Summer Fireplace Makeovers

The fireplace tends to be overlooked in the sultry summer months, at least mine use to be.  During the cold autumn and winter months it is filled with glowing embers, crackling logs, and promises of cozy evenings.  In the summer, however, my fireplace tended to look and feel like a big, black empty hole.  This spring, when I cleaned out the ashes and washed down the fireplace, I decided to bring joy to the could-be black, empty hole of a summer fireplace.

Having leftover wood from last winter, I decided to put some in the fireplace and then draped them with globe lights. In the evenings, it adds coziness and provides an unexpected focal point.  I've also placed several plants near the fireplace to bring in some green into the space (and because I am up to my ears in houseplants).

via

A collection of tall and beautiful vases brings a touch of elegance to anyone's fireplace. Here tall and slender shapes bring interest to the small, square frames, vases on the mantel, and side table. A great way to show off some flowers from your garden - just be careful of kids and pets.

via

This is my favorite fireplace decoration.  You know all about my love of sticks (you can read a little about it here or here) and this is a great way to add texture, nature, and warm color to a room.  I've also seen birch branches used which is also beautiful.

via

Candles are a traditional way to bring light and warmth to a cold fireplace. Interest is added when you bring in varying heights of candles and many people use candelabras.  In a sense, candles allows fire to be burned all year long and gives those with non-working fireplaces a way to enjoy the warmth and firelight.

via

Greenery and plants are a great way to summer-ize a fireplace. I like the juxtaposition of a winter-loving fireplace playing home to summer plants. Don't forget to add varying heights with the incorporation of some small stools or plant stands.

via

I love this fireplace stuffed full of blooms...I'm picturing baby's breath or hydrangeas. Notice that it provides a little interest but allows the mantle to really shine. 

What have you done to summer-ize your fireplaces?

New and Improved End Tables

 Yes folks, I finally found the courage to paint some furniture! First on my list of desperately ugly furniture were our living room end tables. I complained talked about them earlier in A Makeover About to Happen when I shared why I purchased them despite disliking them so.

During this makeover, my very first painting experience, I learned quite a lot such as not to paint when yard work is being done (even when it's three floors below you), paint in hair is quite difficult to remove, and dog hair is an epidemic.

Before we did anything, we knew we needed to sand the end tables well in order to ensure the paint would adhere well and not chip or peel easily.  Let me just tell you, sanding is tough business!  We purchased 60 grit sand paper and attacked those suckers.  Next time we need to sand we will be investing in a sanding tool. 

John wasn't 100% convinced that the tables would look better white. He is more of a natural wood kind of guy and didn't see anything wrong with the 1970's orange finish.  After sanding both tables and taking a step back, he recognized how ugly they really were.  (now I'm trying to get him on board with our dressers)  

Just sanding them made them look better than before.

I didn't really care much about these tables before so I wasn't adamant about people using coasters or particularly careful with them.  You can see the massive water damage to the above table.  We tried to sand out the damage but unfortunately we couldn't completely erase the two years of neglect. 

 We used water-based primer (it was leftover from our DIY Desk) and put on a coat.  I wasn't expecting it to go on as evenly as it did.

 After the first coat of paint I became giddy - they looked so pristine and clean and updated.  The legs were a pain to paint as were the details along the sides (you can't see them very well in these pictures).  In the end they needed about three coats of paint.

I love how bright and happy they look in our living room which tends to be dark after the sun leaves the eastern sky in the morning.  In the past when I would glance around the room, my eyes would always focus on the tables.  Now, the tables serve as a bouncing off point as I glance around.

 

Now that I've had a taste of a painting makeover, I'm dying to do more. I find myself glaring at our TV stand, coldly lovingly referred to as Ursula.  She is a big, black, monster of an eyesore. I have a color in mind...now I just need to wait for John's memory of sanding to dissipate.   

Oh, and while I was high off paint fumes and the power of paint, I also painted some old Ikea plant stands.  I ordered a free sample of paint from Valspar a couple weeks ago thinking I was choosing a fabulous gray color to try out for our bedroom furniture. When it arrived I was very disappointed to find a baby blue paint on my doorstep. I guess my computer screen doesn't show colors accurately.

I'm linking this to:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Coastal Charm
Tip Junkie
Creating a House of Grace
I'm Topsy Turvy
The Nester 
Today's Creative Blog