Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points

<br/><img alt="3 modern fireplaces create stunning focal points thumb Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " height="326" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/3-modern-fireplaces-create-stunning-focal-points-thumb.jpg" style="" title="Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " width="630" /> The French organization, Focus, creates stunning fireplaces that will be the clear focal point of any area they grace. Since European standards limit the use of open fireplaces, a number of their models are constructed to use gas or bioethonal fuels (with the choice of reverting to wood burning if desired). There’;s one thing to be said for a ready provide of fuel for your fire that burns clean and does not leave bits of wood and bark around the property. But, given that there’;s also one thing about the smell of a wood burning fire, and the crackle of a fire, Concentrate has continued to make wood burning models. The Magmafocus (above) has such spherical, flowing lines and becomes the instant concentrate of the room you spot it in. With a stylish flat black finish, it emits a warmth that radiates as a lot from the style as the fuel source. The model shown is outfitted for gas or bio fuel, but is also available as a wood-burning fireplace.<br/><img alt="3 modern fireplaces create stunning focal points thumb Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " height="419" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/3-modern-fireplaces-create-stunning-focal-points-thumb_.jpg" style="" title="Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " width="630" /> The Slimfocus model (above) can also be outfitted to your decision – gas or bio fuel, or traditional wood burning. And it can be floated from the ceiling (as shown) or positioned directly on the floor. We enjoy the hanging version above – it permits the floor to keep it is clear lines and offers the room and ethereal feel somehow. And does not it appear great in use? This model can also be attached to the wall or placed against the corner of a space. But the capacity to have it floating free of charge in the space, suspended from the ceiling is what we feel gives it such attention. You do not expect to see a fire suspended in the middle of the living space. And at that height, the heat source is far more powerful. But this is such a stunning addition to any room, the heat may possibly virtually be a secondary (but welcome) portion of the attraction.<br/><img alt="3 modern fireplaces create stunning focal points thumb Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " height="711" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/3-modern-fireplaces-create-stunning-focal-points-thumb__.jpg" style="" title="Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " width="630" /> The Grappas, above, is a closed and leak proof wood burning fireplace that is winning awards in Europe. Developed for eco-friendly properties, it is a clear example of the beauty that can be produced when design meets function. Note the wood storage box and again, the clean easy lines that add up to a lot a lot more than the sum of its parts. Company founder, Dominique Imbert, says he has had an adventurous life, between “the Sorbornne in Paris and the subway in Manhattan”. When he developed a sculpture studio for himself in the South of France and necessary heat, he built a steel fireplace. Others saw it, wanted it, and his fireplace business, Concentrate, was born. When anything of such style and beauty is designed, the market will respond favorably. And we’;re glad they did.<br/><img alt="3 modern fireplaces create stunning focal points thumb Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " height="509" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/3-modern-fireplaces-create-stunning-focal-points-thumb___.jpg" style="" title="Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " width="630" /> A lot more info: Concentrate<br/><img alt="picture 9356 Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " height="1" src="http://www.decoradvisor.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/picture-9356.jpg" title="Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points others " width="1" />

Three Modern Day Fireplaces Develop Spectacular Focal Points

The French organization, Focus, creates stunning fireplaces that will be the clear focal point of any area they grace. Since European stand...

