You guys, call me crazy for doing another fireplace makeover less than a year from my last one, but I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that I just went with it. When we made over the fireplace the first time it was beautiful, don’t get me wrong. Certainly better than what it looked like originally. But there was always this nagging feeling that it wasn’t quite right; not quite “me”. I tried to shrug it off and tell myself that it was good enough and that there was no way I was putting another dime into that fireplace, but the nagging just kept on.
*A big “thank you” to BLACK+DECKER and their “Your Big Finish” initiative for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to finally finish this project. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own.
Thank goodness for BLACK+DECKER and their “Your big Finish” initiative. They’re challenging procrastinators homeowners to tackle those home projects that have been left on the back burner and offering a chance at $10,000 and tons of other amazing prizes. Challenge, you say? Prizes? It was just the kick in pants that I needed. Be sure to read more about the details, and how you can enter, at the end of this post.
So here she is in all of her made over but not-quite-right glory. Like I said, the fireplace looked way better than before the first makeover.
The first thing to change was the routed design on the mantle. It was cute but, once again, not really my taste. I like my trim and accents to be more square, so I filled in the routed areas with Elmer’s Color Changing Wood Filler. This stuff is legit, y’all. It goes on pink and once it turns white it’s time to sand.
I loved the character that the side pillars added but they seemed kind of plain. Being the Craftsman style lover that I am, I just couldn’t keep myself from adding some trim to those puppies. We used 1×2 boards, mitered at the corners, to trim out the pillars. I repeated this same process with the mantle.
In order to add the trim, I had to add new baseboards so that they wouldn’t be flush with the new trim and would pop out like baseboaed is supposed to. That was just dandy with me though because I like my baseboards nice and thick and this allowed me the opportunity to beef them up. After applying all of the new trim I primed it and painted it Alabaster from Sherwin Williams.
Now, I could have stopped here and it would have been just gorgeous. But I was looking for a little fun and I have been obsessed with the color navy for, well, my entire life. I wanted to incorporate the color into the fireplace wall somehow and thought that painting the plank wall would be just the ticket. I chose a dusty navy paint from Sherwin Williams called Indigo Batik. I loooove this color. I want to paint everything in my home with it. My son totally approves of the new blue. He and my husband are lucky that my favorite color isn’t pink!
Things were looking good but just a little too pretty and polished for my taste. I wanted to toughen it up a bit so I added a stained 2×10 board to the mantel top . I stained it Dark Walnut from Rustoleum (another favorite). The board was a little bowed, as big box store lumber tends to be, so we attached it using Liquid Nails and then screwed it into the existing mantel top. To help keep things secure, we clamped it down with some giant c-clamps while the Liquid Nails dried and left it for two days. After everything dried we popped off the clamps and reveled in the gloriousness of it all.
Tada! What do you think? I am in LOVE! Absolutely smitten! Everything about the new look is perfect. It’s exactly the look I was going for. I am so excited to decorate for the upcoming holidays and I’m even happier that I can finally cross this nagging project off my list for good.
Now here is the really awesome part. BLACK+DECKER are inviting you to be a part of the “Your Big Finish” initiative! They are giving you a chance to finish one of YOUR projects and share it with the opportunity to win $10,000 cash or other great BLACK+DECKER prizes! Plus, you even have a shot at having your finished project displayed on a billboard in the middle of Times Square! Just click on the logo below and enter the instructions that they provide for you.
So what projects do you have on your to-do list? Does the BLACK+DECKER “Your Big Finish” contest give you any motivation to knock them out?
What finish did you use for the Indigo Batik here? I never know what finish to use! satin, eggshell, flat? It all jumbles around in my head!
Hi, Allison! I used the Sherwin Williams satin finish for the Indigo Batik. I didn’t want it to be completely flat but since it is a darker color, I knew that mistakes or dings in the wall would show up if the finish was too shiny. I know that sheens can differ a bit from one paint company to the next, so you’ll want to keep that in mind too. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love, love, love the color and the craftsman character!
Thank you so much, Amanda! I am obsessed with Craftsman! Thanks for stopping by!
