Can you believe it?
I painted the fireplace surround after years of practically begging.
Well, NO, that’s not true, I never begged, but I whined a time or two.
This is our Valentine mantel as of last week.
You see, I think the new MAN chair was the deal breaker for Mike.
As you can see the during process is never fun.
Mike is always the taper because, I am not very good at that.
Mike is totally LOVING his new chair.
He had it custom made through club furniture.com
Now you can really see the detail of the Shabby chic mirror that recently spoke to Mike.
I know, he’s an odd one.
That’s why I love him soooo.
This is our Valentine mantel, as of this week:)
I am excited to do Spring now!
I truly enjoyed working with the La Craie paint.
No dripping
No before prep work as far as sanding and priming goes.
Just open, stir and watch the magic happen.
It dries fast too, so I had this done in a half a day.
The color is called Wrought iron and it is a TRUE black.
After the paint dried, I distressed the surrounding area with a grit 80.
I then used a wax to have that finished smooth look.
It turned out exactly the way I had envisioned in my head.
That never happens so, I was pretty smitten.
Now all the detail really stands out.
Debbie your home is gorgeous! Your mantle turned out beautiful too! I will have to try that paint.This is the first I have heard about it.Thank you for sharing!
xx
Anne
It looks great. He did great on the chair too.
xoxo
Cheri
I absolutely love it!!! I think it’s the perfect color in there and blends nicely with your furniture. Your mantel looks more like an old piece now (which I love) and makes a bigger statement in the room too. I’ve never heard of that paint before. Looks like there’s another competitor out there for ASCP now!!
Debbie,
Ohhh Laa Laaa how beautiful did that fireplace come out!!!!! Wow Wow Wowsie!!!! So beautiful and really is a beautiful focal point in your room. I just love to see pictures of your beautiful home. Gorgeous!!! When do you sleep girl!!!!!
Kris
No, I can’t believe you painted that fireplace surround … BUT … it looks really good and matches the room decor so much better. Good job and great selection of color. Love your vintage mirror too. I have a piece of oak furniture I want to paint, but have not talked myself into it yet.
Blessings,
Audrey Z.
Timeless Treasures
It looks awesome, Debbie! Such beautiful detailing that stands out like you said. And, your Valentine mantel is amazing, too … gorgeous chandelier! Mike’s new chair is so handsome!
Love it, Debbie!
That looks fantastic Deb! What a difference so much richer looking too! I don’t tape either very well so Stush does it for me:)
Oh wow Debbie……..Your mantel looks so fantastic. I love Mike’s new chair!.
You guys make a great team
my heart was poudting it was so exciting to see omgosh it all looks awsome who would have thought mike would let you do all this enjoy
Debbie and Mike,
The mantel just looks so good. Like it was meant to be. Enjoy 
))
You guys really did a fabulous job. The Wrought Iron was the perfect choice!! The balance in the room with the gorgeous new chair is wonderful. I love how the Wrought Iron brings out the hearth tiles, they look so rich now. The chandy above really shows up so well against the new shabby mirror (which I love BTW). Mike can shop for me any day
PS-I don’t like to tape either. hehe
What a difference….it looks amazing. Great job!
That looks fantastic Debbie. The paint makes the pretty details in the wood show up more. I love the fire extinguisher over there on the wall too. Every man should have a chair like that. We do!
I LOVE LOVE IT Debbie!! Perfect color choice and I love how the distressing made all the pretty detailing pop!
Fantastic job girlfriend!
Wow, that looks great, Debbie! I love the new color. I like your hubby’s new chair, too. I’d even go for something like that! : )
The Mantel looks amazing. I loved the wood, but I do think the black is stunning. Hugs, Marty
What the HECK dim I still doing all of this sanding when the LaCraie turns out that fabulous! The mantel is beautiful! Great job!
Debbie. your mantel looks great! I love the color you chose and the way you distressed the details! Your room looks stunning!
Wow, Debbie! It looks absolutely amazing! The color, the distressing, just perfection! It just pops now!
I love it!!! Of course, I always love black.
You did a great job with it. Mike’s chair looks like one to fall asleep in…glad he’s happy.
xo
Pat
The mantel looks wonderful painted Debbie! I never heard of that brand of chalk paint. I am going to check it out!
Love, love, love the new look of your mantel! It really does stand out as a wow factor and still blends in so well with your decor. You have a winner in painting it that color!
Wow, this turned out great, Debbie…love the black, and the distressed look with the old finish showing through is PERFECT! Love the new chair, too!
