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everyday inspirations: hearth and home

hearth

I'm very excited to be introducing a new feature on Wild Olive. I'm calling it Everyday Inspirations, because it's about the things that inspire me every day. Really, this is about the elements in my home that other people have put in place, but that keep me thinking creatively.

Sometimes it's a decorating element, or a handmade object, other times it's just seeing the special things that make our home what it is. These things inspire me.

Today, I invite you to take a look at our fireplace. This has been in the house for a very long time, but the brick front was looking very tired and dated. And so some years ago, my dad changed it. Tiles surround the opening, but the real art piece is the hearth. Look a little closer.

hearth
hearth

The brick hearth is now covered with concrete, which my dad tinted. Before it dried, he pressed leaves into the cement, giving it a fossilized look. His idea was that this would appear to be a large piece of rock, aged over the years. He even distressed it and gave it a missing chunk in the front!

hearth
hearth
hearth
hearth

Why does this inspire me? Well, because my daddy did it, and because it shows his creativity and appreciation for detail. I love that it uses some of the old, and makes it pretty and new (well...new but looking old!). It's also now a place where you can sit by the fire, and think of new ideas!

Welcome to our inspiring hearth and home.

3 comments:

  1. Lovely, sadly the fireplace in my house was taken out in the seventies, otherwise I might copy this idea!

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  2. Love this! And, I see that you have one of those beetle shoe things (non-scientific term)...my great aunt used to have one of those in her bathroom and I was always scared it was going to come to life ;)

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  3. Mollie,
    I've been lurking for a little while now, but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. You are so creative and you've put the important things (faith and family) in the top spots in your life. Thanks for sharing such an encouraging blog!

    ReplyDelete

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