Fire!

Just trying to get your attention :) This post is actually about our fireplace. When we moved in there was a large gas fireplace with a faux rock fireplace surround. The surround extended about 1 1/2 feet into the room. There was also more stone extending into the room on the floor about another foot. The stone on the floor was removed when the floors were re-finished. Tony has been itching to get the rest of the fireplace removed and to put in a more appropriately scaled fireplace. We are still planning to have a gas insert but will put an insert in that fits the original fireplace instead of using up precious space in our small living/dining room.

Here are some pictures of the removal...

Tony plans to tile over the brick instead of trying to clean it up as it is in pretty bad shape. The tile will be extended onto the floor as well. He is also planning a mantle piece with legs on either side of the fireplace.  

Painting Party

We finally painted the living room last weekend! It looks so great and after the painting was finished Tony installed some of the baseboard trim. The room is really starting to come together. Although you can see in some of these pictures one major project still to be completed is the fireplace. (More on that to come in a later post). You'll note that I'm carrying Iris around while painting. We were using our favorite paint brand, American Pride, which has very low VOCs and no detectable odor so it is really safe to be around.

Flowers from the Garden: Fairy Garden Seeds

I picked up a packet of flower seeds from my local garden store a few months back. It was called the "Fairy Garden" mix. Now I've got my very own fairy garden brightening these gray summer days!