My new “art” — vintage fireback
I saw a photo somewhere of a kitchen that had an antique fireback installed as part of the backsplash over the stove. Thinking it would be a cool element when we eventually redo our kitchen, I started searching online. Cast iron firebacks are thousands of dollars, but I found a brass one on Etsy for around $150 and had to have it, even tho I wasn’t sure what I’d do with it. I couldn’t figure out how to hang it on a wall, so I bought a cheap wall ledge that was slightly wider than the piece, and painted it the same as the wall so it would be inconspicuous.
it‘s now in the foyer of my antique house, over the $25 table I found at a thrift shop.
I just put the plant there; not sure it’s staying.
Comments (23)
Related Discussions
XP - How should I remove paint from my vintage sconces
Comments (15)1929Spanish I understand TOTALLY about all the endless work with these dear old houses. I look forward to the pictures. An update on my end: While away for a weekend with my best friend, my husband took a heat gun to my sconces! I was shocked that he did that, but so far they look unharmed. Too late now anyway I guess :)They are far from paint free, but the layers that have come off are revealing the original metal in streaky bits. He worked on them for hours and hours apparently. Turned out he wanted to take his new heat gun for a spin. We put a freeze on any further heatgun activity until I can find out more. Still dying to know what Old Houses recommended. Went there to root around and got totally overwhelmed. I think it's just restoration overload! LOL!...See MoreNew Art for LR
Comments (95)Squirrel - I didn't think about just scootching it over. You mean still on the same wall? Or over above the light switch on the other side? I would rather have the tall mirror than multiple things. DH and this guy were friends growing up. We've never done anything with them as a couple etc. It's just one of those things where they still like each other but don't get together. We run into them frequently while out shopping on the weekends. They do live close by. Kmcg - I love that pic! Three plates vertically on either side of a mirror on the gallery wall or the thermostat wall?...See MoreBuilding new face frames for vintage cabs?
Comments (4)If the cabinets are built in place, it will probably be almost impossible to move them out without destroying them. As to your plan, anything is possible. The question should be whether it's worth pursuing, and this seems unlikely. Attaching an additional layer of face-frame to the existing frame is a bad idea; you'd have to remove the old and build new. Like Bob, I am skeptical that your existing 'boxes' are so wonderful. They're too shallow, fitted with motley, mismatched hinges, and the drawers are shot. Building a face frame one inch thicker than usual means building it with lumber that's one inch thicker than typical. Thicker lumber is more expensive and, in many areas, much harder to obtain. Joining the pieces together will be trickier, and may have to be done on-site. There will be a lot of very careful measuring for the drawers, which will have to be custom-built; installing them will be a finicky process. On top of all that, you're concerned about the price. I suspect you'll find it difficult to locate a carpenter willing to do it at all, because it's slow, fussy, risky work and not very lucrative. If you succeed in finding someone, you may find the cost/benefit ratio rather high. But, hey, there's no harm in asking a few craftsmen to look at it. If your plan doesn't pan out, you might look at local cabinet shops as an alternative to Lowes/HD....See MoreHelp with my vintage sink situation? Style mavens, grant me your
Comments (29)Raro, when you get to your next alternative universe, make sure you look on eBay. :-) That's where I found my sink. I was on eBay every few days for a couple of months but at last, there it was, and I got it for a touch over $1200, which isn't bad when you consider what a new "farmhouse" sink WITHOUT a drainboard or backsplash costs (see link below). You may have to search a zillion different ways; I had searches that looked like this: vintage sink -doll -dollhouse -toy -bath -bathroom -powder or antique sink -doll -dollhouse -toy -bath -bathroom -powder ...but it ended up paying off. Here is a link that might be useful: Farmhouse sinks...See More
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoSmall world, Sue, that was probably me! Your fireback is beautiful and I love how you're displaying it!
When we had our kitchen here gutted down to the adobe walls and completely redone about 12 years ago, I had a fireback installed in the tile over my cooktop. I'd never seen it done before, but I wanted to use one somewhere in our new kitchen and it just seemd like the perfect spot for it. My contractor was at first incredulous, but I soon won him over. Thank goodness that he knew what he was doing, as my fireback was quite heavy! I still love how it looks after all these years!
- 5 years ago
5 years agoI love it, Sueb! I’ve always admired Lynn’s. I have two but only one displayed. We had it welded together and hangers attached also. It’s now hanging in our vestibule. It came from the house where my paternal grandfather was born.
- 5 years ago
5 years ago- 5 years ago
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
5 years ago
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real