Mantle/Fireplace Reveal. . .

Here is what my fireplace and mantle looked like before:

And, here is the gorgeous after:

This was exactly how I pictured it would turn out.

Funny thing, though, now I need new blinds,

need to rip out the carpet and I would

love to put in wide plank rustic wood

flooring, I need a couple of topiaries on either

side of the mantle, plus some more

awesome accessories to go along with

the new look, a couple of accent pillows  

made from vintage fabric to go in

my new-to-me chairs, and I 

could go on, and on, and on. . . but I won't

because you get me.

Don't forget my contest.  When I get 100+ followers,

I am giving away some amazing paint from

the Caromal Colours textured basecoat collection. 

Solid Oak Aged Mantle

I took my 2 daughters with me to some thrift stores in the next county over last week.  I was, of course, searching for treasures.  We went to our local Habitat for Humanity Restore and found something awesome!

What could this be?  This item contains various mouldings, including dental.

It is a mantle!  Not just any old mantle, though!  This baby is 7-1/2 feet long!  Holy crap!

When I bought it, it was painted a glossy white paint (multiple coats).  I knew exactly what I wanted to do to it, and that included painting it.

Normally when you re-paint a piece of furniture, you have to sand, strip or prime to get the old finish off before you can even think about starting to paint.  Not the case when you use Caromal Colours textured basecoat.  Look, it even comes in gallons now!  This paint bonds to nearly anything, A-N-D you get right to the fun stuff without delay!

I painted this Peppercorn directly over the old white finish.

The picture below is after I had sanded.  The right side of the mantle is pre-wax, the left after applying Liberon Walnut wax.  The difference is unmistakable!  Pre-wax has a very chalky look to it, and after wax really sets the color and makes the Peppercorn pop!  Applying the wax really is simple, brush on, buff out with a clean cloth.  Not only does the wax seal the paint, it makes the color outstanding!

Just look at the finished product in the pictures below:

I never knew I loved dental moulding so much, but I DO!

I needed to take a picture of the mantle somewhere that you could grasp how truly large it is (and Jaggyr just couldn't help himself. . . he wanted to be in the pic)!  This thing is huge and heavy!  Did I mention it is Solid Oak?!  Well, it is!

Afterthought:  See the pumpkin growing on the right side of the sidewalk?  That was where a pumpkin sat after Halloween last year and the seeds took root.

This beautiful piece will be with me at the Bella's Vintage Flea Market this Saturday at Wheeler Farm from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Please come and join us!  I would love to see you there!

(Don't forget to enter to win some of this amazing paint!  Check out my giveaway post for rules on entering).

Makeover and a Giveaway!

In honor of my adorable blog makeover, I would like to have a giveaway!  Yaa for giveaways!  Who doesn't love free stuff? 


I wanted my blog to have a vintage feel and I think we achieved that!  I love chippy paint!  Can you tell?  I love perfectly imperfect things.  Cracks just add to the character.  Like I said before, vintage stuff has a story to tell, and I love to hear it.  My blog really represents me now and I love that!

Now for the giveaway part of this post:

You know I talk about the paint we use from Caromal Colours, right?  Well, we are giving away a Barnworn Distressed Kit from Caromal Colours to the lucky winner of this contest!  That is a $104 value! That includes 2 quarts of textured basecoat (your choice of colors), chipping creme (the key I tell ya!), a jar of toner,  and a chip brush.  You are going to love this paint as much as I love comfy socks!  There is no stripping, sanding, or priming before painting!  *Heavens open up and sing!*


Photo courtesy of www.Caromalcolours.com



Rules for the Contest:

1.  You must be or become a follower, AND leave a comment saying so (even if you already follow, you need to leave a comment at the end of this post).

2.  Like "A Little Chic" on Facebook, AND leave a comment saying so.

3.  Post about this giveaway on your own blog, AND leave a comment saying so.  I now have a button you can grab.

4.  If you get a friend to enter the contest, you will receive another entry, but you must have your friend leave a comment saying who referred them.

CONTEST ENDS when I reach 100 followers!

Shelf Me Giveaway!

Hubby is back and that means he is a slave driver pieces are getting done.  We decided to do another giveaway because we love you long time!

I should have cleared away the clutter,

Jaggyr can stay though! HOLLA!

The lighting is so bad in my house, at night, so

Kazen (future NBA player CHAMPION!) had

 to hold it up toward the light.

We used Cobblestone textured basecoat over the

top of Peppercorn.

And a side view.

Here's how to Enter:

1. First, become a follower, AND leave a comment stating that you are a follower. (If you are currently a follower, please leave a comment or you will not be entered).
2. Blog about my giveaway on your own blog and leave a comment stating so (please leave your blog address).
3. Post about my giveaway on your favorite social network (i.e., Facebook, Twitter).

I will ship to anywhere so anyone can enter!  Good luck!

Hahaha!  I forgot to put when this contest ends!  It will end Sunday, April 3, 2011, at 11:59 p.m., Mountain time.

Giveaway!

We here at A Little Chic are going to do a giveaway!  What are we going to give away, you ask? 

Why this beauty of a message board!  First of all you need to become a follower of our blog and leave a comment stating so.  Next post this giveaway on your blog and leave another comment (with a link to your post).  And finally Like our page on Facebook, then leave yet another comment.  This contest will close Sunday, February 27th, 2011, at midnight (Mountain Time).