Living Room - Fireplace Mantel and Wood Radiator Covers

Living in an older home has brought us much joy. Back 100 years ago things were done by eye. We are always amazed at how nothing is level when we use a ruler. We have learned to hang pictures by eye. Rulers are only guides in our home.
When we decided to update our living room our first thought was to change out the mantel and radiator covers.


Before: Not much of a mantel and the stones around the fireplace seemed kind of strange looking.


My husband cut a piece of plywood and nailed it to the paneling. We loved how much better the fireplace already looked.


The wood boards in the fireplace are from my son Karate days.


We updated to a gas fireplace. It's so lovely at night.

Now back to the mantel. It had to go. It just seemed to be too small in size. We wanted the room to be more formal.



Here's a side view of the fireplace stones. In between the stones were crumbling plaster that had been painted.


I know it looks really bad. Nothing at all fancy about the fireplace. Do you see why we needed to update it?



We are blessed to have gorgeous peg and grove hardwood plank floors


We went with real mahogany wood for the mantel. It took sometime getting the stain as dark as we wanted.  



I love the difference the new mantel makes. I think it's so much prettier than before.



The new mantel has really warmed up the room.

Even the radiators look so much better with their new wood covers.
 I also plastered over the paneling.

31 comments:

Holly @ Bella Nest said...

What a beautiful mantle makeover! Great job! I'm your newest fan!

Anonymous said...

LOVE your new mantle ! Can't wait to see the wall change. Thanks for stopping by. I'm your newest follower too:)

Suzy said...

Wow, Dee. What a huge transformation! You did a great job keeping the new fireplace surround and mantle in keeping with the character of your home. It looks just wonderful!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Your new fireplace surround makes your fireplace really stand out as a great feature in your room!

Audrey said...

WOW Dee, that really made a difference. Looks really rich now.

Katherines Corner said...

you did a lot of work and it looks lovely! No changes in our living room. Unless new toss pillows count, giggle. Hugs

Cindy Adkins said...

Wow, what a difference! It looks fabulous, Dee! Your hardwood floors are gorgeous, also.
Hugs, Cindy

Jann said...

The new mantel really did make a difference!

hong kong property said...

looks really nice!:)

Hong Kong property

Anonymous said...

looks fabulous!! Are you going to show us the new paint job? Would love to see the whole transformation. Love your wood floors and the windows are gorgeous

The Polka Dot Closet said...

That is gorgeous! It looks so rich, I love the radiator cover too. I know what you mean about the old houses not being level, what's with that, I guess I never thought that they did not have levels? or rulers?

PS your little Dee angel is cute!

Carol

Zaa said...

Your mantle makeover is fabulous... We're in the process of renovating an old Victorian and we too are having fun with the mantles...( Ha Ha)..I removed a 125 year old mantle with a 250 year old one from an old Virginian plantation ( ha Ha) figure that one out... The nice thing about old homes is that they smile when dress them up...Thanks for sharing .. Hugs

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Wow the mantel is beautiful. I love old homes and have one myself. But old homes do fight us whenever we do work, but always thank us later by looking beautiful. So glad you stopped by and liked my Valentine Heart pillow.

Lori said...

Hi Dee, Just wanted to let you know that I am awarding you the Versatile Blogger award...love your blog, Lori
http://www.bleak2unique.com/2012/01/versatile-blogger.html

Bliss said...

Looks good, nice rich color on the wood. What updates have I don't to my living room? I put away the Christmas ornaments. Mr. Bliss tore out a built in entertainment center that housed the big 'ol dino of a TV and hung a flat screen. And now it waits......

~Bliss~

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Dee...what a beautiful job you guys did. Makes a huge difference. I am having troubles commenting, pages going blank, etc.

Gwen @ The Bold Abode said...

Wow, that is a dramatic transformation! It's gorgeous!!!

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

Wow! It is gorgeous! I love the dark mahogany.

Pam

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Dee,

Wow, hats off to both of you. Such a difference with both the mantel and the radiator cover! That did pay off. One wonders who got the idea for mutilating a room in such a way as you bought it? No sense for design and for looks.
But you managed it very well.
We did add our solid oak floor planks in 2007 and last year a Minka Aire Chantal Fortepierre Energy Star ceiling fan was added... Just in time for our HOT summer. Did post about Our Living Room on November 8, 2011. It is below my posts in my Blog Archive.
We're still happy with all of it! Hard work pays off.
Hope you soon will finish your jobs.

Love to you,

Mariette

Gloria said...

The new mantel and dark color looks rich and elegant, very pretty. Well, I have new drapes, removed furniture, rearranged what remained, new afghans and side tables- hope to repaint the walls and trim once the weather turns to Spring- which could arrive in May around here!

Kathy said...

Lovely fireplace but it really pops with the new rich mantle. It makes all the difference, even though we love old houses sometimes some items just new an updated face lift. I know you are enjoying the room with your new painted walls. Coming over from Ivy and Elephant, Drop by for a visit, I am your newest follower, Kathy

Unknown said...

Great job on that! Looks really good!!!

Honey at 2805 said...

What a lovely job! Thank you for sharing this fabulous post to Potpourri Friday!

Gypsy Heart said...

Just gorgeous my friend! You are both so talented. What color did you paint the room?

xo
Pat

SImple and Serene Living said...

Your mantle is gorgeous. I makes a huge difference. Can't wait to see the new paint. New follower from Wow us Wednesdays
Laura
http://www.imsovintage.blogspot.com/

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Beautiful transformation. It adds so much warmth and depth to the space. Love the wood surround.

SheilaG @ Plum Doodles said...

Wow, that is quite a transformation. The mantel is gorgeous and plastering over the paneling made a huge difference. Looks great!

foreverdecorating said...

A lot of work but it sure did pay off. It is more airy and beautiful now.

Unknown said...

your wall looks good before the painting but its beautiful and simple after the painting. and your simple decorative radiator cover makes it nice too, and you have a very nice place.

Unknown said...



plasterer sutton
I'm reminded of Jesus' words to the persnickety Pharisees: "You have strained out the gnat & gulped down the camel."

Unknown said...



plasterer sutton
I'm reminded of Jesus' words to the persnickety Pharisees: "You have strained out the gnat & gulped down the camel."

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