The Fireboard Project Part III

I primed the board I had cut to size, and then put the base coat of a light beige on before taking it to Maine where I had more room to work.

In spite of a cold/allergy situation, requiring frequent naps and Sudafeds,I was able to do the stenciling fairly quickly, thanks to the use of fast-drying acrylics.

I forgot to bring a print-out of the layout, so I had to do this from memory.

The finished board is now ready to be installed. I will configure some clips, and some moldings to match the fireplace surround, in order to hold it in place.

The Fireboard Project Part II

I worked up a simple design in Adobe Illustrator, using typical stencil motifs. The design seemed acceptable, and the colors will be in coordination with the room's soft furnishings.

It still seemed to need a bit more, so I decided to plan for some of the border designs to be over-stenciled to create a shadow effect. This should give it a bit more excitement.

The Fireboard Project

Fireboards were used to cover fireplace openings during the warm weather, for the practical reasons of keeping dirt and birds, etc. out of the house (in those days, there were not dampers to close off the flue). And of course, people began making these more decorative. Decoration could be akin to an oil painting or landscape mural, free-hand or stenciled designs, or wallpaper and other printed paper could be used.

Since the house in Wiscasset has some fireplaces that are not used, and have no dampers, I have kept them closed with pieces of foam board insulation - not an elegant solution. After visiting an exhibit of hearth-related items at Old Sturbridge Village (www.osv.org), I decided it was time to create some of these.

Will post more as the project moves ahead.

Phlox Explosion

While it is too hot to actually stay outside, the flowers are going wild. Bee balm is a nice cool blue, and the phlox this year have gone insane!

Mid-Summer Garden

Animals don't like to eat daylilies, astilbe, monkshood, foxglove or bee balm, so those comprise my low-maintenance garden.

In spite of the hot weather, it is looking good.