Just in time for Christmas too!
I'm a busy elf these days, but after a visit with the newlywed niece, I wanted to stop and share her mantel makeover all decorated for the Christmas season.
These are the best before pictures that I have, but I think you get the drift. Here's the gaping hole called their fireplace near the beginning of their restoration. The fireplace at the Love Shack is so old that it had a dirt floor and was unusable.
They decided to cover it up
as they worked on the rest of the Love Shack restoration.
All was going well until the Man of the Place was deployed. Because of his absence, they decided that this would be the one project for which they would hire some help.
The back was left with its original stoney bricks, but they laid a tile floor and hearth.
They originally planned to construct a mantel, but in a happy little twist of Providence, a wonderful antique mantel fell into their laps. It fit the gaping hole so perfectly it seemed almost custom made for it. Thanks, God.
She painted it white and picked a small tile for the surround.
And then decorated it for the season.
Ta Da!
Ta Da!
Isn't that pretty?
I think she inherited the Christmas gene from her grandmother.
I think she inherited the Christmas gene from her grandmother.
The Man of the Place thought it was pretty too. He saw it via SKYPE as she carried her laptop all over the house to show him the hearth and home waiting for his return...
...which, no matter what date is on the calendar, will feel just like Christmas.
*****
36 comments:
Wow I love the mantle ! I love love love mantles but I sadly don't have one. I have a wood stove so no mantle. I have thought about putting something on the wall behind it to have that mantle feeling but I haven't figured it out. Those two are going to love cozy-ing up to a nice fire in there someday soon. What a treat that will be.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
PS: I promise I won't get a big head and thank you for your sweet words. You are such a encouragement. ((HUGS)) I have been feeling so frumpy for soooooooo long.
Yep, I think you're right. That Christmas gene is still a dominant one in this girl! So glad The Man of the House got to enjoy the festive mantel -- even from afar. (Skype is a wonderful thing!) Big hugs from me to the Newlywed Niece during this holy (but sometimes lonely) holiday season while they're apart.
What a beautiful makeover! I love it! Hope you and yours have the merriest of Christmases and a New Year filled to overflowing with blessings!
Beautiful mantle! Blessings to your niece and her hubby. xo
Oh how VERY pretty... And WOW!!! what a transformation... What a blessing to get a Mantel that fit just perfectly... Will be praying for her and her husband as they are separated during this time... And YES his return will be just Like CHRISTmas... :)
Love the way you wrote this post.
And the "gaping hole" turned out beautiful.
You are right! They are inspiring and that mantel makeover is just incredible! I smiled as I pictured her walking around with the laptop showing him her decorations and how bittersweet that must have been. We are praying for a safe return and it will definitely be like Christmas! Thanks for sharing this at Inspiration Friday Debbie~
Vanessa
absolutely beautiful....Have a great weekend and stay safe out there.
Just Beautiful and Festive! Thanks,Deidre~ http://simplysimplisticated4.blogspot.com
Now that is inspiring! How can one family have so many talents and gifts? The outcome is fabulous and will be a gift when her guy gets home for Christmas when ever that may be!
It turned out beautiful! Love the pretty decorations:@)
I think the mantel turned out pretty spectacular, too. I'm afraid the Christmas decorating gene passed over me onto her. I know she'll be happy when they can sit together by that pretty fireplace. If all goes as planned, we'll be celebrating Christmas in July next year!
You're one special aunt. Thanks for showcasing her little love shack.
Ah ... it's perfect.
Debbie, that is one beautiful fireplace. Please tell your niece what a wonderful job she has done and also tell her husband thank you for his service to keep us all free this Christmas holiday.
It's way beyond pretty! It looks gorgeous, and cozy all at the same time and I know he has LOVED seeing the pictures on skype. What an amazing world we live in!
Merry Christmas to all of you, near and far!
Believe it or not I am speechless. Your redo is awesome! You would never guess you could do something like that when you first see it. Glad the mantel is so Beautiful! SANDIE
What a beautiful fireplace. I love that she found the perfect mantel. How neat!
I pray that her hubby will be able to come home very soon.
Blessings to you all, Amy
Oh.My. WORD. this is stunning!!!
I hope her husband is home SOON. Please send them our thanks for his service!
xo
lynn
Wow this is a beautiful makeover! Some good genes are seen...
What a beautiful transformation. I love old fireplaces that have that character - they just feel so good compared to the gas fireplaces we are all so used to. The homecoming will be a wonderful as the fireplace.
Oh how wonderful and I have to give a High Five to God and His creativeness, it is just great!....and prayers for this young couple, may the Lord continue to give them peace, excitement and joy even in the midst of separation.
You said it Debbie .... she must have the Christmas decorating gene! GORGEOUS!
I LOVE the transformation of the fireplace. Ours is speckled brick with a funky country style mantel. I would love for an antique mantel to "fall into my lap." I also love the use of the small glass tile. Sooooo pretty!
I think I am decorating "vicariously" through all of you! : D
Hope the newlywed hubby can get home soon.
Cheers!
Your last line was so perfect, yep brought a tear to my eye. You are the most fabulous writer, it's a fireplace, a gorgeous one at that and as I read the story I envision the young couple the husband deployed and the wife that keeps the fire burning. Bless them both and thank you to the hubby for keeping us safe!
Merry Christmas
CArol
That's gorgeous. Your niece did such a good job. Your blog always inspires me to take the old and make it new and then I remember you make it LOOK easy but it is in your genes and you know just how to do it...and then I go eat a cookie to make myself feel better :)
You have the most talented family!
This was a gorgeous re-do! Really lovely. That fireplace is everything a good fireplace should be. Homey, inviting, warm. (I'm assuming functional, too!)
Thoughts and prayers are with the newlywed couple - and I join all of you in anxiously awaiting the *Christmas* of our dear soldier's return.
Oh Debbie...this is beautiful. I love the mantel and it's story.
Oh, the mantle looks just gorgeous! God does provide, it's just perfection! Thanks so much for stopping by. We welcome you to link at our party anytime you like, it's a honor!
Hugs,
Patti
Oh, these two are folks after my own heart... recognize the hardwood floor refinishing... the painting... the beautiful recovery of that fireplace! Oh, my goodness, they are doing a great job!! LOVE all they have done. And, yes... there does appear to be a viable Christmas gene that is going strong! ;) I am hoping that this young couple's "Christmas" comes very soon.
blessings ~ tanna
ps glad you had some shoulder scrunching and toe curling. ;) thank you!
WOW...It is just gorgeous! Love it. And I love more that she was able to share it with him via skype. How wonderful. Praying their holiday season is filled with His peace, even as they are apart. HUGS
Great job! So glad that the man of the house, a.k.a. (hero) got to share in a bit of Christmas spirit. God watch over and protect him and his family while he is away serving his country!
Your nephew is going to feel like a king on Christmas on that jubilee day when he returns--love love love the fireplace, the tile, the antique mantel and most of all the screen--
Hope your Christmas is all you've ever dreamed of and tell the duchess I love her decorations.
Wow! What a transformation! And, you're right. When he gets to see it in person, it will be Christmas no matter what time of year.
Wish she would decorate my mantel! (HUGS) for a great week.
What a beautiful mantel. They did such a good job....Christine
Grateful for both D'nephew's (by marriage) AND D'niece's service to our country.
Lovely results paid off big time! Just beautiful!
Beautiful! Great job! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks to her husband for serving our country!
Katherine
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