3 Fireplace Mantel Makeovers using Chalk Paint & Wax

March 14, 2013 By 8 Comments

How fun is this???  I recently had the pleasure of being commissioned to makeover not one, but three fireplace mantels!  The owners of this beautiful Tuscan Style home just happen to be my cousins.  They moved here last year from Canada and I’m so happy to have them living so close.  So although they love their new home, they were not the ones that chose all the finishing touches in it.  They have already made several changes including wall colors, but felt like the fireplaces were just a little blah.   This is where I came into the picture, and I was happy to help!  Here’s a few before and after photos of the transformations.

In The Office

In The Living Room

In The Family Room


This whole process took two full days to complete.  We decided the office was the place to start since they were most anxious to change the color from “baby you know what” to anything else.  (laughing)

I chose CeCe Caldwell’s Chalk Paint for this job!
First layer ~ Virginia Chestnut

Second layer ~ Kansas Wheat

Then I distressed by using a damp cloth.

This is where it gets fun but it’s also the most labor intensive.

This is a close up after I finished it off with a mixture of clear and dark wax.

Yahoo!!!  Beautiful and the stain is nowhere to be found!!!
Next, I moved into the living room.  

Randal (man of the house) prefers dark, rich colors so I wanted to bring out the colors in the brick.  I used multiple layers, first Kansas Wheat, then Vintage White and finally Vermont Slate.  After distressed with  several damp cloths, I used a mixture of clear and dark wax to seal and protect.

Oh…and this would be my Supervisor for the job!  Isn’t she the cutest?  Her name is Dalis and she is such a happy baby.  She’s waving to you all, that’s why her hands are blurry!  I think I’m just going to have to schedule some play dates now that work is finished.

It really makes a statement in the room now!  It’s my favorite out of the three!
Next comes the family room fireplace.  This one ends up being Randal’s favorite!

The base color was already a nice color it just didn’t stand out, so I suggested just using dark wax to accent and give it depth.


This was actually more difficult than I thought it would be. The details on the front of this fireplace were so intricate and deep that it was hard to get the wax into every nook and cranny.  Now it’s a focal point in the room instead of just blending into the wall.  By the time I took these pictures, it was pitch black outside so these were the only two pictures that turned out.  Megan (sweet lady of the house) is going to send my some more photos and I’ll add them into this post.


This very special family of three know me so well; they surprised me with a BONUS…gift certificates to Starbucks!  LOVE it (and them)!!!  Thanks guys!!!



Sharing with:  Creatively Tuesday

Filed Under: For the Bedroom, Living Spaces

Don't miss a thing! Get posts delivered to your inbox.
Just enter your email address:

Previous Post: 

Comments

  1. Cynthia says:
    March 14, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Fantastic!! The baby is adorable too.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  2. Suzan Sweatman says:
    March 14, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous all of them – although the last one just might be my favorite too!
    And Dalis is just too cute for words!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  3. Heather - New House New HOme says:
    March 14, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    What a wonderful transformation!! Love the first one!

    Reply
  4. Debbie@Debbie-Dabble and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas says:
    March 16, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Love all of them!! I wish I had room for just one fire place in my little townhome!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    Reply
    • Vintage Street Designs says:
      March 17, 2013 at 12:06 am

      Thanks so much Debbie! Maybe you need to build yourself one of those faux fireplaces. I’ve seen some lovely ones floating around blogland. My daughter is building a new home right now but didn’t want to add the expense of a fireplace so I’m trying to talk her into one! :)

      Reply

Speak Your Mind

*