When we moved into our new home 5+ years ago, there were things we wanted to redo immediately and things that would get redone in time. One of the areas that we felt was on the back burner was the fireplace.

Not horrible, but I knew it could be better. I really don't prefer a corner fireplace {on a porch I don't mind so much}, but that could not be changed. Every client I have worked with that is building a new home, has requested a stone fireplace. It's rustic and lends itself perfectly to our mountains. 

I also don't mind faux stone. I really like the kind that I used around my kitchen island. But, like in most everything, there is good faux and there is bad faux. What I had around my fireplace was a faux stone facade. It was literally a bunch of thin peachy colored faux stone that was glued too far apart onto a piece of plywood. The plywood was screwed onto the drywall. From the sides, you could easily see the edge of the plywood. Yuck.

I had enough stone left over from my island project that I could remove my facade and redo the fireplace with it. I really have always thought that this is what I would do, when I could find the time to do it. But, to be honest, after overseeing the intall of so many stone fireplaces throughout the years, recently, I decided that I really wanted something different in my house.

I loved the patinaed metal surround that we did in the Clubhouse at Bear Lake Reserve. But, I am a bit too traditional in my decorating to make this feel right in my own home.  

Then I saw this picture of a salvaged wood wall that was featured at Apartment Therapy many years back. Bingo!!

I went to the source-lumberjocks to gain info on how he created this. He explained that he attached his wood to the wall with a hot glue gun {??!!} I knew that I would have to tweak this application to use around a hot fireplace. But we were up for the task!

Tomorrow I will show you our finished fireplace!

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I have been invited over to The Painted Home today to show you the innards of my Beach Bag. If you would like a closer look, please jump over and visit.

In the rare event that you guys missed the adorbs Bailey McCarthy's new digs on D*S yesterday, I want to revisit because now Bailey's showing us the Before's over on her blog, Peppermint Bliss. Which, let's face it, seeing a home before the magic design dust was sprinkled on it, just makes it way more magical.  

Here's her foyer BEFORE:

And AFTER:

Dark and traditional Dining Room BEFORE:

Bright and Happy AFTER: 

Covered in Bookshelves

Goodbye Bookshelves, Hello glowing pink prettiness:

{Kudos Mr. McCarthy for being real secure!}

Another BEFORE looksie:

Living Room BEFORE: 

These chairs!!! Perfecto in this Texas home!

Baileys giving us all the breakdowns this week so check her out as she shows us her huge beautiful casa!

{all images via Peppermint Bliss photography Paige Newton } 

I can't think of a better way to start a new week then with an amazing Before and After by the phenomenal Phoebe Howard.

Before:

The room looks large, formal and a little intimidating with it's intricate moldings, wall to wall tile and dark heavy chandelier.

After: 

But take a look at how inviting and comfortable it is now! The walls were coated in creamy white and the floors were covered in a custom rug The clients wanted orange to be used throughout the home and it was paired here with many different patterns in periwinkle.  I love that the shape of the windows were left as a feature and not covered with curtains.  

Before:

After:

{images via Phoebe Howard} 

You guys are in for a treat! Courtney took on the challenge of converting a laundry room into a new bedroom for her tweenager niece. She calls the transformation 'Boutique Chic'. I call it beautiful.This was a true labor of love and I am pretty sure she is up for *Best Aunt Award*. Check out the amazing Before and Afters: 

Stunning, right??!!

It certainly doesn't look like a room full of deals and steals and DIY's, but, that's exactly what it is! Check out Little Glass Box for all the details and more pictures.