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DIY Autumnal Garland

The year after I moved away for college, my parents moved about 2.5 hours north of Phoenix. The small town that they moved to was the place we had visited every summer and Thanksgiving for most of my childhood. It was where my dad grew up and where my grandparents had always lived. It's a <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/02/rock-walks-and-remembering-grandpa.html" target="_blank">special little place</a> in the high desert, and the drive up there from the Valley takes you through all sorts of beautiful Arizona scenery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9399.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9399.jpg" /></div><br />Michael had to work over Veteran's Day weekend (boo) so I decided to take the girls up to visit my parents. The weather was perfect and the sky was that perfect color of winter blue. I've always loved the desert, but I think I can appreciate its unique beauty even more after living on the east coast for a decade. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9423.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9423.jpg" /></div><br />On the way back home, the girls and I decided to collect samples of some of the plants and foliage along the road back down to Phoenix. We found everything from sage to juniper (with pretty little blue berries!) to gorgeous maple leaves in every shade from red to yellow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9410.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9410.jpg" /></div><br />I was surprised that we were able to collect something from every color in the rainbow in less than two hours of driving. How could I resist making an ombre garland with all those pretty colors?<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0878.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0878.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo wDSC_1044.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/wDSC_1044.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the easy how-to:<a name="more"></a></div><br />I've made a few wreaths with evergreen boughs before and the concept is very similar for a garland. It couldn't be simpler or much less expensive (it was actually free for me since I had the floral supplies on hand already).<br /><br />To make a similar garland, you'll need a good collection of leaves and plants. Try to find plants that are either already pretty dry or that will dry out well (flowers usually do not dry that well). It can get a little messy, so try organizing everything on a canvas drop cloth to make clean up easy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo nDSC_0745.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/nDSC_0745.jpg" /></div><br />Here are a few things I used:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0775.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0775.jpg" /></div><center></center><br />You'll for sure want two thicknesses of floral wire, wire clippers and floral shears. The Dried Material Preservative (available at craft stores) is optional, but is actually pretty helpful for keeping the brittle, dry plants more soft and pliable. And actually I've been giving my garland a light misting with this stuff every few days, just to give it a little more life.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9519.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9519.jpg" /></div><br />So, I would say the trickiest part here is figuring out the flow of the garland. I wanted mine to have a gradient or ombre look, so it took a little planning to get the right plants with the right color in the right area of the swag so there was a good balance to the thing. I knew I wanted the juniper berries in the middle though, and the red leaves in the corners and the white grass at the ends, so then it was just a matter of filling in the rest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9523.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9523.jpg" /></div><br />Once all your foliage is ready to go, and you have a good sense of how long your finished garland will be (mine is about 15 ft long), measure out three equal lengths of thick floral wire and then braid the wire. It doesn't have to be perfect at all - and don't stress if the wires get a little tangled. The idea is you want a thicker but still pliable surface to tie the flowers to.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo mDSC_0771.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/mDSC_0771.jpg" /></div><br />I used two of those stick-on hooks (in black, to match my fireplace) in the corners of the mantle. I looped the braided wire around the hook and sort of pinched it to help the wire stay put. If you want the finished garland to swoop down a little in the center, let the wire sag just a bit here, but not too much. The weight of the foliage will pull it down several more inches.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9538.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9538.jpg" /></div><br />Then it's time to start layering on the foliage. The most important part is to start at the bottom and layer on top of each little bundle and work your way to the center.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9528.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9528.jpg" /></div><br />To make each bundle, you just layer the foliage in your hand in a pretty way so that there are no gaps or blunt lines. And then you hold the bundle up against the braided wire and wrap it three or four times with the smaller gauge floral wire, just around the base of the bundle, mostly. For the lighter foliage, I used gold wire and for the greenery I pulled out my dark green wire.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9531.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9531.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9544.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9544.jpg" /></div><br />Once I finished layering on one half of the garland, I started at the bottom of the other side, trying to copy the layout exactly. When both halves are finished, you should be left with two mirror-image symmetrical swags. I think it would look a little funny if you don't have a center piece that is sort of bunched up and less layered looking. So I made a little end cap for the very center out of more juniper bush. I used floral tape to sort of bunch and fan out some shorter pieces, and then attached it with wire just like with the other bundles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9503.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9503.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_1013.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_1013.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, and I didn't end up needing to do so here, but if you've lost a lot of leaves in the process, you can strategically hot glue a few leaves back on to help fill things out a bit.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0997.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0997.jpg" /></div><br />Finally, you can sort of bend and tug at the wire to get it to look right and you're done! It's easy and fun and only takes an hour or two. My garland has been up for about a week and a half and I think it'll still look great for Thanksgiving next week! The only plant that's shed at all is the soft gray sagebrush in the middle, and it's not been bad at all.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0984.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0984.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0854.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0854.jpg" /></div><br />I'm already dreaming of ideas for a winter palette of all blues and greens and grays for my next garland. Maybe a double swag!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0844.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0844.jpg" /></div>

DIY Autumnal Garland

The year after I moved away for college, my parents moved about 2.5 hours north of Phoenix. The small town that they moved to was the place ...

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My Fall Mantel (and a Give Away!)

