Chalkboard Brick Fireplace Makeover

The bad news is I busted my bootie last week to prep the basement for a game day party that was suppose to happen at our house this past Saturday, but........our beloved Cats lost on Friday night.  So there was no Saturday game.  I'm still in shock.  Add to that yesterday was Selection Sunday, and we didn't get into the NCAA tournament.  Instead of March Madness it's going to be March Sadness.  But enough college basketball talk..........

the good news is I finally completed a project that I started over a year ago!



Unfortunately, I never got a good before picture of the fireplace in our basement.  We love having a fireplace down there.  It makes movie watching super cozy, especially during the winter.  We weren't, however, very thrilled with the hunter green marble surround.  It wasn't a good marble - you'll just have to trust me on that - and it made the fireplace look really dated.  I didn't want to invest the money in a new surround  - at least I'm not ready to do that right now - while I still have whole bathrooms that need to be renovated.  So I needed an inexpensive update.  What's better on the ol' budget than paint?!

Armed with inspiration from The Nester,

                                                              Source: thenester.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

I "re-bricked" this fireplace.

It was pretty simple.  I just primed it with the stinky stuff - Zinnser, and then painted 2 coats of chalkboard paint.  Then I used a chalk pen to draw some bricks.  I'm going for a whimsical-meets-chic look (whatever that means) in the basement, so this chalkboard brick fireplace fits right in.  I didn't stop at the surround; I bricked the whole darn thing!

I have no idea why it took me so long to get this project done.  It wasn't hard or time consuming.  I guess when it comes right down to it - I'm a major procrastinator.  I guess I need to plan more parties.  Who knows what else will finally get done around here?! 

Nate Berkus made this red mirror just for me, so I bought 4 as a thank you.  They really make a statement hung as a group over the mantel.  The middle section was just begging me to scrawl a little something - so "hello" for now - but who knows what it'll say later?

 - Blue ceramic vases - West Elm - no longer available - sorry about your luck - seriously, I'm sorry 

 - White horse head  - Target - last fall   - not available  - again sorry 

 - Black and white vase   - Missoni for Target  - everyone has it - because it's awesome 

 - Little blue vase peeking out of the black and white vase - thrifted 

 - Succulent - faker than ......well, you know what  - from Hobby Lobby 

 - Books - Reader's Digest - ReStore

 - Floral painting - vintage paint by number found on Etsy

 - Wood and gold chevron box  - Nate Berkus for Target  - you need one - it's awesome - it hides the gas key for the fireplace - form and function - best of both worlds! 

So if a sad moment has a silver lining - this it it.  The party never happened  -but my basement looks a bagillion times better than it did a week ago.  And the Cats will be back next year -  make no mistake about that!

And now to ponder the truly important things in life, I wonder when I'll tire of chalkboard paint?

Chalkboard paint in the Entry Foyer

Chalkboard Globe

Giant Chalkboard Calendar

Chalkboard Backs on Bookcases

Chalkboard Menu Board

Chalkboard Panels in the Dining Room 

Apparently it's an obsession.  I don't see it coming to an end anytime soon.  I really love using it in unexpected ways.  Are you a fan of chalkboard paint? 

*Sharing with Home Stories A to Z, Savvy Southern Style