Tuesday 31 May 2016

Fireplace Makeover

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on my last post. It really was a beautiful place to visit.

We've recently decorated our living room. It really needed a spruce up and was one of those jobs that kept being put off, mainly because it meant moving the (very) heavy sofa, taking the TV down from the wall and all the preparation. We bit the bullet, went and bought the paint and it didn't take as long as we thought it would - I'm not good with the chaos that decorating can bring, but it was relatively painless.

The only thing left to do was the fire surround. We were very lucky that we picked it up free from free cycle several years ago. I should have taken a before picture, but as it was spur of the moment I'll have to rely on an older photo of it.






I think it's made from resin and had a stone effect to it. Very neutral, matching the decor around it.

Our colour scheme has changed, 3 walls are a very pale grey up to the picture rails, then white above and the other wall is a darker grey. I also bought new grey curtains, the sofa and carpet are neutral, furniture white. The fireplace looked old and a bit insipid.

So I thought I'd give this a try



The cap feels and looks as the paint should. We weren't sure if it would 'take' but the instructions listed most surfaces, so worth a try!

The hardest part was lugging it outside to be sprayed. It's extremely heavy and had to be inched through the house and out of the garden into our 10 foot (I think this is a local word, it's the space between the houses leading to garages other 10 foots.... you still with me!)

Husband leant it against our fence on some cardboard leftover packaging...





He sprayed and sprayed, then had to nip back to B&Q for a second can, then sprayed some more...




There are a few ridges, nooks and crannies that the paint needed to get into, but it went on well




We left it to dry for a couple of hours, then brought it inside to finish drying overnight.

I'm so thrilled with it, it looks like a new piece of furniture, and doesn't look 'painted' at all





It has the 'roughness' as if it really were stone, but is still smooth enough to make it easy to wipe over and keep clean.



Next on the list is a new hearth, but that will have to wait a bit. For now I'm more than happy with my 'new' fireplace.

Take care
xxx






26 comments:

  1. It turned out beautiful! I admire your decorating skills. It looks lovely. Have a great week, Pat

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    1. Thank you, hubby was the paint sprayer though xx

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  2. What an amazing change. It does look like stone and I love the color! I really want to update our living room but then I look around and think, where in the world do I begin!

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    1. I know that feeling, I'm trying to declutter as we go xx

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  3. It has totally been transformed and changed. Loved that you were able to do that, brilliant. Rightly pleased I should say.

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  4. That's a great effect! I would never have thought of using a spray like that. Wonderful job! x

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    1. Thank you, it has me casting my eye around wondering what else I can 'paint' xx

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  5. What a difference, it looks really good. So glad you are pleased with the new effect and your new room too.
    Lisa x

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  6. Wow, what a transformation! It looks really good :-)

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  7. Hello Cheryl - how wonderful your fireplace looks!! Such a brilliant transformation, it has really set your room off, hasn't it? You must be justifiably pleased with it! Well done!
    Isn't it lovely to have nice fresh decor in your home, but, oh, how I agree with you about all the chaos that reigns until it's all finished!1
    Have a lovely week,
    Lynda.

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    1. Thank you, it makes a lovely focal point, much more eye catching xx

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  8. That turned out GREAT!!!

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  9. That turned out absolutely beautiful!!!

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  10. It looks fabulous, I love the effect it gives like real stone.

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  11. Really good love it 😄😄 room has had a proper spring clean haha Makes you feel good doesn't it ?

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  12. Oh I do like the darker color. Stands out now and really looks great. Well done.

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  13. An impressive makeover, looks amazing.

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  14. I love what you have done to the fireplace! Great idea and it looks fantastic :-0

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  15. Wow, your living room looks great Cheryl!

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  16. Cheryl, you did well! It looks fab.
    Amalia
    xo

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  17. Surprisingly effective stuff, I bet it's not the cheapest though right? Still, it gave a great end result!

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