<center></center>I am SO excited to partner again with <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade<span style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.25px;">®</span></span></a> to bring you this post on how I'm bringing fall decor into my home this year with decor and scent! There is such an emotional connection to scent (all it takes me is half a whiff of Dior J'adore perfume to be transported to high school!). Where could it be more important to be making these emotional scent connections than in our homes? Introducing seasonal scents at this time of the year is such a key (and simple!) part of getting your home holiday-ready.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0984.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0984.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />About five minutes after we finished our new fireplace surround, I was itching to style it with all sorts of pretty seasonal accessories. But in the end I kept it pretty restrained on the mantel so that the autumnal garland could be th<span style="font-family: inherit;">e star (DIY tutorial coming tomorrow!). Though the votives, the small succulent plants and the <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/products/sprays/sense-and-spray-automatic-freshener-with-new-360-design" style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Glade® Sense and Spray® Automatic Freshener</a> play important supporting</span> characters. There is a little color here, but mostly I wanted the mantel to be about texture.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center><br /><img alt=" photo DSC_1028copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_1028copy.jpg" /></div><br />I put two fresheners on the mantel for symmetry. I have the <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/fragrances/outdoor/cashmere-woods" target="_blank">Cashmere Woods</a> scent in both fresheners and they are making our large, high-ceilinged living room smell <i>heavenly</i>! Now it looks and smells like fall in here (a far cry from <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/09/more-fireplace-demo-and-plans.html" target="_blank">where we were just a few short weeks ago</a>!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0851.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/xDSC_0851.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Here's a breakdown of how I styled our new mantel for fall, including a huge give away from <a href="http://www.glade.com/en" target="_blank">Glade</a><a href="http://www.glade.com/en" style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">®</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.25px;"> </span>to help your make over your own home for the holidays!<br /><a name="more"></a><br />I think one of the best styling tips I could ever give is to elevate items you want to stand out or to make look more special. On a little pedestal, even an air freshener looks beautiful and sculptural! (well, it helps if your air freshener is as beautiful as Glade's Sense and Spray!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo GladeandLGN.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/GladeandLGN.jpg" /></div><br />To make these pedestals for my fresheners, I stopped into the hardware store and found these little wooden post caps for a few dollars each.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9472.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9472.jpg" /></div><br />I quickly spray painted them with this Aubergine color from Rustoleum - the perfect unexpected fall color.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9493.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9493.jpg" /></div><br />I could have sanded the wood down a little more, but I liked the wood grain pattern and thought it would be pretty peeking through the paint. I think it looks cool and I'm glad I kept it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0920.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0920.jpg" /></div><br />The citron boxes the succulent planters are sitting on are just stationary packaging I picked up at Target (the boxes are actually really nice though - no noticeable seams on the corners)! Use what you got, right? :) The mercury glass planters are larger votive holders, also from Target.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9480.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9480.jpg" /></div><br />The orangey mercury glass votives I lined up in the center of the mantel were clearance finds at Michaels from a few weeks ago. The color on these votives is seriously phenomenal - I'm loving them and wish I could had bought more to keep on hand for parties.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0997.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0997.jpg" /></div><br />The herringbone basket we're using for spare firewood is also a recent Target purchase (from the bath section). The little black tufted stool in front of the firebox is from Homegoods and the rug I'm trying in here for now is <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-living-room-rug.html" target="_blank">the same rug</a> we had in our brownstone living room. I like how the neutral elements in the space (the rug, the floors, the fireplace and walls) all help the colorful accessories pop. This room was made for holiday decorating! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0878.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/DSC_0878.jpg" /></div><br />Now, for the fun part! Glade is kindly offering a beautiful give away package to a lucky LGN reader to help them bring a little seasonal flair into their home. Simply leave a comment on this post to enter to win a beautiful gray basket filled with a gorgeous striped throw, a deck of inspiration images and color palettes, a <a href="http://www.glade.com/en/products/sprays/sense-and-spray-automatic-freshener-with-new-360-design" style="background-color: white; color: #00256d; line-height: 22.25px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Glade® Sense and Spray® Automatic Freshener</a>, an Apple Cinnamon scent refill, and a $200 Visa gift card!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><center></center><br /><img alt=" photo GLADEGIVEAWAY-2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/GLADEGIVEAWAY-2.jpg" /></div><br />Contest ends on Tuesday, November 26 at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. Best of luck!

My Fall Mantel (and a Give Away!)

I am SO excited to partner again with Glade ®  to bring you this post on how I'm bringing fall decor into my home this year with decor a...

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Finished Fireplace!

The stone fabricators came last Friday and installed the four pieces of black Fossil Shell Limestone around our existing firebox!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9426.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9426.jpg" /></div><br />I love the way it adds some movement and texture to the fireplace.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9451.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9451.jpg" /></div><br />Here's right after it got installed, but before I gave everything a good scrub. You can see how the installers did a really great job of seaming the four separate pieces.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo fireplace.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/fireplace.jpg" /></div><br />I love how the fossil shell pattern is more concentrated in the upper right and the lower left corners. It feels balanced and not too crazy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9471.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9471.jpg" /></div><br />We installed the tv and mushroom sconces over the weekend and later today I'm going to tackle the dust on the floors (again!). I've also been doing a little decorating, which makes me feel like I can breathe again! We live in a house! With seating! Life is good. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9463.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9463.jpg" /></div><br />I will take some of the after photos today to share with you. The painters came on Saturday and did some touch ups needed on the sided of the fireplace surround, and I also wiped down the firebox and a lot of the soot marks went away. I had planned to paint it black with the special paint for firebrick, but I like the contrast of the lighter gray brick. I think I'll leave it as is for now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9454.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9454.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After photos coming right up! Back to cleaning and unpacking!</div>

Finished Fireplace!

The stone fabricators came last Friday and installed the four pieces of black Fossil Shell Limestone around our existing firebox! I love the...

