Brick. It’s a timeless classic. It can have an old world feel to it, if you do it right. And I knew from the beginning when we walked into this house, that brick was what I wanted for our fireplace. But little did we know, materials were the least of our issues when it came to all things rehab.
Side note: We were in our back yard {SANS KIDS – WHAT?!} the other afternoon when we decided to go for a quick dip in the pool after a day of working on a project there. Jamin paused for a moment and said, “This is pretty close to heaven.” And it really is. Our own little slice. Beyond our current problems to get past… we’re honestly just happy to be here. It’s nice to take a moment and breathe and just appreciate where we are. And it’s funny now, to think that we almost walked away.
Back from that side note of a thought derailment: Even though this little house is a total rehab, there are some really fun little charming elements that we wanted to keep. The fireplace was one of them.
Here’s what it looked like initially, upon entry.
And here’s what it looks like now.
The angle is a little off, but you get my drift. Not all walls are meant to be removed. This little house is benefiting greatly from the change. We’re just keeping our end vision in sight when we start to freak out a little ;}.
And lately, we’ve been doing that. Just a little.
At first, the plans were as a budget saver. I thought that we could use the brick as is, and maybe add a little to it. The proportions were a little off for our liking, but we could make it work. The little brass opening was even charming, if dated. We just thought maybe we needed a bigger opening.
But there was a fire box inside, so this wasn’t possible. It was a game of wait and see, until those walls came down.
The game of rehabbing a house is likened to if you give a mouse a cookie. Because soon, we had grandiose plans.
When those walls came down…
{View below from the upstairs bathroom-sans bathtub.} All the way… we realized there just wasn’t much holding that mantel up, beyond the last existing drywall.
And down she tumbled.
Usually, this is the part where I start to get excited, because it means that I’m getting my way. Sorry not sorry. But at this point, we’re just tired, and need one thing to be easy. This is not one of those things. Also, budget.
The little guy behind there looks a bit like the lone tin man. The kids said it was creepy.
{I don’t know how we’re going to survive with a crawlspace. I have no idea where they get it ::side eyes::}
Sneak peek of our new windows alert… more on that coming. Side note: We totally saved the old ones. Greenhouse anyone? I couldn’t bring myself to part with them. I have a slew and I can’t wait. #yessometimesIamahoarder #butonlyforgoodreason
So this is where it left us. Listing the pros and cons and trying to figure it all out. A house is a game of give and take, and this was definitely one of those places we would have to do our research.
We knew we wanted a wood burning fireplace in our home. And by we, I mean Jamin. So we thought this was our chance to change it over. I was however, a bit reserved because of the smell. And mess. I mean, don’t get me wrong. The smell can have both pros and cons. But I was hesitant because smelling like smoke had me reserved, {which is a nice smell, but I was still hesitant} and the idea of burning embers on our hardwoods, wasn’t appealing either. I love real but what I love more, is low maintenance.
So I said to myself, “Self. You get your way a lot when it comes to design choices. It’s time for Jamin to get his way.” So I said nothing.
This is a rarity for me. {To say nothing} So be impressed.
Jamin was absolutely passionate about it because he felt that gas fireplaces were too expensive, and that the heat they emit was too low. There’s a good chance with Nashville’s ice storms and our above ground power lines, that we could lose power for small stints of time this winter, so this was important.
However {yes, another however} we need to put our TV over our fireplace, as it’s the only sensible place it can go. I was once vehemently opposed to the location, but I’m finding it to be a nice option to free up the floor, since we’ll have another entertainment area for kiddos, downstairs. Heat, with a wooden fireplace can be a real issue.
And then we realized upon removing all that brick and drywall: There’s also a roofing issue. Behold, an old leak with water damage.
Whhhheeeeeee.
Along with our poop shirts, I’m also making one that says ‘wheeeee’. Story of my life.
Reworking the entire thing to allow for a chimney would require extensive remodeling around said past leak on the roof, that just isn’t in our budget right now.
#thankswilliamsoncountyseptic
Oh the surprises removing the walls can reveal. We’re still surprised there wasn’t a dead body. Or at least at the other end of the spectrum… some stashed cash. Come on!
Upon further investigation, we decided that we’re going for ventless. It requires no chimney, isn’t that pricey, and can put out a good amount of heat for the house. Who knew? We were basing our biases a-la gas on impressions we were left with in the past. It’s funny how old impressions can stick with us forever when we don’t investigate further. #lifelessonsbyashley
This was the compromise of a choice that we decided to go with.
Jamin is comforted by the fact that at least it will be pretty. JK. Jamin only cares about football. So at least we can watch it here. But he is happy about the brick.
See the plywood change at the top? Old leak. And a little water damage. Again, we’re so glad we’ve looked into everything.
So here’s what we’re thinking with a quick mock up of sorts:
A recess for the art on top, so it can easily be hidden with versatile pieces of art.
