Building the Fireplace!

Well, I am so very excited that we have officially started this project!  We had a gas line stubbed when we originally built our house with the intentions of one day adding a fireplace in the corner.  About a year ago we got rid of our armoire that used to sit in the corner where the wannabe fireplace was going to go.  DVD junk sat on 2 trunks for awhile :)

Determined to get this project going I researched a lot and finally went and bought a firebox last fall... The goal was to have it done by Christmas so I could hang my stockings.... Well that did not happen.  My husband had to have an unexpected surgery and so the whole thing was just put on hold.  Here are some pix so you can see the space.

This is how it's been for several months

All of the wiring goes thru the wall in the corner.  The hope is to build the fireplace with a hidden compartment to house the DVD player, etc.

Another View of the living room

the sectional stays of course... would love for the recliner to go...

more views

living room opens to breakfast area/bar/kitchen

Ready to remove this plastic wrap!

Yes, very ready!

TV wall... this will stay just as is

from the back of the room

TADA!!!  We have begun!

I will blog as we go along!  We are hoping to finish it within a few weeks....  I have been looking at fireplaces that I like for months!  I rarely saw a corner fireplace that I liked!  I am still undecided on whether I want the woodwork stained or painted white...  Ya'll share your ideas with me!!!  The front door is a gorgeous stain.  I am thinking to do a neutral mosaic tile around the fireplace and I am not set on a hearth or any tile on the floor.. I think I like it flush and simple.

As we began the project we are realizing we will "need" a new surround sound system.  Right now our has a big subwoofer that used to sit concealed in the corner.  However we can't have it sit there and then we questioned where we would put the speaker that mounts to the ceiling... I think we are going to upgrade to a wireless surround system to simplify everything and keep the clean look that we like.

Another thing to consider is the paint.  We built 6 years ago and are smack out of the paint that goes thru most of my house.  (the tan color).  I really don't want any other color, so I am hoping we can get it matched pretty close... If I have to end up repainting the living room walls... well so be it.  I just hope to get the color to match close enough so I don't have to repaint the kitchen & breakfast areas too... The walls all flow together so there really is no good stopping point to switch colors.