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Amanda Fontenot – the Blog

Amanda Fontenot - the Blog

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Our Fireplace Makeover.

DIY + Our Home

It’s done! And I’m so excited to share!!

We’ve had our sights set on making over this fireplace mantle since we moved in almost 3 years ago now. I even included it in this blog post about the 10 projects we had planned for 2021. But it wasn’t until we upgraded our living room TV to the Samsung Frame TV that we pushed the project to the top of our to-do list. This new mantle sits about 8 inches lower than the previous one, which allowed the TV to sit lower and is therefore at a much more comfortable viewing angle. If you’re wondering why we moved the TV to above the mantle – there are a couple of reasons. First, the Frame TV is meant to sit flat on the wall much like an actual picture frame. With the way that our room is set up, that meant that it would make more sense to be above the mantle since it would allow for more viewing angles. Secondly, the Frame TV displays art when powered off, so we thought it might look best above the mantle just like a framed painting or piece of artwork would look nice up there.

It’s crazy how BIG of a difference a fireplace can make in a room. It has always been the focal point in this space, but now it’s a much prettier one for sure!

Before and After

Here’s a look at the before and after and then I’ll show you the DIY process!

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
BEFORE
DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
AFTER

DIY Fireplace

This DIY fireplace makeover was honestly a fairly easy one! There were just a few steps involved.

Step 1: Remove the old mantle

I scored the caulk around the existing mantle to make removal with minimal wall damage a little easier. Then, using a crowbar and rubber mallet, slowly worked my way around the mantle to break it free. This is what it looked like afterwards. Yep, that’s a real life mess in the foreground 😉

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog

Step 2: Build supporting frame.

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog

This was a support frame built from a few 2×6’s and 2×4’s and then attached to the wall with a couple pieces of 1×4 in the back. As you can see it’s a good bit lower than the outline of the old mantle. This was crucial because we wanted to be able to mount the TV much lower to be easier to watch. Plus, I wanted the width of the legs and the width of the top to be as even as possible.

Step 3: Cover the frame with drywall.

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog

I used 3/8″ drywall along the top and sides. Then, I used 1/2″ drywall on the front to give slightly more depth to the overall mantle.

Step 4: Mud and sand.

For some reason I didn’t capture this process at all. Garrett spent his whole weekend mudding and sanding. It took three layers to cover the seams and make it all one level plane, but he did such a good job!

Step 5: Paint and decorate!

The final step! I used flat interior paint on the mantle and applied it with a thick 3/4″ roller because I wanted a little extra coverage and texture to the mantle itself. The effect gave the surface an almost stone-like look and feel and I absolutely love it!

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog
DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog

And that’s it.. What do you think?! We think it goes so much better with the look and feel of our home as a whole. I’ve caught myself several times lately just standing and staring!

Like this post? Pin and share!

DIY Fireplace Makeover | Design | Amanda Fontenot Blog

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Published on November 3, 2021

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Hi, I’m Amanda

Amanda Fontenot - The Blog

I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a wife and mom of three with a passion for DIY projects, decor and all things home. I hope you’ll find my site useful or, at the least, inspirational! If there’s something specific you’re looking for and can’t find, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

 

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Helping you create a home you love through DIY home improvement, decor and design services. Let's work together! Day-to-day in stories.

Comment CURTAINS if you’d like these beauties se Comment CURTAINS if you’d like these beauties sent to your DMS🤍 #gifted #twopageshome #twopagescurtains 

We’ve lived here over a year and I went back and forth for WAY too long on whether or not this window needed drapes😅 Now, they’ve been up 24 hrs and my family has already made multiple comments about how much nicer/cozier/prettier this room looks and feels with these curtains by @twopagescurtains🥰 Moral of the story: add the curtains, friends! And use AFBLOG for 15% off your entire order!

