Kitchen Mantel Sparks Changes

Last weekend, we had some dear friends visit us, and it was a blast.  Their company was so welcomed and so needed to break our winter blues.

Although our friends had to step over buckets, and look at water damages, and weave their way through our untidy back porch, they seemed completely unfazed with all the dramas that this winter has brought our house.  And believe me, there are many – most of which cannot be addressed until spring, when the weather warms up.

After stuffing ourselves with a hearty breakfast, we were discussing our laundry list of projects, and changes I would like to make to our dining room and kitchen.  After all, it’s the pretty projects that are more fun to discuss.

Before I knew it, we were talking about painting the fireplace mantel a shade of blue.   And the more we talked about it, the more I was really into the idea.  I mean really, why not?  I’m going to end up painting the moldings in the kitchen anyway, why not jump right in on the fireplace?!

So I did.  It took me a nano-second to pick out the blue I wanted (Benjamin Moore Advance HC-152), and I was off to the races.

I cleaned the stuff off, and sanded.

Then I cleaned the mantel thoroughly with alcohol.  This is a good trick to know when you paint any woodwork.

Then I painted.  Two coats is all it took with this Advance paint.

And I love how it turned out.  Looks great, and of course the snowball effect has begun in the kitchen.  Next stop, the doors and moldings.

I’m on a roll.  Stay tuned!