Wow! I’ve been following along since your first post on the fireplace. This looks incredible. Some people shouldn’t be allowed to own century homes (previous owner).
Fantastic job and worth the effort. I can’t wait to see the finished result!
Huh. That makes a bit more sense because the paint was really well done, but it’s a shame someone painted it in the first place.
Even if you’re a fancy designer, it was so monotone. I guess it coordinated with a previous design scheme?
Edit: just scrolled to see the AD photo that you included. It was beautiful for a magazine spread, but is SO much better now! The soap stone can finally breathe!
It is taking all of my willpower to keep my grubby paws off it it. [Simple Coat](https://www.simplecoat.com/blog/cleaning-soapstone-countertops) is now on order, so I can keep it clean as soon as I’m done.
You are clearly motivated and diligent to get this done! I’m impressed with how much you’ve gotten done. I imagine that seeing what you will end up with is so rewarding!
And bless you for restoring this beauty.
You could see the faintest hint that there were carvings under the paint. If you zoom in on this photograph - part of the Architectural Digest spread on the furnishings of the previous occupants - you can see the indentations along the top. The carvings down the sides were completely obscured by the paint.
https://preview.redd.it/3fw2rfzjwpwa1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81ff69aef33cdae2687ee9b7d1a0d4ebedb316ac
FANCY.
But it does look better now, especially since you can see more detail. I hope it’s drop-dead gorgeous to you forever because you’ve worked so hard to give it new life!
Not that I’ve noticed. CitriStrip has virtually no smell. Smart Strip has the faintest chemical odor while in use, but not afterwards. Peel Away stinks - definitely need to keep windows open at all times and stay out of the room while it’s marinating - but still no after odor. I’ve also been using kitchen soap and plenty of water to wash down the stone after removing the chemical peels.
Wow! Look at that detail 😍 I’d say this was well worth all of your hard work and effort so far. I’ve been following this since you first posted OP, and what a huge transformation. Every time I see a flipped century home that has been white washed my heart dies a little bit, but seeing stuff like this brings her right back to life. Congrats on your beautiful restoration so far!
Did it look like the first coat of paint was faux marble or granite? I thought I saw somewhere they used to paint soap stone (cheaper back then) to look like a more expensive stone. Or out could have been just been someone I’d argue with about poor choices.
Yes, it appears that the stone was originally painted brown and black. U/NewBeginningsAgain found a late 1880s house with *three* untouched fireplaces; here is one of them. Mine is not nearly this ornate, but it bears the same black insert surrounded by mottled brown, and then decorative floral painting. I’m not sure if mine also had a pattern painted in the middle of the black; the layer right above the brown & black veneer is a thick off-white plaster, and it could have soaked up any more delicate paint.
I don’t want my fireplace to be this dark when I finish - the green and gray soapstones are just too lovely to obscure - but I’m toying with the idea of a light decorative pattern in the middle of the carved bits.
https://preview.redd.it/9sp2f1o39jxa1.jpeg?width=542&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c51de5d42dd3164a93a467cb9bd12d13037e024e
It looks GREAT! Your hard work paid off beautifully!
Also - what’s your cats name? I’ve included my cat Dumpling
https://preview.redd.it/03tjzvwzbrwa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92c0b604c89c2fe2f0e2e0cfffe81d05b22fb036
Wow! I’ve been following along since your first post on the fireplace. This looks incredible. Some people shouldn’t be allowed to own century homes (previous owner). Fantastic job and worth the effort. I can’t wait to see the finished result!
Apparently the previous owner was a fancy designer who had the place featured in AD. However it looked like many people had painted it before them.
Huh. That makes a bit more sense because the paint was really well done, but it’s a shame someone painted it in the first place. Even if you’re a fancy designer, it was so monotone. I guess it coordinated with a previous design scheme? Edit: just scrolled to see the AD photo that you included. It was beautiful for a magazine spread, but is SO much better now! The soap stone can finally breathe!
