Me? A procrastinator? Just because I put off until now reading this? I started to read it on Thursday, but after just a few words I saw a bad word! EXERCISE! So I didn't read any more. So here I am. So far today I have: read the paper, had my oatmeal and tea, made the bed, fussed at the cat for getting on the new chair, checked on Eagle Cam, Africam, Gorilla Cam, and lucked out on Djuma Cam and spent a lot of time there, had a banana and more tea, watched a few minutes of 20/20 that I taped last night (will finish that later) played around on photoshop, started a letter to a friend (I'll finish that later) and now here I am back at the KT. And it is time to fix some dinner, or I could do that later. Oh, well, guilty as charged. Think I'll watch the news. Sue

The hearth is the main issue. Technically, you must have the hearth to meet code. It is a wood burning fireplace with a gas log installed. There is no code that says you can remove the hearth if you install a gas log into a wood burning fireplace. So I highly recommend against removing it because you will likely need to put it back if and when you sell your home. With that said, the way the hearth is built throws everything off. So how about taking what you have and working with it: Extend the hearth the entire width of the fireplace wall. Replace the mantel with a reclaimed wood beam that also spans the entire wall. Change out that fireplace door and have some new grills made to match. Get a nice potted plant. Now the fireplace does not give the illusion that it is taking shrinking the room, it becomes part of the room. Here's what you end up with: Shown above: Craftsman Fireplace Door in Forged Iron by: Hansen Wholesale

What room is this? Dining Room???? I have been watching Escape to the Country the British equivalent of House Hunters and most would kill for such a lovely feature in their home. I would use gas logs that are lifted off the floor using andirons and add all the other accessories appropriate for this type of fireplace. I'm guessing you might be living in some type of colonial style home.

Before and after. We are very happy with the results! In addition to the paint, we did a new door, said so long board and batten around the base and the corbels that were falling off, and bye bye to the decking. We also poured a larger porch area and added a brick patio to the front. Still need to get up on the ladder and get the last bit of blue tape off the window, but I was too excited not to post! One more coat coming to the shingles, too . We painted most of the house ourselves, hiring out only the tallest parts. Thanks to all for the advice and encouragement!