It’s gorgeous Sarah! I didn’t think it was possible to improve on the original fireplace makeover but you somehow managed to make it even better!
Thank you so, so much, Amy! I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Looks amazing! I just absolutely love the color, really makes everything just pop! Great job, Sarah!
Thank you so much, Tara! I was skeptical about the blue but I’m really loving it!
This is wonderful! I fell in love with the clock 😀
Thank you, Palak! 🙂
Love it! Great pop of color!
Thanks so much, Aisha! 🙂
Wow, I cannot believe you hit two makeovers of the same fireplace right out of the park! So beautiful and thanks for filling us in on the Black + Decker campaign . . . so much fun!
Thank you, Bre! I appreciate it. Be sure to enter your projects!
Wow, that looks so different! I love the giant clock piece, it really adds some extra oomph to it.
Thank you so much, Jessica!
I think this is just beautiful – and given that I have blue all over my own house, I think you made a great choice!! 🙂 I love the paneling behind the mantle.
Thank you, Megan! That means a lot to me. 🙂
This is beautiful! You did a great job!
Thanks, Tiffany!
ahh I love this!! What a gorgeous makeover – and this SO makes me want a fireplace of my own! <3
Thank you, Christina! Electrical fireplace? Or even a faux one. I’m sure you could pull off something absolutely amazing. 🙂
Interesting timing! I would love to makeover our fireplace and have thought about it. A chance to win money on top of it is perfect!
It is definitely an effective incentive, LOL. 🙂
This makes me miss my fireplace. You did an amazing job! I love the paint color you chose. It really shows the texture.
Thanks, Alana! I was nervous about the blue but I am so glad I went for it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Wow!! That is AMAZING! I LOVE that clock. Good work! You’re very talented. 🙂 Glad I found you!
Well, thank you so much, Nikki! You are so sweet. Glad you stopped by! 🙂
This looks amazing! You did such a good job 🙂
Thanks so much, Danielle! I appreciate it.
I love the final product you ended up with!
Thank you, Erin. I really am so happy with it. 🙂
I love love love what you did to it! It really made it seem much more complete and elegant!
Thank you very much! I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂
I love it. It was great before your make-over, but the blue just makes it pop! I re-read your how-to instructions, but couldn’t find anything about the “clock” in the center of the wall. Did you make it or buy it or…??? Again, wonderful job.
Thank you so much, Claudia! The clock is a DIY project that I will be posting about very soon. Stay tuned!
Sarah- it’s gorgeous! It was beautiful before but now it is so unique! Great job!
Thank you, Valerie! I’m so glad I can finally cross this one off my list.
The fireplace looks great! Thanks for sharing this project!
Thanks, Amanda! And thank you for stopping by!
Wow! I absolutely love the blue and the clock is such a statement piece! Amazing details.
Thank you, Rebecca! The clock is a DIY that I will be posting about soon. 😉
I absolutely love your makeover. So creative and I believe best fits with your home’s character in this season.
Thank you so much, Kim! I’m in love with all of the character.
It looks amazing, Sarah!!! The stained wood board was the perfect touch!
Thank you, Christina! I love the little touch of rustic that it adds.
Awesome, very unique work. This really pops. Great job!
Thank you so much, John! I appreciate you stopping by!
Sarah this is amazing!! I too am obsessed with Navy and it looks so perfect!! AMAZING job!
Thanks so much, Bre! I kind of figured you were navy crazy, too, from your blog design (which I LOVE , by the way)!
Sarah! This is awesome! I love that you went with your gut. The stained wood mantle is the best. Love love love.
Thank you, Erin! That wood mantel was a bear to attach but we made it work! I love the little touch of rustic that it adds.
Looks GREAT, Sarah! I love the new trim work and of course the navy is fabulous!
Thank you so much, Katie! I am so digging the navy!
Looks awesome, Sarah!! That blue is a gorgeous color, and the fireplace totally just pops!!! You did a great job! 🙂
Thanks so much, Amanda! 🙂
O to the M to the G!!!! This is FANTASTIC!!! It looks AMAZING!!! GREAT JOB!!
Aaah! Thanks so much, Leigh Anne! I was kinda scared but I am soooo in love now that it’s done.