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Follow and comment DESIGN if you’d like me to se Follow and comment DESIGN if you’d like me to send you a direct link to my design services page🏡

I thought it might be helpful to see a little behind-the-scenes of what a discovery call looks like on my end! Nothing scary - just a quick video call so I can get a better sense of you and your needs + answer any questions you may have☺️Thats it! Then you get to sit back and relax while I do the rest🥰

#edesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #homesweethome #homedecorlovers #homedecorator #floridainteriordesigner #tallahasseeinteriordesigner #designinspo
Introducing the new and improved Amanda Fontenot D Introducing the new and improved Amanda Fontenot Design🤎

I’ve been serving E-design clients since 2020 and have had the immense honor of working with dozens of clients on everything from entryways to playrooms to nurseries and even kitchen remodels. I’m ready to take my business to the next level and offer even more packages - including in-person design and decorating for my local Tallahassee friends🤗 

If you’re interested, please reach out, click the link or save this post for later when you may need it! Can’t wait to work together!!

#interiordesigner #tallahassee #interiors #edesign #design #homerenovation #butlerspantry #homedesign #interiordecorator #floridainteriordesigners
I mean.. I get it, to be honest.. I can only ho I mean.. 

I get it, to be honest..

I can only hope that people might look at my profile before/after commenting and realize this ain’t my first rodeo🤠 

For the first project: we needed more storage. Period.

And the second: the paint was abnormally thick and wasn’t splattering. Believe me I DID test/check. I covered and protected the things I knew I couldn’t easily wipe clean (rug/play couch/etc) - it all turned out FINE)🫶🏼 

I also feel like people saw the Timelapse’s and assumed I was going super fast and just splattering paint everywhere🤣 In reality I was going super slow!!!🤪

#interiordesign #homerenovation #diyhomeimprovement #interiorstyling #homeinspo #homedecor #interiordesign #beforeandafter #homestyling #homesweethome #funny #interiordesigner #floridadesigners
Save this post for later!🤎 Little disclaimer - Save this post for later!🤎

Little disclaimer - I’ve only ever used traditional wallpaper, but have yet to have any issues.. especially with these tips!👇🏼

3 Tips for wallpaper success:

1️⃣. Start in the most inconspicuous corner of the room. Your wallpaper has to end somewhere and it’s not necessarily going to line up with the connecting paper when it does. Not a big deal, just start in a corner that isn’t front and center when you walk in the room!

2️⃣. Use a laser level to ensure your first piece of wallpaper is hung perfectly straight. The first piece is the most important. It will affect the way the rest of the strips are hung. So make it easier on yourself and either draw a plumb line or use a laser level to successfully hang the first piece!

3️⃣. Use a thick nap roller to apply a very thick layer of glue to the wall. The more the merrier. This makes it super easy to move the wallpaper around on the wall while you’re trying to make sure it’s straight and in line with the previous piece’s pattern. 

Do you have any tips to share? Leave them below!

#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #homeinspo #homerenovation #interiorstyling #diyhomeimprovement #homesweethome #wallpaper #wallpaperlove #wallpaperinspo #howto
I will never understand people’s blatant disrega I will never understand people’s blatant disregard for common courtesy and decorum on the internet🫠 I wish I could say the criticism on my recent post didn’t bother me, but I’m only human and my knee jerk reaction was to feel a little down and even defensive.😅

Here’s the thing though, it’s true what they say- “All publicity is good publicity.” And if I have to withstand 100 harsh comments so that the algorithm will put my posts in front of 10 of my ‘people’ then it’s all worth it. So, thank you, Karens of the internet, for helping me to grow my account😘 #silverlining #bekind #beigeinterior #ilovebeige

P.S. If you think this room’s beige, you should see my butlers pantry😂

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Save this post for later🫶🏼 I love how these Save this post for later🫶🏼

I love how these cute little cabinet feet add so much character and personality to our kitchen peninsula. The best part? They were fairly simple to make and attach. So I thought I’d make this little guide in case you wanted to make them too!

Tools and supplies you’ll need for this project:
• .75 in thick plywood
• jigsaw
• wood glue
• clamps
• electric sander
• paint that’s been color matched to your cabinets
• brad nailer + nails 

Send this to a friend and let me know if you have any questions.. I’m here to help!🤗

#diy #diykitchens #kitchenrenovation #kitchenreno #kitchenupdates #diyersofinstagram #easydiy #howto #beforeandafter #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #housebeautiful #fixerupper
It just blends🤌🏻 This was the first time I It just blends🤌🏻

This was the first time I painted a ceiling anything other than white and I think I’m pretty much obsessed. 

