old beam mantle | happylaughs

Well first off, it was a year ago this week that we poured our foundation.

That was a very fast year.

Things are moving along. The rock guys have been here for their second week. These our different guys than the ones who rocked the outside of the fireplace. (That guy decided to add a few thousand dollars onto the bill, right as they were finishing up the outside of the fireplace.) So we made a change and could not be happier. Our new rock guys are great, and have worked so hard to give us what we want.

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This piece of wood for the mantle is huge. But it actually looks perfect for the size of the fireplace. Not too massive.

It took all three guys plus Cole to get the mantle in place.

It is perfectly imperfect….just my style.

We had to take down some rock in the beginning…because I kept making suggestions….and it got all catywampus….So I stayed out of their way and they worked their magic. I can’t wait to see how it looks with a hearth……and stockings?? 🎅 fingers crossed.

Happy Thursday.
H

We met with the rock guy this week. To talk about the fireplace. The firebox is going to be 42 inches deep by 60 inches wide. So the fireplace hearth itself will be eight feet eight inches across. And 28 feet tall. It was a bit of a shocker to look up and realize it was going that high.

I was a bit worried about the fireplace. I love stone, but I wanted to find something that fit my vision of this house. I came across this picture in Country Living magazine and my worry was gone. I didn’t know what it was called. Now I know….it’s dry stacked rock. I love how it has an old look to it. Our rock that we have picked out has a bit more brown in it. The all gray and charcoal color was much more expensive, and I thought the bit of brown would go well with the beams. We have a beam very much like the one in the photo to use as a mantle. I really like the arch below the mantle, ours calls for no arch…..I am pretty linear, so is our Architect. But that arch is pretty and might be an interesting change to all the straightness???? The farmhouse I grew up in has beautiful arched entryways made out of reclaimed brick….it is stunning. I still remember sitting and watching our family friend build them. ( I was probably 8, and it was so interesting to watch) Hmmmmm, I am going to have to revisit this arch thing. 🙂

We were going to have the same rock under the two wood stoves we are going to have. ( one across from the kitchen, and in the screened in porch. ) But being in the house now I think I have decided we are just going to put them on the concrete. I think it will be a cleaner look. And I was planning on storing/displaying my cast iron and enameled cook wear by the wood stove in the kitchen area. I love using cast iron and I love the look of it. My hubs has dutchovens for cooking on an open fire and I will bring those in and have them there too I think? This is still not for sure. Just a feeling that the rock on the fireplace will be enough.

H 🙂