Tara If you took a look at my previous (also the first!) renovation post, Beech Street Bungalow: Before, I'm sure you noticed how many fireplaces were in our new home! I love the character and warmth that they bring to a room, so needless to say, I was excited! Today's post gives you a little glimpse at what we've been working on and what we have in store for a very special fireplace.
The first step in our renovation process was to begin tearing out the existing walls. We wanted to do this for a number of reasons, the two most important ones being to make it more energy efficient and give it a more updated look. As we removed the first layer, we discovered bead board was what was hiding beneath it. This was a happy surprise due to hopes that we would be able to use some of the original walls!
The first step in our renovation process was to begin tearing out the existing walls. We wanted to do this for a number of reasons, the two most important ones being to make it more energy efficient and give it a more updated look. As we removed the first layer, we discovered bead board was what was hiding beneath it. This was a happy surprise due to hopes that we would be able to use some of the original walls!
As Phillip peeled the layers back from around the fireplace in the dining room area, he discovered a different brick that formed the chimney. If you have picked up on my style at all, you would know that I am more drawn to this rustic and industrial look rather than the classic and formal feel.
The newly discovered brick is known as "fire brick". The darker brick that made up the outside of the fireplace is known as decorative "wire cut" brick. This brick cannot withstand the heat as well as the fire brick can--which explains why the fire brick makes up the chimney! As we began to discuss the possibility of this brick being behind the wire cut brick, our wheels started turning. We decided to take the risk and begin removing the wire cut brick from the face of the fireplace.
We spent hours (and I mean HOURS) removing this brick, cleaning it up, and neatly stacking it only to be relocated two more times. You don't realize how many bricks it takes to build a fireplace until you tear one down!
We worked into the wee hours of the night in order to see what we would end up with. (And p.s. you will definitely want to wear dust masks if you ever decide to do this! The amount of mortar and coal dust we stirred up was amazing.)
This was what the dining room side looked like after all of our hard work:
Not glamorous, I know, but totally my style! The original fireplaces were coal burning, which means that they are more shallow than a traditional wood burning fireplace. Gas logs would work perfectly in this space, so we hope to have them installed in the future!
The very next weekend, we diligently started on the living room side of the fireplace. This is when it really started looking dramatic!
The very next weekend, we diligently started on the living room side of the fireplace. This is when it really started looking dramatic!
I'm not sure if you remember what the living and dining room area looked like before, so let me just remind you.
So after removing the wire cut brick from the living room side as well, this is what we got:
We love how it turned out! We decided to go with a more open concept and let this fireplace take center stage. The beautiful glass french doors that were on either side of the fireplace are being lovingly relocated to accommodate this change.
After spending a lot of time (days upon days) tearing out and carrying load after load to the dumpster, this project was such a fun encouragement. It was a simple and quiet reminder that the best is yet to come. It's little finds like this along the way that make the aching bones and restless nights worth it.
I can't wait to share another update with you soon. I think I'll take you on a tour of the walls! I'll tell you more about the beautifully colored strips of bead board you see above and what we have planned for them.
After spending a lot of time (days upon days) tearing out and carrying load after load to the dumpster, this project was such a fun encouragement. It was a simple and quiet reminder that the best is yet to come. It's little finds like this along the way that make the aching bones and restless nights worth it.
I can't wait to share another update with you soon. I think I'll take you on a tour of the walls! I'll tell you more about the beautifully colored strips of bead board you see above and what we have planned for them.
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