This ceiling needed to be painted anyway. After the addition of the wall and remodel of the bookcase and all.. but when it came down to it, it just didn’t seem right to give it a fresh coat of white. I love the way your eye just keeps going across the room and is free to focus on the more important elements like the beautiful wallpaper, deep colors and different textures🤎 

What’s your take?

#remodel #houseremodel #painting #colordrenching #homedesign #kidsroominspo #playroomideas #playroomdecor
Follow + comment LET’S COOK and I’ll send you Follow + comment LET’S COOK and I’ll send you the dinner  recipes I’m using next week🤗

Want to take the stress out of planning next week’s meals? Swipe to see the menu I have queued up for Sun-Thurs and then join me in stories so we can cook together in the evenings🫶🏼 Happy Friday!!

https://liketk.it/56oXg #ltkhome

#recipeshare #recipes #menu #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #diningroom #homedecor #diningroomdesign #tgif #momlife #momhacks
Save this post for later!💙 I fell in love with Save this post for later!💙

I fell in love with this blue the moment I saw it on the wall. It’s not too warm and not too cool and satisfies that craving for color without being too *much*👏🏻 

Where would you use this color?

#paintcolor #sherwinwilliams #boysroom #kidsroom #kidsroomideas #homedecor #homeinspo #paintcolors #bluepaint #frenchblue #floridaliving #coastaldecor
Gimme the house that needs work under budget so I Gimme the house that needs work under budget so I can make it my own every. single. time😉 

Can anyone else relate?!🙋🏻‍♀️

#homedesign #realestate #beforeandafter #diyhomeimprovement #homesweethome #kitchenrenovation #kitchen #kitchenideas
The 10 big projects we accomplished during our fir The 10 big projects we accomplished during our first year in our new (old) home 🛠️

Share this with someone who loves a good before and after🤗

1.  WALL REMOVAL #1: Removed a non-structural wall that separated the living room and kitchen. It gave us a solid 4 more feet of usable space in our small living room and made a HUGE difference in the look and feel of this home🤩

2. CLOFFICE. My husband, who works from home, had a designated 3rd floor in our previous home and literally NOWHERE to call his own in this one - except for a corner of our room. Luckily we were able to swap an extra closet from a guest room to ours that was big enough for an office!

3. VENETIAN PLASTER WALL & MANTLE: The previous mantle was way too high and the brick wall made it impossible to hang our TV and hide its cord.. So I used Venetian Plaster to cover the brick and built a custom stone veneer mantle🔥

4. WALL & DOOR: Building a wall between these two living spaces downstairs made it so much more practical for the way our family wanted to utilize the space. Now our kids have a functional playroom where they can play, be loud and store aaalll the toys… and we can hear ourselves think😉

5. STORAGE BANQUETTE: I built a corner banquet that opens up for storage and serves as seating for games, coloring, crafting, etc.!🎉

6. DROPZONE: We desperately needed someplace to store shoes, backpacks, bags and jackets by the garage door where we come in and out of the house. Thankfully, there was a closet here that I could open up and turn into a little mudroom area🙌🏻

7. LAUNDRY ROOM GLOW-UP: The previous laundry room felt extremely makeshift and dysfunctional. It had no room to fold clothes, pipes were sticking out of the wall and it originally had ugly lenoleum flooring. It’s still small and cramped but makes MUCH more sense🫶🏼

8. BUTLERS PANTRY: I’ve always dreamt of having a butlers pantry and was beyond excited when I realized it would be doable here!

9. DISGUISED THE FRIDGE: We moved the fridge into the closet under the stairs to make more room for a large range and cabinets.

10. REMOVED STRUCTURAL WALL: I mean🤯

#DIY #homerenovation #kitchendesign #remodeling #kitchenremodel
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