Fireplace Makeover

When you enter our home you walk right into the living room.  I like and dislike this at the same time.  I think it's nice to have an entry way that welcomes your guests into your home and gives them an idea of what to expect next.  This house will give me the opportunity to create my own entry of sorts.  If I can pull it off, it will look amazing.

For now the only thing that is greeting guests is my oversized couch and chairs and a fireplace that lacks any sense of style.  That is until this week.  The fireplace finally got a major upgrade and I could not be more pleased!!

Here is the before:

Very unexciting and with no mantle!!  How can you not have a mantle?!?  Where would I put my Christmas lights and pretty things?  

Pinterest became by friend in the search for the perfect mantle for this space.  I lean traditional in my taste but really enjoy an element or two of modern.  I knew right away I didn't want your traditional fireplace, but I also didn't want anything too modern.  Below are some of the fireplaces I pinned to my board for inspiration.

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I liked all of these for different reasons, but none of them "spoke" to me - if you know what I mean.  When I came across this fireplace though, I knew it was the one!

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I just loved the modern lines with a hint of traditional still there.  The key really is the top being more boxy and not angling out so much at the base of the mantle.  That became very apparent in the construction process and we had to do a few tweaks but the result could not be more perfect and I am THRILLED with how it looks.  

Doesn't it look awesome?!?!  I am so happy with it and it has made a HUGE difference in the way the house feels and how I feel about the house.  I can't wait to decorate it, but I'm going to make sure the paint is good and dry before I stick anything on it.

How I got the mantle is quite the story and I will fill you in on that in my next post.  Until then I hope you like this as much as I do.  It's perfection to me!