And someday I might get one.
Until then, I'll be curling up in front my tiny electric fireplace. How cozy.
I've always wanted a fireplace in my kitchen.
I mean, come on, how charming would that be?
A late 1920's cottage by sea with a second hearth, lit with fire, during the dinner hour on a chilly fall or winter eve...
It's the stuff that design dreams are made of.
I mean, come on, how charming would that be?
A late 1920's cottage by sea with a second hearth, lit with fire, during the dinner hour on a chilly fall or winter eve...
It's the stuff that design dreams are made of.
Unfortunately, my DIY guy doesn't share my burning desire.
If you'll pardon the pun.
While I see cozy days and nights by the glow of embers, he sees construction, costs and labor. His labor. Naturally, he's less excited about the prospect of this project.
Oh, he's not completely opposed. Just not ready to start punching holes in the wall.
So, it's been something I've been working on for a long, long time.
A few quiet whispers here. A few pretty pictures there.
Slowly wearing him down.
As he's said many times before, I can usually whine longer than he can stand to listen to it.
And he's not wrong. Our pool is a case in point.
However, I've been less inclined to push him on this one because he's not wholly wrong.
Installing a fireplace on that wall, one that backs up to a stairway, would be a construction challenge.
We'd need to build it out, away from the wall, which would in turn close in the kitchen.
It'd also have to be gas, since my lungs couldn't deal with real wood burning in the house. Moving gas lines is never easy and it would involve permits and plumbers.
We'd also have to keep that gas fireplace clean.
And from a design perspective I worry that it will take away from my gorgeous kitchen hood.
Where would the focal point of the room be?
Which way would you look?
Lastly, he's 100% right about the cost and mostly, the mess. Ugh, that mess.
I just don't know if I ever want to go down that construction road again.
Ever.
So my dream of having another fabulous stone fireplace, like the one in my living room, replicated in the kitchen has become a back burner priority.
One of those things we might consider doing in the future and until then, it will live in my head.
Then this weekend I had a brainstorm.
I was sitting in my kitchen desk chair, freezing, on that first dark evening of daylight savings and thought, a fireplace really would be perfect right now.
Then I remembered the small electric one I had in the basement. It belonged to my mom and somehow, I was the lucky winner of this little treasure.
My mom had purchased it for her condo when she moved in.
She loved fireplaces and since her condo didn't have one, she decided to add an electric one. This electric fireplace is very similar.
Less for heat and more for the ambiance.
Once it came to live with us, it was relegated to storage, because - and I'm a little ashamed to admit this - I was kind of a fireplace snob.
I'd been lucky enough to have real fireplaces in all three of my grown up homes, starting with our first apartment. The idea of some fake flames was less than appealing.
However, I'm pleased to say that I've grown.
A few years ago, desperate for some warmth and style in our basement, I took a chance and added an electric fireplace tv console to the room. The kids were begging for it, so I gave in.
I rarely sat down there anyway.
When it arrived, I was skeptical, but after a little modification, it turned out to be the perfect addition to the space.
As a matter of fact, it brought back lovely memories of sitting in front a lightbulb powered fireplace at my aunt and uncle's house, growing up.
My cousins, my little brother and I played games, watched tv, snacked and laughed for hours in front of its glow making the best memories.
We couldn't have cared less that the flames weren't real.
It was that thought that was swirling around in my head, when I asked my husband to go get my mom's little mini-stove and bring it upstairs.
I had him pop it in my office area of the kitchen, right across from my desk, in the place where this little red table has been living for the last 15 years.
And I know my mom would be so happy to know that someone was putting it to good use.
It has a heater built into to it, so when I'm cold, I just turn it on and warm up.
In the meantime, I have the "flame" going all day long.
Morning to night.
I think it really adds something to room...another {free!!} layer of elegance to complement my new kitchen curtains.
To accent my home for fall. Or in summer with a little bit of fabric.
Of course, right now the fabric above my desk looks a little too springy.
And those linen valances in my family room definitely have to go.
Oh boy. Here we go again.
At this rate every room in the house will have a complete makeover by Christmas!
Now you'll have to excuse me while I go shop my home.
Would you ever buy a fake fireplace?
Here's a warm winter, friends!
