elation

i am elated to have found an antique mantle for my fireplace.
for three years i have been on the search for a truly unique mantle.
the problem...i had already ripped up the old one and it has looked...well
let's just say very undesirable...rough...industrial...unfinished.
i have tried to ignore it and even
hung a painting on the framework to hide the pink insulation and the big
galvanized flute for the chimney.
the last couple of years, at christmas, i even put nails in
the 2 x 4's and hung our stockings....trying to make the best of the ugliness.

well thursday i went into one of my favourite stores in
leiper's fork...all of about 4 exist, in our very small
town...although each one is very chic and individual.
my favourite is serenite maison.
i was going in to say hi to my friend alex who owns the store...and
buy some of the best smelling candles...pineapple~ginger.
i was browsing around for fun...it is the best antique store for that kind of thing.


when low and behold i see an old firebox...like the ones in all the period
movies i love...oh bliss...i have scoured stores for these...looked at endless
renovation mags for the right one...now here it sits inconspicuously waiting
for me to find it.


but even better than that..and this is an amazing find...tucked in a back
corner behind a leather fainting couch perched on top of a marbled
table...i see this beautifully aged mantle with a patina on it i
absolutely love....will it work...not sure...i need to get dh and
see if we can give it a try in the space..

a day or so later...oh my it fits p...p...perfectly...brings the room together
in a way it was lacking....i am in love....and a bit excited. after all...three
years with a naked fireplace is a long time to wait for the right piece.

i remember one of rachel's friends(oldest daughter) coming to visit for the first time and saying
really cool fireplace...so industrial...uuuuuggggghhhh~!

well not anymore...of course now the real work begins...walls need to be

built...surround needs to be found....tile?....granite?...mosiac?....

the floor piece has to be decided on...slate i think?

no worries...i have found the main ingredient...a real focal point for the gathering room...the mantle. all the rest will fall into place...now for the money...i will be checking the

money tree outback...

...now where was that tree...it was here last year...wasn't it?