Home Improvement!

The last two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind as I've adjusted to working 40 hours a week and sadly, I've neglected the blog. I even forgot to post photos of our first home improvement project that we finished just in time for me to go back to work! The first order of business, once we got all the plantation shutters installed, was to create a new fireplace facade. The old one, of red brick, was dark and dreary and made our living room feel like a cave. That's one aspect of 1970's architecture I just don't dig. We initially painted it white but we wanted something warmer, something modern, and something that screamed pacific northwest. In a nod to our woodsy locale we decided on a wall of Douglas Fir. Our dear friend SJ, who is a fantastic wood worker and overall wonderful person, helped us to put this whole thing together.  She sourced the wood just south of Portland, drove it to the kiln to be dried, painstakingly cut it into hundreds of "subway tile" pieces, and managed the whole process. She taught me to tile, operate an electric drill, and appreciate the beauty of rustic, natural wood. She spent countless hours at our house and when she was done left me with a beautiful fireplace, a desire for a Ryobi drill of my own (the perfect size for a girl!), and a grateful heart. I could have never done this on my own. On a separate note, I am now able to change a light fixture all by myself, thanks to her!

The fireplace before (Note the two tone brick, white on top, red on bottom! Yeah, we lived with it like that because I didn't want to accidentally ruin the carpet with paint, but it was getting unbearable....)

Step one: gladly pull off the original mantle.

I actually helped! It was really more like I learned. SJ did most of the work.

The finished project! A coat of clear varnish brings out the warm tones of the wood.

Phil and JSM enjoying the new fireplace...

While I look forward to going to the library each workday I really look forward to the day when we can light our first fire! The rain has set in and the temperatures have lowered so it won't be long. In the meantime I will relax and enjoy the warmth of the room now that our first project is complete!