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On Choosing Stone Remnants

I'm so excited - today our fireplace will be finished!! Early this morning the stone fabricator will install the limestone I chose for the fireplace surround and later in the day I'll help Jason hang the TV in the recently painted black millwork. I think we're going to install the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/04/gossip-girl-sconces.html" target="_blank">Gossip Girl sconces</a> today as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo fddDSC_0522.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/fddDSC_0522.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I found a really interesting piece of stone remnant for the surround area, for (comparatively) almost nothing!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9029.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9029.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><a name="more"></a>If you're buying stone, the general rule is you'll be buying full slabs from a slab yard. The slabs are priced by the square foot usually and most slabs are around 50 or 60 square feet. $10/sq foot is about as low as you'll find for pricing. Some of the stones that are prettiest to me are priced more than $50/sq foot, which adds up fast for a kitchen application where you'd probably need several slabs.<br /><br />Often the slab yard will only give pricing to a stone fabricator, so usually you shop for slabs by yourself, taking note of your favorites, and then have your fabricator call in for pricing later. Sometimes you can beg the slab yard salesperson and they'll give you a ballpark number without your fabricator present. Clearance pricing is usually posted on the slab.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7659.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_7659.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I went to a few different slab yards a couple weeks ago, shopping for my dream kitchen and for remnants for our fireplace surround. I found this really lovely black granite at Arizona Tile, but the slab was going to cost me about $600 and I only needed about 15% of the slab for our fireplace. What I loved the most about this piece was the texture and the variations of dark colors. I decided to keep looking and asked to see their remnants area.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7661.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_7661.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />There usually isn't much of anything in the way of remnants at a slab yard though because they don't cut stone at most yards. Sometimes they'll have a small section with broken slabs though, so it's worth checking out. Your best bet if you want an inexpensive, small remnant piece, is to call around to stone fabricators and ask them if they sell their remnants.<br /><br />I found a pretty great selection of remnants at Allpride Granite and Marble fabricators. I was immediately drawn to this black fossil shell limestone. It had a similar textural quality to the meteorus granite I was loving before.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9036.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9036.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />They sold me the half slab for $75! Such a deal. I had them cut it to size and in the morning they're going to install the pieces around the firebox. I can't wait to see how it finishes the who look of the fireplace! I'll be sure to post an update here soon, and on <a href="http://instagram.com/jennykomenda" target="_blank">Instagram</a> in real time in case you want to follow along. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9032.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9032.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><center></center><br />I'm so curious - have you been shopping for natural stone lately? What's catching your eye, and was it priced anywhere near the $50/sq ft mark I seem to keep getting quoted? :)

On Choosing Stone Remnants

I'm so excited - today our fireplace will be finished!! Early this morning the stone fabricator will install the limestone I chose for t...

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Painting the Fireplace Black

<center></center>I'm in New York this week for a really cool project and event that I'm excited to share with you all. Before I left for the airport this weekend I got the itch to paint the fireplace, just to see what it would look like in black, so I rolled on a quick coat.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8578.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_8578.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />It will need a couple coats of paint with sanding sessions in between, but so far I'm loving it!<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8577.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_8577.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I also found a remnant slab of honed black granite at a local stone yard that I think will be perfect for the fireplace surround. The stone will be cut to fit all the area on the inside of the mantle, surrounding the firebox.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7665.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7665.jpg" /></div><br />I love the texture of this stone! Isn't it pretty? It's a little bumpy, which I really like for an application like this.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_7667.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/IMG_7667.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />When I get back home I'm going to paint the walls in the living room before finishing the fireplace. I think lightening the walls with a pale gray and a coat of bright white on the beamed ceiling will make for such a pretty contrast in the space with the all-black fireplace. I'm so, so excited to get this space done and functional!<br /><br />Here are a few of my inspiration images:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 69b9bfbcccbb8dd94f91d991afca9073.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/69b9bfbcccbb8dd94f91d991afca9073.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/339318153144444578/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 1262310f22236c7d9783d2706189da75.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/1262310f22236c7d9783d2706189da75.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149252175120826551/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo d20ea2194ddbe2c6ef4d558179f94717.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/d20ea2194ddbe2c6ef4d558179f94717.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://georgianadesign.tumblr.com/post/42932259746/lucy-interior-design-minneapolis" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 0167889b3aa071bbb67ad2f47bb2369e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/0167889b3aa071bbb67ad2f47bb2369e.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://thecrossdesign.com/blog/page/2/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo housebeautiful51bd34b26b602bb2b9aa7ce800437e24.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/housebeautiful51bd34b26b602bb2b9aa7ce800437e24.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>House Beautiful</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo screen-shot-2012-01-15-at-8-07-21-pm1.png" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2012/screen-shot-2012-01-15-at-8-07-21-pm1.png" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/277393658272095879/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div>

Painting the Fireplace Black

I'm in New York this week for a really cool project and event that I'm excited to share with you all. Before I left for the airport ...

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