I can honestly say that I am pretty handy around the house. If something needs to be fixed or remodeled, I make an attempt at it. I’ve done everything from sheetrock and paint to re-finishing my kitchen cabinets. If I get stuck and need some direction, my first call is usually to my dad (my husband is very handy but I hate to bother him at work). I’ve had the pleasure of having my parents out visiting for the last few weeks which always means those bigger projects that I don’t feel comfortable tackling by myself can get done because my dad is here to help out.
For some background on this particular project, I’ve always had an issue with the stark white fireplace in our living room, it’s just so blah. There is way too much white and it just looks crappy.
I should note that I tend to watch way too much DIY and HGTV which results in me saying to my husband “I have an idea”. Once he hears me say that, he knows that I’m going to do something to the house! Well, the other night I happened to catch a remodel where they were re-doing a fireplace similar to ours. I thought to myself, that would work in my living room, I’m going to do it. So, the very next day, my dad and I went out to The Home Depot and picked up some supplies for the project including the tile, glue, and grout.
I hadn’t done tile work in quite some time and I never worked with glass mosaics so dad was right there, dishing out the advice.
It didn’t take us very long at all, maybe an hour. The hardest part was nipping the individual tiles to fit along the side. Before I knew, I had put the last tile in place.
And then it was just a matter of stepping back and checking it out…what do you think? The living room is all pretty neutral in color and it’s hard to tell by the picture but it matches really well.
Tomorrow, I’ll grout it and the job will be complete. My dad’s estimate as to what it would have cost me to have someone come in and do is about $700. Ladies, this cost less than $100 in material and maybe, when all is said and done, 2 hours of time. So go ahead and tackle one of those things that you’ve been wanting to try. I know after doing this, I’m going in to rip out all the tile in my kids’ bathrooms and re-do them. Bring it on!