That fireplace looks very cozy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Penny! I’ve actually fallen in love with it even more over the past few days.
DeleteI do understand about the construction. When we remodeled, I wanted a gas fireplace in the corner in the family room. My husband loves it teases me about it was his idea...LOL
ReplyDeleteWe also have a wood burning fireplace in the entry, A Tulikivi.
We converted the wood fireplace in our living room to gas years ago and it really is the best. Love that remote! And I’d never heard of a Tulikivi fireplace. I had to look it up…very cool! Your home has so many unique and beautiful touches, Linda.
DeleteThat little fireplace makes your space look so warm and cozy. It looks perfect there.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Briana! It really is such a cozy little addition to my workspace.
DeleteIt looks great and I agree that your mom would be happy to know that you are using it and loving it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorri!! I know it sounds odd, but I remember my mom saying, "I hope you kids are going to use this when I'm gone" about a lot of things. I used to tell her to stop...but now I hear these words in my head and know she'd be happy. It also makes me think of her every time I catch that little stove in my view.
DeleteHow great you had this sweet fireplace from your mom and could make it work upstairs in your house. It looks so cute where you have it. Oh my gosh how pretty a fireplace put in your kitchen would be. I agree it would take a lot of moving things, construction and permits to get that to work. Since you have the other one at least you can enjoy that. I miss having a real fireplace. The sound of crackling wood and the beauty it puts in a room I miss so much. Especially with our winters up here in the Midwest. Hopefully another day in the future I might have a fireplace again. I have thought of putting one on the outer wall of our living room but Terry told me what a big project that would be too! We girls can dream right!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great rest of the day. xoxo Kris
Thank you, Kris...and yes!! A girl's gotta dream!! Especially when she's a DIY and decor lover like we are. I hear you with missing the fire...our fireplace wasn't really safe to use for the first few years we were living here. It wasn't until we installed the gas that we were able to sit in front of a crackling fire...but I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who gets it when it comes to all the construction and expense that would be involved to add a new one to the house. Right now I'm just not into that. I do love the real flames we get to sit in front of in the living room, but let's face it, we live in the kitchen. For now, this one works great. It checks all the boxes...might be something to consider. xxoo
DeleteMy Husband has wanted one of those for awhile now. I just don't know where we would put it. I do like them.
ReplyDeleteWe love them now, Betty. I ADORE my gas fireplace, it’s so easy to turn on and off and the fire is gorgeous. However, these are even easier to manage. If you can find a space for one, I highly recommend…😊
DeleteIt is a pretty little fireplace, just perfect for your kitchen, and it's nice for harmony in the home,lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marlene! It's totally changed my view of this little hallway. It's not become a room...and I love that.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteWe have a gas fireplace in our living room and I love it. We looked at small electric fireplaces for our next project.. which is to change up the boys play room into a parlor. ;-) Right now I am painting some furniture for the new guest room.. which was the boys room. It is all turning out nice. And I am using furniture that we have, I am painting it and placing it in the guest room .. more to come on the blog as I get these projects completed.
Love your style Kim! What I love most is how cozy it all looks and feels. I love the color of the small fireplace.
Carla
Carla, I can't wait to see all of your makeovers! Each one sounds more interesting than the next. And I say get an electric one for the parlor. Like I said, I was so snobby about it, but they really are so easy to use and available everywhere. We got the basement one from Home Depot...free delivery right to our door.
DeleteWe didn't buy a fake fireplace; I was a fireplace snob too. However, Hubs did win one on a gameshow and it was a great addition to the bedroom until the heater fizzled. Your post has got me thinking that maybe it's time to make it over?
ReplyDeleteOk...I definitely recommend a makeover! I'm already thinking of adding fabric to the front of mine in spring and summer. I know you two would come up with something fabulous. But tell me more about this gameshow...
DeleteI miss having a fireplace and I keep saying the next house HAS to have one! I'd prefer a gas one, but I could be persuaded.
ReplyDeleteWe love the gas one, Ann. It’s been a game changer for me and my terrible lungs. These little electric ones are so real looking now though, I have to say if I could put one in my bedroom now, I totally would. ☺️
DeleteI love it! There really is something so cozy about a fireplace, even if it's electric. I don't have a real one or an electric one, and I think I need one in the winter. But, I dont' know where I'd put it!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Mari...it's just like the way candlelight cozies up a room. Now I'm trying to see if I could fit one in my bedroom!
