Sunday, May 7, 2017

Mortar and Brick and Stone

As the post title suggests I've been working with a few of the messier things this weekend.  I'd added some poly finish to my fireplace bricks and also to the woodwork during the week and it was about time to bite the bullet and add the grout.

Even without paint added to it the grout came out very light against the brick.



I honestly could barely tell the difference between the mortar I used for the brick and the grout for the tiles.  But I was planning on aging the brick so I left it as it was and continued on.

A sponge brush, black paint and grey chalk paint diluted with water helped to age the brick and the back of the chimney.  And I put my insert for glowing coals in to verify I'd actually gotten the depth right.  Yay it fits!




A bit better I think.

Had to let all that dry and so I decided I would get started on my exterior stone wainscoting.  Not too bad looking.  It'll darken up some once I get the finish on it.



I like how it looks but wow, my brain was bending in twisty shapes trying to make it all fit without looking bad.

I did a little more gardening on Saturday morning, but that wasn't too labor intensive.  And some house cleaning, again, thankfully not too labor intensive.

But this was the extent of my mini-ing for the weekend. 

How'd all of you do?

20 comments:

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    1. Thanks! My first scratch built fireplace that wasn't all cardboard so I'm pleased it's looking decent.

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  2. Coming along nicely and with these vibrant colors it is certainly an eye catcher in your lounge! Well done.

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    1. Thank you! The tiles are pretty much the inspiration for the entire house.

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  3. Although I know that "stone work" is labor intensive, your bricks and stone wainscoting look GREAT Shelia! Pat yourself on the back! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. My first time with this stone. I like it but I'm also nervous with it. So far so good though. Thanks!

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  4. I love the fireplace, looks very real. Well done! Your stone work looks very promising, I like it a lot.

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    1. Thank you! I'm hoping it turns out well. If not, I'll be stuck trying to salvage the wall or building a new one.

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  5. I dread painting or getting any type of weathering right so I applaud your grouting and smoke marks on the fireplace. Looking good :0)

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    1. Oh yes! I was really worried about how black it looked at first. Luckily some water and grey paint helped. Now it looks used which was my goal. But I'm grateful it's in a semi dark place so any mistakes aren't obvious!

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  6. LOL at "yay, it fits", that's been shouted many a time in my work room.

    The fireplace looks nice, and beautiful job with the stone wainscoting so far.

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    1. It's a constant chorus over here. Every time I put something back together. Thanks so much!

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  7. The fireplace looks great. I love the arched stonework inside. The colors on the the wall stones is very good too.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks! I was really worried about that chimney wall.

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  8. I'm so happy that each part of the fireplace turned out so well! The exterior stone is looking great! I bet the real life garden is, too!

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    1. Relieved the fireplace is working out the way I want. So far so good. Real life garden... could be better. Thanks!

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  9. I really like the way you've aged the bricks. The fireplace looks very cozy! I'm so impressed with the stone work for the outside and I can't wait to see the way you finish them too. The pattern is beautiful!

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  10. Love the mix of colors in the wainscotting! It looks beautiful! And the brickwork looks great too!

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    1. Thank you. You wouldn't believe how much I worried over the wainscoting.

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