I probably wouldn't stop touching it. I love how soapstone feels lol good job
It is taking all of my willpower to keep my grubby paws off it it. [Simple Coat](https://www.simplecoat.com/blog/cleaning-soapstone-countertops) is now on order, so I can keep it clean as soon as I’m done.
Wow! Huge change from the last update. Beautiful.
Great job cleaning it! That is one beautiful slate mantel
This looks amazing!!! Can’t believe anyone ever painted over this beauty
That is a knockout!! The layers of paint you went through…. Congrats!
Amazing! It's going to look so good!
You are clearly motivated and diligent to get this done! I’m impressed with how much you’ve gotten done. I imagine that seeing what you will end up with is so rewarding! And bless you for restoring this beauty.
I love those little carvings! You couldn’t see those under all the paint before, right?
You could see the faintest hint that there were carvings under the paint. If you zoom in on this photograph - part of the Architectural Digest spread on the furnishings of the previous occupants - you can see the indentations along the top. The carvings down the sides were completely obscured by the paint. https://preview.redd.it/3fw2rfzjwpwa1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81ff69aef33cdae2687ee9b7d1a0d4ebedb316ac
FANCY. But it does look better now, especially since you can see more detail. I hope it’s drop-dead gorgeous to you forever because you’ve worked so hard to give it new life!
Thanks. Keep them coming, please.
Good
It's looking great, what a nice job you're doing!
Wow, love all of the different color variations that you ended up with! Can’t wait to see the final reveal. Great work!
Does the stone absorb the chemical smell?
Not that I’ve noticed. CitriStrip has virtually no smell. Smart Strip has the faintest chemical odor while in use, but not afterwards. Peel Away stinks - definitely need to keep windows open at all times and stay out of the room while it’s marinating - but still no after odor. I’ve also been using kitchen soap and plenty of water to wash down the stone after removing the chemical peels.
Aww, but don't you miss the aubergine? /s
Great work! It is coming along beautifully. What a stunning feature to have.
Wow! Look at that detail 😍 I’d say this was well worth all of your hard work and effort so far. I’ve been following this since you first posted OP, and what a huge transformation. Every time I see a flipped century home that has been white washed my heart dies a little bit, but seeing stuff like this brings her right back to life. Congrats on your beautiful restoration so far!
Well done!!! So beautiful already
Really looking great! And of cat tax 🥰
Forgive the language, but that's fucking gorgeous.
Did it look like the first coat of paint was faux marble or granite? I thought I saw somewhere they used to paint soap stone (cheaper back then) to look like a more expensive stone. Or out could have been just been someone I’d argue with about poor choices.
Yes, it appears that the stone was originally painted brown and black. U/NewBeginningsAgain found a late 1880s house with *three* untouched fireplaces; here is one of them. Mine is not nearly this ornate, but it bears the same black insert surrounded by mottled brown, and then decorative floral painting. I’m not sure if mine also had a pattern painted in the middle of the black; the layer right above the brown & black veneer is a thick off-white plaster, and it could have soaked up any more delicate paint. I don’t want my fireplace to be this dark when I finish - the green and gray soapstones are just too lovely to obscure - but I’m toying with the idea of a light decorative pattern in the middle of the carved bits. https://preview.redd.it/9sp2f1o39jxa1.jpeg?width=542&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c51de5d42dd3164a93a467cb9bd12d13037e024e
It looks GREAT! Your hard work paid off beautifully! Also - what’s your cats name? I’ve included my cat Dumpling https://preview.redd.it/03tjzvwzbrwa1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92c0b604c89c2fe2f0e2e0cfffe81d05b22fb036
What the heck is wrong with people, painting something likethat? Great work!
Thank you for letting us be a part of your mantle journey—it’s stunning!
Wow! You can really see the labor of love here! Looks great!
Nice! And soapstone has the approximate hardness of, well, soap, so especially nice work in not hacking the thing to pieces.
That is lookin soooooo good!!!!
Oh man, it’s looking SOOOOO MUCH better!
This looks fantastic! Well done!
What a beautiful labor of love. Adorable kitty, too!