a SmOkIn HoT facelift...

 I'm not a brass lover. 

So when I look at something like this, I'm not sure what to do with it.  My parents lived in this house most of my life and my mom always wanted to give the mantel a facelift, too.  It started out a dark, drab brown...she gave it a coat of white paint...she hung pretty plates across it...and I'm sure it had all manner of looks over the years that I can't even remember.  But the bones of it stayed the same. 

I think it's time for a little more change...

I'm just not sure where to start.  It has start with eliminating the brass accents SOMEhow. 

I've thought about a coat of paint...but the heat could cause it to bubble.

And I've thought about ripping the doors off and eliminating them altogether...but that multiplies the chances of having critters flying in.

So...at this point I have no real plans...except to admit that something has to be done.

I found some other people with similar dilemas who solved them like this:

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/10/some-like-it-hot/#more-2291

and this:

http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/de-brassifying-fireplace-surround.html

and this:

http://applestonecottage.blogspot.com/2009/07/fireplace-and-door-facelift-met-monday.html

I'm loving on this:

it's the cutest resin applique that I think would look great in that big blank space on the mantel.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Fall is coming and because I've never had a fireplace in my own home before, I have a feeling this one will be burning alot this year...so this project is on the front burner...

stay tuned...