Friday, July 2, 2010

Serenity

The Fourth of July week end officially kicks off summer vacations.  I work for my home town school system, so my vacation lasts ten weeks.  Vacations also bring projects, and I'm determined to finish mine before I head to any celebratory weekend cookout.

This past week I tackled my fireplace makeover.   Three months ago I watched a fateful HGTV episode.  Their expert designer told me I had to paint my "outdated" brass fire place enclosure black.  (They actually chuckled at their client's brass fixture.)  They continued to explain how to strip my painted brick of its outdated color and replace it with new, fresh stone tile and matching grout.  We used a glass tile instead.  But, they weren't done.   No, my update wouldn't be complete without some kind of mantle.  This addition proved difficult because our fireplace is rather small.  But, my husband and I persevered.  This morning, I put the final fixes on the mantle, touch up paint and caulking.  Now, as they say on HGTV, it's time for the staging.

To the mantle we added some votive lighting, a beach knick-knack, and of course, I added a "Willow Tree" collectible.  Because the fireplace is a relaxing focal point of the room, I added the "Serenity" angel.

What projects will you do this summer?  Will your project add serenity to your life space?  Are your projects bringing "Happy Moments" into your life?  Please leave your comments...