mantel at our old house. This wood burning stove just isn't as pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove the whitewashed brick! Can't wait to see the bronze treatment when completed. Great post!
ReplyDeletethe white washed brick looks stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI luv the brick impact. I also luv the warmth of the round, wooden clock.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better! I like the new, clean look for winter! I just today got my Christmas off the fireplace and mantle. ALMOST done!!!! It is very different in a new space!!! Love the clock. And the brick! Hope I get up there soon, and YOU get down HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteIt looks so fresh and clean, Yvonne! I love the big clock for your focal point. The redo on the fireplace with the brick is gorgeous. I love seeing your changes and updates. Hope you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteYour fireplace looks wonderful with the washed brick.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteLove the before shot, but the after shot...fantastic! The washed brick is such a nice complement to your mantel mill work. Great makeover!
All the Best,
Christine
Wow. I really like the new brighter look of your fireplace. The clock is beautiful and I like that you painted the lamps. Refinishing the fireplace with white bricks really updated the whole look of the room. Beautiful! Blessings, Pamela
ReplyDeleteI love all the white and the clock is large and in charge up there.
ReplyDeleteThe new brick around the fireplace looks wonderful, I love the look. Also, loving that clock! Super job, my daughter just said your house is so pretty...and it is.
ReplyDeleteFresh and lovely. I want a client of mine to spray the brass on her fireplace, too, mostly to make the firebox appear larger as it is a little under scale. PLEASE give us a progress report.
ReplyDeleteYour mantel looks beautiful, Yvonne! The simple, neutral look is just perfect for winter. I love the big clock and the fireplace surround couldn't have turned out better...it looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, This looks beautiful.I was wondering if you would share where you found your clock? I was also wondering what color your walls are painted.I wish you were available to decorate my house.Your home is beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteYour mantle looks beautiful, love the brick!
ReplyDeleteYou have decorated the living room very nicely and the mantle is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteVery nice new look, Yvonne. We painted our flagstone white many, many years and have never regretted it....enjoy the new look!
ReplyDeleteThe mantel is so beautiful Yvonne!...I love the lamps and the wonderful winter white decor!!...I just love your room!!
ReplyDeleteLove the mantel, it is simple elegance. The twigs in the picher are great.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Amazing what one can do to change the entire look and feel of a space! I am so mad at myself for completely trashing our fireplace door a few years back rather than spray painting it. At that time I just didn't know that was even possible. Live & learn, I suppose! The clock you have over the mantel looks great. I'm curious to see what will replace it!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting some big white lanterns so bad!! Love the look!
ReplyDelete♥Linsey
Wow. I love your mantle. It looks nice. I like the antique look of the clock too.
ReplyDeleteNice interior mate. It gives perfect winter look. It looks awesome.
ReplyDelete