How to Make Fire

So Matt has been walking around for the past month quoting Tom Hanks in Castaway.  You know the part...when he finally makes fire.  He grunts.  He pounds his chest.  He talks like a caveman.  It has been quite interesting.  As long as he doesn't replace me with a volleyball we should be ok.

So how to build a fireplace...

First, you start with the ugliest fireplace you can find.


Check.















I mean one that new hardwoods can't even make look better...

You rip it out and build a casing and some weird shape on the floor...

Once the casing is built.  You start working on the hearth.  

You have to stop and sweep several times along the way (which is why I will never build a fireplace)...

Always keeping things neat and tidy...

You gotta pick the PERFECT stones...

 Remember that casing?  It was important because that is where you build up the beautiful stacked stone.

As a mason's daughter I can appreciate some beautiful stone work.  And this is BEAUTIFUL stone work!

And then you work all day and into the night (which is why there are workshop lights lighting the room) to build out the trim work and mantle.  A mantle big and sturdy enough to hang some heavy stockings from at Christmas time!  Or a Volkswagen bus.  Brian and Darren assure me I could hang a Volkswagen bus from the mantle if I wanted to.  Should I ever want to.  

Ok then.

   

And...VOILA!  You get a fireplace.  A beautiful one.  Now here is where we have differing opinions.  Currently, it is only primed and waiting for paint.  There is a bit of a controversy over whether it should be painted the bright white color of the trim (similar to what it is painted now but see the color of the baseboards).  Or the softer white color of the cabinets (see the small cabinet door leaning against the fireplace). Some say that the wood around the fireplace is technically trim so it should be the color of the trim.  Others say it is such a stately fireplace it should be a focal point and stand out more.  It should pull the kitchen and family room together and when in the kitchen it should draw your eyes to it.  

What do you say??????

More to come...