We’ve seen a lot of clever ideas for this little conundrum of hiding that TV. I don’t really want anything permanent or hinged or hanging on top, since mantels are such a fun way to express the changing vibes and seasons. I enjoy keeping it easy and fluid. And we have no shortage of canvas around here… so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, we’re thinking a heavy mortar wash on top of some lighter brick for an old, historical vibe… along the lines of this.
and this {entire tour here} I think you get the gist.
I’m researching the process, for the best approach now. But it shouldn’t be long before we’re back with the fun results since the ball is rolling again. {Happy dance!}
Oh and the mantel you may ask? I am so glad you asked.
Because right after we moved here, we had a moment. Okay. Fine. I had a moment. That moment we all have every now and again when perusing our favorite flea markets. There I was, effortlessly walking through when the angel choir and heavenly sunbeams directed me here. I think I blacked out for a moment. Because moments later, I had no idea where I was, and I texted Jamin that I’d just purchased two honking pieces of salvaged wood, and that I needed his truck to come and get them. {My mom found a gorgeous buffet, and my sis in law, a pretty little sideboard. We can be dangerous when we shop together.}
I adore this color, and the unique shape is part of what lends to it’s salvaged look for a mantel. It’s hefty, but we should be able to hang it. {Famous last words} And yes, I grabbed two… I have barnwood issues. What can I say?
We have big plans for our old planks from our homeschool space in the new basement. Stay tuned!
And wish us luck. I basically just turned my entire post into rambling about a fireplace. Imagine what it’s like for the rest of the house? Classic over thinker.
Stay tuned… and have an inspired day!
Alicia says
It sounds like you guys are making smart decisions to make your house a home, all while getting the biggest bang for your buck. I know it’s going to be just gorgeous and I appreciate your honesty as a new reader – it’s pretty interesting to see what goes into all this. Thank you for sharing
Robbin says
We had a wood burning fireplace in our house that we converted to gas logs. I LOVE IT!!!!! My two cents worth . . . I will NEVER burn wood inside any house I live in again. Like NEVER EVER. The mess (unless your husband is WAAAYYYYY more OCD than mine LOL) is just horrible. Every night I would come home from work with wood chips all over the floor. The dust and ash from the fireplace are all over everything. Is it nice to smell a HINT of woodsmoke in the house? Yes. Is it nice to listen to the crackling fire? Yes. Is it nice to gaze into the fireplace and see a real fire burning? Yes. Is the .0000000006725% of your life spent smelling a hint of woodsmoke smile looking at and listening to a real fire worth the 99.00000000000003275% of the REAL LIFE MESS AND SMOKE SMELL?? Uh, NO!!!!! In a perfect world (meaning I had a full-time live in housekeeper sweeping and mopping and dusting) a “real” fireplace would be lovely. In the real world (I have full-time job working outside the home and I have no housekeeper) GAS FIREPLACES ROCK!!!!! And if you REALLY want that realistic sound/smell/look . . . . buy a WoodWick candle LOL!!!!!!!! Loving the renovation posts!! Keep them coming!!! And I can’t WAIT to see it all finished and looking FANTASTIC!!!
Lori says
We have a wood fireplace as well and I agree with your post. We haven’t used it in almost 20 years because the kids both have asthma. I would love to add a gas insert (it currently has a gas starter, so the line is there already), but because we live in California it never was at the top of our to-do list.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Interesting to hear your experience as well, Robbin + Lori! Our youngest had asthma when he was small, and we’re all known for our sinus issues… this is honestly something I hadn’t thought about in that category. The smell gets to me after a while because I have hyper sensitive hound dog nose. Kinda glad we saved some moolah in this arena since the roof would have posed such a problem.
Natalie says
Love love love. Keep em coming. Thank you as always for being realistic
Lisa R says
Very interesting post! Now I’m wondering how stable my full height ceiling brick FP is…
On another note, I recently saw someone post an open concept staircase basement to 2nd floor and that might look pretty cool with your set up?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Interesting! I’ll have to put some research into this! ;} Hopefully your mantel is just fine.
Kim says
Crazy what you find when removing walls – and scary, too! š We had a wood burning fireplace at our old house that we really LOVED. My hubby was a pro at building a great fire (hello, Eagle Scout!) but we used it less and less because of having to stay awake to be sure it was out, etc. We had a glass doors but still didn’t want to go to bed with embers too hot yet. ANd then our son was born with breathing problems and we NEVER used it. We almost paid about $5k to convert it to gas – but moved instead š Our new home, that we had built, has a gas fireplace. It puts out a RIDICULOUS amount of heat! We miss the crackle of the fire, but we can get that in the summer outside in a fire pit, right? š
ashley @ the handmade home says
My thoughts EXACTLY. YAY firepits! I couldn’t agree more. I hadn’t even thought about staying up late to make sure it’s out! HA! Thanks for that little reminder!