Rustic Fireplace Mantels for Modern Homes

Reflecting an era of log cabin simplicity, rustic fireplace mantels are making a strong return into the mainstream of modern living. With hand-hewn textures, hardy wood and affordability in equal measure, handsome rustic mantels are cozying up fireplaces everywhere—quicker than you can say Abe Lincoln.


Going Back to the Past

Georgia mantel manufacturer Park Pigott says homeowners are specific about styling when it comes to rustic fireplace mantels. Top sellers for Pigott include reproductions of an 1850s Kentucky farmhouse mantel along with Craftsman-style mantels. He also says hand-hewn, crude-looking fireplace mantels from earlier eras are becoming a hit with today’s homeowners.

Popular styles in rustic fireplace mantels include raw, hand-hewn pine planks that can be sanded and stained as a weekend project or bought prefinished ready to install. There are even simpler fixtures consisting of pine logs sawed in half and set into special brackets.

“A lot of people are buying timber frame and log homes today,” Pigott says of the trend to get rustic. “Twenty years ago, most people wouldn’t dream of living in a log house, even if it was brand new. A hundred years ago, you either lived in a log cabin or, if you were wealthy, you lived in a nice house with a nice mantel. If you lived in a log cabin, the mantel was a lot more primitive.”

Creating the Rustic Fireplace Mantel

Even more primitive than the style of rustic fireplace mantels is the tool used to create the look. Called an adz, this is a tool that has been used for centuries in woodworking. It has a blade perpendicular to the handle unlike an ax whose blade is parallel.

“Hand-hewn means shaped with an adz,” Pigott explains. “There are two kinds of adzes: one cuts flat and the other cuts curved.” Pigott says his crew uses the curved variety, which he likens to a hoe with a curved blade. “We start off with a beam that’s been planed down and then do the hewing.”

The process, which creates a dappled look in the rustic fireplace mantel—as if someone repeatedly dipped at it with an especially sharp ice cream scoop—is an arduous one. Centuries ago, a woodsman would stand astride the plank of wood, take a downward swipe with the blade, and then walk backwards, repeating the motion. Today’s process isn’t much different. “It’s a lot of work,” Pigott says.


The Right Wood for the Job

The work doesn’t stop there; once the wood is shaped, it has to be dried in giant kilns, a process that can take up to a month. To help cut down on the drying time, Pigott uses white pine because of its porous quality.

“White pine is softer and dries faster than green wood,” Pigott says, adding oak and cherry woods aren’t suitable for rustic fireplace mantels because they take so long to dry out. “Anything you build out of wood will buckle, warp, split or shrink if it’s not dried properly. Even construction-grade lumber is dried to some degree.”

Pigott says many people who want a rustic beam mantel make the mistake of just cutting down a tree, sawing it up and hanging it. “But once they burn a fire or two, it will buckle and warp.”

Another attractive feature of kiln-dried white pine is the price. “People who buy rustic fireplace shelves typically want something inexpensive,” Pigott says. “A full fireplace mantel can cost from $2,000 to $2,500, but a rustic fireplace mantel beam sells for as little as $250 upwards to $1,000.”

Wordless Wednesday #3 - Caption My Photo

Please leave a comment below. Caption my photo and be featured on my blog.

Are You A Do-It-Yourselfer? A Weekend Warrior? Check This Out

Is there a Mr. Fix-It in your house? A Do-It-Yourselfer? A Weekend Warrior?

A lot of guys take pride in being able to maintain their own home. They wouldn’t dream of hiring someone to replace a couple roof tiles or fix that loose step on the basement stairs. But even seasoned Home Improvers know that some tasks are biting off more than they can chew—especially after a 40+ hour week.

Take that ugly fireplace in the living room. With new paint on the walls and new carpet, that fireplace is going to stick out like a sore thumb.

Mr. Fix-It knows that hiring a contractor to tear out a brick fireplace is going to hurt. Oh yeah. He’s going to feel that pain in his pride and his wallet. But breaking out the cold chisel and the sledgehammer, covering the floors, shoring up the walls...no, even Mr. Fix-It knows better than to open that can of worms.

Maybe the subject of painting the bricks has come up. But isn’t that against some kind of rule? Isn’t a brick fireplace supposed to look like...brick?


Here’s how an all-in-one fireplace paint kit can get you out of this jam:

• Paint kits with multiple colors give your painted fireplace the look of real brick.
• $200 gets you all the tools and supplies you need. 
• Heat-resistant paint is safe to use in a working fireplace. 
• Best of all, you can remodel that fireplace yourself in a single day. If you start on Saturday morning, you might just be done before the game comes on.
• 
  

Whether the Mr. Fix-It in your house has already transformed the garage into a dream workshop or still has to dig through an old toolbox to find a Phillips screwdriver, there is a do-it-yourself option for remodeling an ugly fireplace. At a fraction of the cost of hiring a contractor, what have you got to lose?

