You are not looking at a fire in Bossy’s wine glass, you are looking at a fire in a fireplace behind Bossy’s wine glass, in particular the fireplace Bossy and her husband built with their bare hands, and really what other kind of hands are there?
When Bossy and her husband first purchased their house, they were relieved it didn’t have a fireplace since they were moving from a carriage house on a farm in Virginia, and that carriage house was heated exclusively with a wood stove.
When, a handful of years later, Bossy and her husband decided they missed the hearth concept, Bossy began researching fireplace options. First she turned to the resources she has on hand from her days as an Interior Decorator.
While there is no doubt wood stoves, like the one on the farm, are entirely productive, Bossy wanted an open hearth. She also quickly decided she wanted that hearth elevated, and she wanted the whole fireplace brought into the room as opposed to flush with the wall.
Bossy’s research also extended to the materials she and her husband employed on the project, such as stained concrete, plaster, and a salvage barn beam in lieu of a mantel:
And, yes, while it’s true Bossy’s exhaustive research made everyone who knows Bossy lose all will to live, in the end it informed decisions that contributed to the room truly being used and loved.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you tell Bossy about a home project that was either a success or failure based on your research, or lack thereof?
And be sure to check back later today for the successiest of failures on the web.
Not a ten worder today. Instead have question. Did the two of you also put in the chimney? We have an old chimney (100+ years) in our farm house in VA. Can’t possibly afford to have professionals do anything to it but would love one day to get a fireplace up and going. We have a propane “wood stove” right now. Just wondering what your chimney process was like.
Can this wait ’til I tackle the kitchen this Fall?
[assuming I have a job by then and can afford it]
mold. removal and redo success based on lots of research.
Love letters to neighborhood roofs resulted in learning Brands/colors.
Drawing one bazillion porches finally resulted in correct proportion porch.
Vinyl! Hardwood! Laminate! OMG! So—got what Consumer Reports recommended.
greenhouse. epic fail. ended up as ski storage.
Wallpaper stripping disaster turns into textured plaster wall success.
Who said sand in paint produces non-slippery step surface? Liars!
No, but that is one bee you ti full fireplace!
Nails to hold up a chain of Christmas lights? Yes!
Paint the interior of the house, which means one bathroom.
Bought house with huge DIY list… haven’t started yet. Tomorrow?
Painted squares on wall. Now I don’t want to move.
Renting so I don’t have to think about home improvements.
Art student daughter stencilled bricks on hideous concrete patio. Stunning!
My hollow baby heads dented as we ascended the steps.
(a picture would help here)
TOILET IN A BOX
ANYONE CAN DO
SUNDAY
CALLED PLUMBER
Braswell water conditioner. Totally researched. Total failure. Bitter? You betcha.
Our apartment. Really nice till leaky upstairs neighbors moved in.
Cut countertops to fit new stove. Countertop is now crooked.
can not get my mind off of Bossy’s husband’s hands.
Beige carpet right up to the front door?! Stupid developers.
Wallpaper, the bane of my existence. I just can’t finish.
Falling through deck 10 feet. Time for a new one!
You need a home to have a home project, right?
Fireplace mantle, required prototype. Best project for Dawn & Dad!
screened porch, beautiful, add eleven cats’ claws, not so much.
Agonised for months over new flooring. Choose hemp. Love it!
Awesome lighting
hanging can cause divorce
hire an electrician – done!
New bathroom countertop too long? Learn to use beltsander quick!
Built entire new house with my hands and hubby’s hands!
this mama not allowed to help.
no ma’am.
not ever.
hardwood floors under carpet + glue – glue = georgous
SAWED vanity to fit around pipes before measuring the depth
Renovated house top to bottom. Love! Then moved. Stoo. Pid.
I don’t have anything to add in only ten words.
We got soaked by the contractor more than pool water.
Over the stove microwave- needed to saw stuff- who knew?
Rennovations started. Baby arrived early. Rennovations stopped. Unfinished projects everywhere.
Decide to change light switch, don’t turn off power, ZAP!
Think I’m going to start wonderful projects, nope, never do.
Replaced dishwasher, cabinets collapsed, wall rotted behind. Bye tax refund!
Husband did all the research – I gave the final approval!
(kitchen renovation)
I have a domestic disability which precludes any home projects.
Spent today shopping for area rug. Still have bare floor. **Sigh.**
Recent kitchen redo. Scoured mags & books. Eternally happy. Beautiful.
Tile countertop in guest bath. Ooops, no idea about tiling.
Kitchen bearing wall you say? See our lovely second mortgage.
must sell and leave all disasters behind and START ANEW!
Will never buy dark blue carpeting again; shows LOTSA crumbs!
Replaced tiny dishwasher drawer with full-sized model. Ahhhh, relief.
Filled travertine made bathroom the nicest room in the house.
(By FAR.)
Will wait until someone falls through before getting steps fixed.
Old laundry replaced by fabulous enormous deck. One day. Waiting…
PS Love your fireplace Bossy!!!!
Project: Paint room in a weekend. You can do it!
http://designsbymeg.com/blog/2009/02/project-paint-a-room/
curtain rod – too high – take down -now too low-spackling!
Wait, what?
Still staring in envy at that red wine.
(HEY! It’s ten words!)
On-demand water heater. Lukewarm showers, hot, deep bath. Meh.
Viking appliances. Supposed to be the best. Actually suck ass.
Microwave cabinet on wall. CRASH. Stove and microwave NEEDED! OOPS.
Pity for 90 y/o bricklayer. Agree to hire. Stairs? Crooked.
Black kitchen cabinets ,, try explaining you aren’t a wican nut.
Donated all belongings to Charity. Moved into self renovated RV.
organizing during vacation? DONE!!!
No story here… just gobsmacked at what great style you guys have. I love a fireplace. It’s one of life’s basic needs in my opinion. For now, I have a dvd fireplace, crackling sounds and all.
New wood blinds cut for nursery. Too short for window.
Garden design – perfect native plants – trusted my designer – how rare!
My ex fiance installed a dishwasher, then called me Lucky.
My hot hubby put in hot faux wood-burning stove. Yay.
Follow up — You totally inspired me to post. Go Bossy!!
Started with 1100 square feet and turned it into 2600.
faux painted large basement – husband yelling, me crying- beautiful though
Bought a fixer. Lost job. Living with lots of ugly.
Must say what I gotta say in however many words needed. Your fireplace is so totally cool and truly lovely, words aren’t enough. However, unless you are very warm natured I think you need a pair of socks with those slippers to keep your ankles warm. There…the mother in my just jumped right out…just like that. Sorry…couldn’t help it.
success: a wall transforming a room to please a “tweenager.”
MILES of brick patio around pool, beautiful, constant pain in thumbs
One week laundry room project…now entering into week 7.
We built our log cabin ourselves. Our marriage survived it.
A coat of paint fixes anything that can’t be replaced.
To sell your house, hide unfinished electric boxes behind antiques.
Last year: new Ikea kitchen, done ourselves. Glass tile backsplash!
Programmable thermostat; now waking to warm house and saving money!
A wax ring? Under the toilet? That’s just crazy talk.
Perfectionist with to-do list where to start I give up.
Admiring the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you offer. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.