I promised a picture of the new fireplace, and here it is!
Obviously it’s not quite finished yet (what project here ever is?!) but we’ve restored the old stone pillars, plonked a gorgeous oak beam on top (locally sourced, well-aged and only 50 euros!) and Ian has been my hero once again and rebuilt the top bit with bricks we reclaimed from the fireplace that was knocked down. It’s not as deep as the old fireplace, and we’ve raised the height of the mantelpiece so that we can fit in our ‘new’ woodburning stove (which has made a dramatic difference to the temperature around here!). It may not be a beautiful stove to many people, but it really chucks out the heat and the way it’s built should last another 100 years!
The back of the fireplace behind the stove and the new brickwork has had two coats of lime paint (see recipe). There is talk of it one day having a top-coat of lime-green, but for now I like the soft-white of uncoloured lime paint so I’m holding fire on that decision.
The yellow wall just visible on the right will eventually get knocked down, and I still haven’t polished up the hearth stones, but we’re about 90% of the way there!
before…
and after…
Steve said
I think it is a beautiful burner, we run two here and they are fantastically efficient, we are hoping to install another small pot belly as part of a sauna before winter sets in. It is amazing how much enjoyment woodburners bring, visitors almost always comment, especially those who live with the supposed luxury of central heating and double glazing.
Cee said
It’s fantastic – I love it! Jealous too of your sparkling pile of pickles in the last post – they look yummy!
TheCrone said
Oh that is just too gorgeous!
Just discovered your blog and love it!
Jon in France said
Very nice – does it come with a hot plate?
Scarlet said
Welcome, Crone!
Hi Jon, sadly no actual hotplate as it is very much an industrial heater. There is a space behind the lid where you can keep a tea-pot warm, but it wouldn’t boil the water in the first place!
reluctantmemsahib said
if i needed a fireplace, i’d want one like that. it’s lovely.
redforkhippie said
The stove is gorgeous. Ours isn’t nearly as pretty, but it’s got two flat surfaces on top, at different levels, which makes it handy for cooking. We can’t do a whole lot, but it’s fine for soups, and it makes absolutely lovely omelets — the heat is so gentle and even, it’s almost impossible to burn anything. I’ve also gotten terribly spoiled to Red-Zinger-on-demand, courtesy of the teakettle that lives on the stove all winter.
I’m dying to knock out a wall, move a gas line, and turn our tiny kitchen and unnecessary living room into a big, well-appointed farm kitchen with a Waterford cookstove as its centerpiece, but of course Ron isn’t having any of it. *Sigh*