Use Brick Fireplace Paint to Transform Your Fireplace

The fireplace captures everyone’s attention in the room, and the place where people gather to enjoy each other's company, a cup of hot tea, or a nice book. So you don't want an ugly, dated fireplace that's an eyesore instead of an enjoyment. Choosing the right brick fireplace paint transforms the look of your fireplace and makes it enjoyable again.

There are two main kinds of fireplace paint: High temp paint for the firebox, and brick paint for the exterior face of the fireplace. Any high temp paint you use should be rated to tolerate temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and also come in colors other than black. Stovebrite offers high temp paint in eight different shades, each one great for dressing up your dingy old firebox. Check out these two newly painted fireboxes, one in off-white and the other in black:

How to Choose Brick Fireplace Paint

Choosing paint for your fireplace bricks involves a higher challenge. Do you want to go with a solid color, or for a real brick look? It's easy to choose a color and paint it onto your fireplace. The problem is that it just looks like painted brick. This isn't a bad choice, and it will look a great deal better than ugly, plain brick. However, you don't get the comfort and charm of real brick. We often get calls asking if Brick-Anew will work on a painted fireplace, since the owner doesn't like the look of painted brick (by the way, yes, Brick-Anew works on painted brick).

The key to getting that real brick look is to use coordinated applicators and varying shades of paint. This costs a bit more, but in the end you'll have the charming real brick look that you want.

Tips When Using Brick Fireplace Paint

• Use the right tools, including rollers, brushes, and sponges to get varying shades and patterns that are characteristic of brick.
  
• Use coordinated shades and colors of paint that blend together and give you that real brick look.
  

We highly recommend the all-inclusive Brick-Anew kit to make this job easy. It includes all of the applicators and shades of paint you need to paint your fireplace. Thousands of homeowners all across America have already experienced what Brick-Anew does for the look of a fireplace.

Brick Anew has a wide selection of fireplace paint you can check out any time.

Dinner by The Fire 3 - Healthier Frito Pie

By Matthew Thompson for Eating Well Magazine

As a native of New England, I had never heard of Frito Pie until a Texas-born co-worker offered me some. And then…wow! As a fan of both salty, crunchy Fritos and spicy chili (my parents are from LA, so I'm not a totalYankee!), I couldn't get over this delicious dish.

For those not in the know, Frito Pie is essentially super chili. Traditionally, it's made by pouring a delicious, spicy chili over a bed of Fritos and then topping with a slathering of cheese (or Cheese Whiz). Yum!

But, as you might imagine, Frito Pie isn't exactly the world's healthiest meal. Fritos, while delicious, are packed with sodium (510 mg in a 3-ounce serving!) and saturated fat (4.5 g in a 3-ounce bag). Add to that the salt and fat in a serving of beef chili and globs of cheese on top and you've got a recipe for heart disease.

Don't Miss: 8 Tricks for the Best Healthy Chili
Hearty, Healthy Chili Recipes

Read More »

EXCLUSIVE: Hunger Games/ Vampire Diaries Set Artist Loves Brick-Anew

Renee Lesselroth Roberts

Renee Lesselroth Roberts’ career has been a wild ride.  She’s worked as a scenic artist on movie sets, built a business faux painting walls, cabinets and furniture, and created her own original art using a variety of mediums.  But that’s just the beginning for this Atlanta-based artist.  Her passion comes through as she talks about her work.

What is your favorite kind of art to create?

I’ve always loved painting realistic scenes, animals, and people’s faces.  As I get older I’m finding that I like to paint abstract designs.  I enjoy multi-texture mediums that involve mica, acrylics, paper mache, glazes,  gold- leafing and lots of  metallics.

What types of faux painting have you done?

For 18 years I’ve specialized in faux finishes.  I’ve faux painted cabinets and furniture to look antique and I’ve even painted a pool deck to look like cobblestone.  I’ve also painted walls to have a distressed, old world, Tuscan look.

How was your work on the television set of “The Vampire Diaries”?

It was a lot of fun.  I created caves out of styrofoam, mud, and moss.  We used hot glue and glue guns to create spider webs. I spent a lot of time painting tombstones.  It got a little stressful when the director would call me over in the middle of a scene when something didn’t look right on camera and I had to fix it.  I had to have a bag of tricks up my sleeve to fix any problem quickly since all the actors would be standing around waiting and watching.

What about “The Hunger Games” movie set?

I had to make everything look old.  The set had new walls and I had to use a variety of
paint techniques to make them look either distressed, or to resemble wood, stone,  or marble.  Sometimes it took layers and layers of paint to get the look I wanted.

You tried the Brick-Anew Paint Kit on a brick fireplace for one of your clients.  What do you think about the results?