Debbie your color choice is perfect, I love how this turned out!!
xo, Tanya
WOW! I liked it “before” but I LOVE it now!!! What an amazing difference. The detail is gorgeous and it’s FAB with the marble…and your furniture..and, well, everything! Congrat’s girlfriend..it’s beautiful! xo
That looks so good. Love the black that is a great chair, too. Woot, woot!
Wow! I love your new fireplace surround. The paint sounds so easy to use….I’m amazed that there was no prep other than taping and stirring…that’s *awesome*
Looking forward to copy cat challenge!
xo,
RJ
I loved you did a nice job oh my God now look wonderful all decaration, your home is so
beautiful!
Blessing
XO
Isora
Debbie, this is a stunning transformation! I’ve been looking for a true black. Thank you for trying this out for me
The whole room has really become even more beautiful now! Love the chair too!
I love it! The wrought iron is beautiful! It really makes as statement in the room. I love your Valentine decor and that chair!
Debbie
It looks great, Debbie! The Wrought Iron is a perfect color. I know you are so enjoying this change to your space. Awesome!
Oh I love it! You did such a beautiful job. It really does compliment the new chair too. I have never heard of this paint, but I sure do love the sound of that color black., wrought iron. Perfect!
)
Your mantel turned out beautiful. I love all of the detail that was lost before the new paint. Really stunning.
Wow! That looks great! I am needing to paint a stained armoire in my bedroom black so your fireplace surround gives me an good visual of what it might look like when it is finished. Thanks for sharing the paint product with us… I have not heard of it before.
It’s wonderful paint!
Oh, Debbie! What a good looking job you did and I love the black!!! I have several pieces that I want to chalk paint for my new craft room to be so I will be referencing this article.
Wow Debbie – first of all it’s absolutely gorgeous painted!!!
Second of all I seem to remember an old old post where you said you were leaving it alone, that ” not everything HAS to be painted ” LOL
Was that you?
I think it’s an AMAZING transformation!!!
XOX
That was the entertainment center Suzy, and yes that is true…as you can see I don’t have everything painted:) But I love the mantel now.
Love how it turned out. As usual, great vision on your part!!! I guess a ” Man Chair” is what I need here at my home — it sure would be nice and then I also would not have to whine again!!
Missy M
Your fireplace mantel looks so great Debbie! I love how you’ve decorated it, as well.
what a big statement the black mantel makes! Looks old and grown up! Love the final look
It looks really good. I think it looks more like your taste now!
Oh, Debbie….it’s the perfect transformation! I just love the black with rustic look. It’s fabulous, baby!
Fabulous transformation. I love hwo the distressing brings out all the carved details.
Hi Debbie…I’m new to your blog and I am truly enjoying it. When I saw the before picture I thought Oh No its a beautiful piece as it is…. boy, did you surprise me! It is absolutely beautiful and I love all the detail! I just discovered a dealer for LaCraie near me and have not had a chance to get there yet…I think I’m going to come up with a reason today after your project! What brand of wax did you use? I have some AS wax and chalk paints, but I’m always open to something new!
Thank you,
June G.
Hi June, thank you kindly. I had some AS wax on hand and that is exactly what I used, the clear wax finished it off. Good luck to you.
Debbie: That really turned out great and WOW is that a beautiful chair..Happy Monday..Judy
Debbie…looks fantastic…you did a great job!….I have to try that paint!
Wow you have turned into the master crafter!! It is perfect Debbie, and I love the man chair!
Carol
Thank you everyone for stopping by and leaving such nice comments. I have been sharing them all with my husband. He loves his chair and that’s all her cares about:)
Your mantle looks gorgeous painted! It looks like it was always supposed to be this way. I love that man chair. Oh my husband would be so happy with this. The budget on furniture went elsewhere and everywhere already for the year!
I would have been so nervous about painting that lovely fireplace, but it looks wonderful, Debbie. You did a great job! My hubby has a similar black leather recliner, and I know I need to add a little black to another area to tie it in with the rest of the room.
Nothing like a new chair and shabby mirror to inspire painting your fireplace. Love the new look! I thought of painting my maple mantel black but decided on a cream color. I love black furniture and the club chair is gorgeous. I’ll have to check out the place where you ordered it. I know my hubby would love that chair! Your man is a great guy!
Love It..
How did I miss this mantel redo??? I love it. I also love the chair. And I also have Brawn do the taping. And now I also want to paint my mantel. Hmmm……
Bliss