Hello.
When I moved into my home, many years ago, one of the first things I fell in love with was my fireplace. It had the Santa bricks (that's what I call them). They are the red, lined bricks. The front of the fireplace opening is very small, unlike what I had in my other place, which was so huge that I could sit inside it! The fireplace didn't have a mantle on it so that was one of the first things we purchased.
We went to Kent's Building and looked at fireplace mantles. They were very expensive. The service guy who waited on us said for us to wait a minute. He came back and brought us to a complete fireplace mantle and outside closure. It was unfinished so we could stain it or paint it whatever we like. The price was only $150.00 dollars but the actual price was $650. The person who ordered it special, didn't come back for it so Kent's sold it to us.
We brought it home and pushed it up against our own fireplace with our bricks already in place and it fit perfectly as if it was made for our fireplace. We couldn't believe it! We decided to stain it with a cherry red stain, to match our existing furniture at the time. So I sanded and then stained it myself. I usually don't do well to paint or stain anything, because I paint everything in my way!!!
Later years, my cousin Richard, put a back on the mantle, which didn't come with any. I lost many things down the back of the mantle. The back was stained the same colour and no one ever could guess that it didn't come as one piece.
Throughout the years, cracks began going across the red, lined bricks, leading upwards. The crack became longer and wider. I knew it was time to call in a fireplace guy to see what could be done and if I could afford it. There was a huge gap between the fireplace and the walls so I wanted this to be fixed as well.
I made a number of calls and left messages, but you know, it amazes me how few called me back. One person actually came out to my home to give me an estimate. The other company called but never came out and none of the other companies I call, ever called me back. I guess it does pay to do your research.
I had an idea of what I wanted, it was rocks or stones. The man came out and looked over the fireplace carefully and quoted $1500. Well, I couldn't afford that. We discuss it for a while and he finally came down to $1200. I agreed. We sat down and picked out what type of fireplace I wanted it to look like.
I ended up with Sandstone. It has a tinge of green in it, which would go with all the colours in my living room. Prior to this, I didn't have a hearth but I wanted one. He was able to raise the flat hearth that I had up to about 5 inches and he put two huge sandstones on it for the hearth. He made the hearth even with the actual inside of the fireplace. He also did over the inside bricks. He said I shouldn't use the fireplace as a shredder and to not burn Christmas and other papers in it. Actually, I don't use it all that much anyway and I do get it cleaned every two years. He inspected it and said it was pretty clean.
I loved this colour for many years, but now I want to paint it an antique white. I placed a colour block up against it and the sandstone came to life! I'll post his name on an update. So folks, if you think you WANT to fix your fireplace, I'd recommend doing it. It will make a big different to your room and your comfort. Thanks for your time reading my blog.
Debbie
When I moved into my home, many years ago, one of the first things I fell in love with was my fireplace. It had the Santa bricks (that's what I call them). They are the red, lined bricks. The front of the fireplace opening is very small, unlike what I had in my other place, which was so huge that I could sit inside it! The fireplace didn't have a mantle on it so that was one of the first things we purchased.
We went to Kent's Building and looked at fireplace mantles. They were very expensive. The service guy who waited on us said for us to wait a minute. He came back and brought us to a complete fireplace mantle and outside closure. It was unfinished so we could stain it or paint it whatever we like. The price was only $150.00 dollars but the actual price was $650. The person who ordered it special, didn't come back for it so Kent's sold it to us.
We brought it home and pushed it up against our own fireplace with our bricks already in place and it fit perfectly as if it was made for our fireplace. We couldn't believe it! We decided to stain it with a cherry red stain, to match our existing furniture at the time. So I sanded and then stained it myself. I usually don't do well to paint or stain anything, because I paint everything in my way!!!
Later years, my cousin Richard, put a back on the mantle, which didn't come with any. I lost many things down the back of the mantle. The back was stained the same colour and no one ever could guess that it didn't come as one piece.
Throughout the years, cracks began going across the red, lined bricks, leading upwards. The crack became longer and wider. I knew it was time to call in a fireplace guy to see what could be done and if I could afford it. There was a huge gap between the fireplace and the walls so I wanted this to be fixed as well.
I made a number of calls and left messages, but you know, it amazes me how few called me back. One person actually came out to my home to give me an estimate. The other company called but never came out and none of the other companies I call, ever called me back. I guess it does pay to do your research.
I had an idea of what I wanted, it was rocks or stones. The man came out and looked over the fireplace carefully and quoted $1500. Well, I couldn't afford that. We discuss it for a while and he finally came down to $1200. I agreed. We sat down and picked out what type of fireplace I wanted it to look like.
I ended up with Sandstone. It has a tinge of green in it, which would go with all the colours in my living room. Prior to this, I didn't have a hearth but I wanted one. He was able to raise the flat hearth that I had up to about 5 inches and he put two huge sandstones on it for the hearth. He made the hearth even with the actual inside of the fireplace. He also did over the inside bricks. He said I shouldn't use the fireplace as a shredder and to not burn Christmas and other papers in it. Actually, I don't use it all that much anyway and I do get it cleaned every two years. He inspected it and said it was pretty clean.
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| These are pictures of my Santa brick fireplace and as you're looking at it, the large crack goes up from about the 4th brick over. I loved these bricks but I need a change. My fireplace guy said they don't even make these kind of bricks anymore. Too bad, they are nice with the lines through them. They look or remind me of Santa bricks. |
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| While he was doing this, I was getting ready to have my wood floors redone & the walls painted. |
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| The light spots are the sandstone beginning to dry and it will brighten right up! |
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| You can see the two huge slabs he put down for the hearth. |
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| This was the artist who brought new life to my fireplace! He really knew his stuff. |
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| See how lovely the sandstone is and how it brightens up the fireplace. |
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| I really love it! I'm so happy I did it and you are thinking of changing your fireplace, don't hesitate, you'll love it!! |
I loved this colour for many years, but now I want to paint it an antique white. I placed a colour block up against it and the sandstone came to life! I'll post his name on an update. So folks, if you think you WANT to fix your fireplace, I'd recommend doing it. It will make a big different to your room and your comfort. Thanks for your time reading my blog.
Debbie
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