The results were amazing. My client wanted to get rid of the dark colored brick in her den but wanted to keep the real brick look.  I didn’t have much time to spend on the project so I thought I’d try the Brick Anew Brick Fireplace Painting System.  We chose the twilight taupe, a light taupe/tan combination, which would lighten up her room.  The kit took out all the guesswork and trial and error.  The paint colors were perfect for the project.  There was no blending or trying to match colors.  The paint had the perfect sheen - not too shiny and not too flat so it really looked like real brick.  The paint was formulated to adhere to the brick so there would be no chipping or peeling.  There was no odor and a short drying time.   The clean up was a breeze.  I’d definitely recommend this product to anyone.  You don’t have to be an artist to use it, that’s for sure!

What do you plan to do next?
 
I plan on having a showing of my artwork this spring in Atlanta.  I have some acrylic
paintings on canvas and some other multi-texture art that will be on display.  I’m excited to finish the pieces I’m working on so I can put them in the show.

Reveling in the beauty of what used to be an ugly beast.

My husband and I purchased a house 2 years ago with the ugliest floor to ceiling brick fireplace. It was truly a dark, dreary eye sore and since our living room and dining room are a large open space it made both rooms look like a dungeon.

Last week I ordered your product in the twilight taupe. I should note, It was very helpful to have everything you need bundled up into one package, right down to the masking tape! The base coat took FOREVER, apparently we have a very porous fireplace. I ended up priming it first and then applying the base coat paint.

With that said, I am astounded by the difference in our fireplace after using brick-anew. The video was extremely helpful in understanding the steps. The results are still fantastic!

The photos speak for themselves! Unbelievable! I bought the clear coat and will apply that soon, for now I just revel in the beauty of what used to be an ugly beast. Feel free to share them.

Thank you! -  Julie R.

Wordless Wednesday #2 - Caption Our Photo

On Wednesdays all over the internet, bloggers post a photograph with no words to explain it on their blog. Hence the ‘wordless’ title. The idea is that the photo itself says so much that it doesn't need any description.

But, we want you to leave a comment and give us your best caption on this cozy brick fireplace photo. 

Decorating Tips and Tricks for your Fireplace

A fireplace can be a great addition to any room, giving the space character and a unique identity of its own. Functional fireplaces are also a great convenience in chilly winter months, giving homeowners the opportunity to cozy up to a warm flame and shake off the cold. When designing a room that contains a fireplace, it is essential to keep several different factors in mind to ensure that the fireplace is optimized effectively. The following tips offer a great starting point for those working with a home fireplace. 

Working with Size

It is important to keep the scale of the fireplace in mind when designing for a room that contains one of these features. For example, should a small fireplace be located in a large room, increasing the overall presence of the fireplace will help make it a focal point. This can be done by painting the mantel and surrounding wall in the same color. In turn utilizing complementary colors in the textiles and decor of the room will help tie the entire look together, giving the space a cohesive feel. Large fireplaces can be made more appealing by utilizing the space above the mantel to display a large portrait or mirror. 

Positioning the Fireplace

Homes that contain a fireplace already will need to be designed around the feature's location. For spaces where a fireplace will be added, it is important to think about the potential location options. Many contemporary homes feature fireplaces at eye level, allowing the fireplace to take the position of a painting or traditional wall decoration. This allows the fireplace to not only be functional, but also incorporates it into rooms where a floor position may not be ideal.  

Off-Season Decoration

Many homeowners neglect their fireplaces during warmer months, leaving the fireplace empty and devoid of activity. Rather than allowing the fireplace to go to waste, this space can actually serve as an interesting display space. Homeowners can use their imaginations to come up with inventive displays that will showcase the personality of the home's residents, while also giving the fireplace a way to shine without a log burning year round. 

Fireplaces are not only a beautiful design feature, but they can add a personal and homey feel to any space. By keeping the fireplace in mind when designing the room's surroundings, homeowners can make certain their space looks clean and dynamic. This will allow make certain that the home's residents are able to take advantage of the functional aspects of this design feature.

Check out these awesome ideas too!

Fireplace Glass Door Replacement

Brick Paint Kits

Dinner by The Fire 2 - Roasted Corn & Chicken Soup

Photo and recipe by Joyce Bahorich

Roasted Corn and Chicken Soup

4 tablespoons olive oil divided
1 can (15 ounces) yellow corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) white corn, drained
1 medium onion, diced
1 can  diced green chilis
1-1/2 pound cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
1-2 packets taco seasoning mix
4-6 cups chicken broth
½ cup instant brown rice
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Garnishes:  Southwestern tortilla chips, sour cream, cheddar cheese, fresh guacamole , more cilantro

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in large skillet until hot.  Add corn.  Cook until brown, about 10 minutes; stir often to prevent corn from burning.  Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, onion, and chiles.  Cook and stir 5 minutes.

Transfer mixture to a large pot.  Stir in shredded chicken.  Add seasoning mix and toss to combine.  Stir in chicken broth , black beans, rice, and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and add more chicken broth and taco seasoning if soup needs more liquid; add cilantro.  Simmer 15 minutes.  

Makes 8 servings

Joyce Bahorich