DeleteLove it, Kim and it has pretty feet. We converted our wood burning fireplace to gas.
ReplyDeleteAs nutty as we are about our pups we had to . Reeses would tremble from the cracking in the wood.
It reminded him of firecrackers. We have no regrets.
Cindy
We love our gas fireplace, too, Cindy! I adore the fact that we can flick it on and off with the push of a button and there's no smoke. We use it all the time now. No regrets here either!!
DeleteVery clever of you to bring it upstairs Kim. We had a fireplace in Greece and I really miss it keeping me company in the evenings.
ReplyDeleteI say grab an electric one, Mary. It really is a great substitute!
DeleteWow! Your determination always results in a good way! How I'd love a fireplace in my kitchen. In fact I'd love a dual sided fireplace for the kitchen and family room. Never happening.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, my friend!!
Jane 😘
Thanks!! And I think a dual sided one would be fabulous, Jane! If we didn't have a stairway between the kitchen and family room, I'd be advocating for one, too. In the meantime, I'm faking it. 😉
DeleteKim, I with you about building a whole new fireplace as it sounds impossible! Your solution for using the electric fireplace is just perfect. It looks so nice and it will keep you all warm in the winter. It seems like the safer solution too. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYou know, Julie, the older I get, the more safety plays a part in my choices. I only use electric candles now for that reason, so why not an electric fireplace!
DeleteI'd dearly love a fireplace. We were given an old gas fireplace but its is so big and it made our living room hot, so we moved it to the basement.
ReplyDeleteI'd love one that fit the living room. I can't believe the one in your family room is electric! I'm glad you are able to use your moms little fireplace as well in the kitchen!
I think the fireplaces really make our winters more bearable for me, Deanna. We just spend so much time indoors. The family room electric one really did convince me that any "flame" will do, but our actual living room fireplace is still my favorite. There's nothing like that roar of real...but yes, it gets hot in that living room.
DeleteThat little fireplace looks perfectly at home where you have it! We have a real woodnburning fireplace in our living room but we rarely use it. Maybe once or twice in the winter. We don't like the smoke in our house and the mess it makes. We always have to leave a window cracked while we're using it. We would love to have it converted to a gas fireplace but we were once told by a contractor that it would cost $3000 - $5000. We passed. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt wasn’t a cheap endeavor to convert ours to gas, I remember it, but for us, it’s been very worth it. I’ll have to ask my husband, to make sure I’m not missing anything, but I don’t think it was quite that expensive. Maybe $1500…I know the logs/ gas grill set up we had to buy was about $700 and I think it was about the same for the plumber to tie the gas line from the house into the fireplace. Of course, we have gas in the house to heat it, the burner shares the same flue as the fireplace and this was all about at least a decade ago…it may be more expensive now.
DeleteA few years ago we converted our wood-burning fireplace to gas in the living room and loved it so much that we added another gas fireplace in our kitchen/eating area. Love that, too. It makes everything so cozy and toasty warm. Your little electric fireplace is in just the perfect place!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love another one in the kitchen, Lorrie...so lucky! We are smitten with our living room gas fireplace, but let's face it, we live in the kitchen. For now this little electric one will have to do, but your set up is the dream!
DeleteIt's perfect, Kim, and works so well with the bench beside it! I was a fireplace snob too until we moved into this house with no fireplace. I missed our wood burning fireplace in our old home but for the same reasons, hubby said it would be too big a job to install one. I had a dream dammit! And so we broke down and got an electric. Gas/Electric, they both have a fake flame but it works for ambiance and heat. So we installed another one, downstairs. I'm with you on the stone kitchen fireplace in the cottage by the sea dream!
ReplyDeleteI'm telling you, Marie...the electric ones are a great substitute for the real thing. They really add so much to a room when you can't have a wood burning or gas fired flame.
DeleteHi Kim. I'm so glad you thought about the little stove for your kitchen. It looks so cute there and I think you will find that you kitchen is much cozier because of it. I know when ours was broken the kitchen suffered..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteSO cozy, Judy...now we can be kitchen stove twins! Ha!
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