Most people are decking out the mantels right now and getting cozy by their fireplaces. Stockings are being hung and garlands are being swagged…
…but not at our house. We disliked this fireplace the moment we looked at our home with the realtor. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good stone fireplace, but this one…well, it was just a bit too rustic. The color of the stone was not really “my thing.”
The other problem was the location of the fireplace. We always felt like the fireplace was where the TV should be and for the last five years, our TV has been shoved in an awkward corner. We figured “some day” we would get a flat screen TV and then remove the fireplace.
“Some day” ended up being today. We were planning on purchasing a TV in December or January, but as we were sitting around in our food comas after the Thanksgiving meal, I had a thought – If we’re going to buy a TV in a few weeks, we might as well buy one on Black Friday when the prices are rock bottom. We didn’t brave the mobs and mace and opted to purchase one online instead (at almost half of the retail price.)
We got home from Raleigh about midnight and first thing this morning, my handy hubby pulled out the hammer and pry-bar to take out the fireplace. (Nothing is going to stop a man when a flat screen TV is involved!)
He set up a clever “tent” made of ladders and plastic to contain the mess, which was pretty big.
After a lot of hard work, the entire fireplace was removed the mess was cleaned up. Fortunately, there was drywall behind the fireplace, so minimal patching is required. I can’t wait to get this wall smooth, primed and painted, so it looks seamless. The TV will be delivered in a few days and I’m now on the hunt for a buffet or dresser to put under it.
The moral of the story…
…If you want a DIY project done, just tell your husband a 46″ HDTV will hang there and it will be done within 24 hours.
(I say that facetiously, because I’m excited too. I can’t wait to watch the extended version of Lord of the Rings on it in full HD. Yes. I’m a dork.)
