The first thing I bought specifically for our house was a pair of antique “cannonball” andirons. My mom and I went to an antique store as a diversion from a tense period of waiting for our offer to be accepted and I received a call from our realtor on the way that the deal was done. So, I was shopping with more intention and excitement. I spotted this pair of andirons and they immediately spoke to me. As with most antiques I feel drawn to, I can’t always explain why one piece speaks to me and another doesn’t, but my mom pointed out that they look like the andirons that were in my Oma’s fireplace and I think perhaps her mother before her. It was intuitive and familiar and, in this case, I had an explanation.
I knew we had a woodburning fireplace for the house and, while I really didn’t know how andirons were technically used in the building of the fire, I thought they would look good in there and would likely be useful. I had some hesitation about the placement of certain things the day we were moving in, but I knew exactly where these would go.
As I shared in my “what I did over Christmas break essay” earlier this week, our power went out for about 24 hours just before Christmas day. Not only was the timing inconvenient, but the high was in the single digits, which isn’t unusual for Minnesota, but it was very unusual for Maryland. And we were caught completely unprepared. The biggest regret during those chilly couple of days was that we hadn’t had someone out to look at the chimney to make sure the fireplace was clean and safe to use. Since that was a big question mark, and using it might make the situation worse instead of better, we left it alone. The day after Christmas, though, I called a local chimney sweep. He was able to come out the next day to inspect the fireplace and chimney.
“Clean as a whistle!”, he exclaimed as he looked up the chimney. The damper was also in good working order. Everything was clean and safe to use. He did point out that we would need some more fireplace tools to really safely build a fire. We needed a screen to protect the furniture and wood floors from sparks and embers and, while the andirons were fine, he suggested getting a grate to better hold logs in place. I also knew I wouldn’t want Jeff using an old fence post or some other random piece of scrap wood as a poker. I wanted to get a proper set that included a poker, tongs, a broom, and an ash pan. These have been on my shopping list for a while, but I wasn’t in any rush. After the house hit 48°, it felt reasonable to bump it up the priority list.
But, of course, I didn’t just want any fireplace accessories. I wanted antique or vintage pieces that worked with my andirons and the overall style of the room. Well, the timing was perfect and I happened to find a screen, grate, and set all located in a local shop and listed on Facebook Marketplace. The boys had an appointment near the shop, so I was able to pop in after the appointment. I was sort of bummed the boys were waiting in the car and eager to get home because the shop is one I really want to dig around in more! I’ll plan to head back in the next week or two.
But, the tools are perfect. Not only do they have the same “cannonball” details as my andirons, but the size of the screen was as if it were made for our fireplace. All three pieces are just perfect.
Sebastian was pretty determined to be in my pictures today. He was making me laugh.
Aside from the fact that it all looks great and adds a homeyness to the fireplace, it feels so good to know that we are prepared to make a fire when we want to or need to.
The screen and fireplace tools are solid brass and the seller said they came out of an old mansion in the area. He had several screens, grates, and tool sets that all came out of that house, which had multiple fireplaces.
The tools look like they’ve hardly been used! And all three pieces were very well priced.
I think I’m going to polish up my andirons in the hope that they’ll all have a similar patina over time. Right now, the andirons look clearly older. That doesn’t bother me too much, but I would like them to look even more like they’ve “grown old” together over time.
Does anyone else love little details in a house like a worn brass damper key on a fireplace?
We still might eventually have gas logs installed in the fireplace, so we can turn it on with the flick of a switch, but I think it’s nice to experience having a wood-burning fireplace for a couple of seasons just to see how we like it. Who knows, maybe that will be the way it stays.
And, in case you’re wondering, the two painted color swatches are sample boards showing colors that are contenders for this room. You can read all about that in THIS POST. And, if you’re also wondering, we will be building a new fireplace surround that feels a bit more traditional.
PS – Can you see Sebastian in the picture above? I told you he was determined to get in my pictures today.
34 Responses
I’m thinking that Sebastian has as much pleasure as your family knowing there will be a toasty fire out of necessity or just pleasure. He’s admiring your selections.
You can’t go wrong with classic brass cannonball design! Those newer-looking tools will tarnish up in no time once you start using them. Sebastian looks like he wants to help out.
I have the same andirons at my house. I’m sorry that you had to endure the cold temps with a power outage, but I’m glad it motivated you to move ahead on getting your fireplace safe and usable. I know that wood-burning fireplaces are messy, but we love using ours. There is nothing that reliably brings my family all into the same room like a fire in the fireplace.
Sebastian is perfectly posed in the first picture, and yes, I did spot him in the other photo. He’s adorable and he can be in as many pictures as he wants to be, as far as I’m concerned!
They are lovely! Sebastian is a hoot!
Good morning, I am somewhat new to your blog, and this is my first comment. Let me preface by saying that your accomplishments and ingenuity really make me feel like going back to bed each time I read one of your posts. 😉 Anyway, Marion considering all of the weather issues the country is experiencing I think it might be a really good idea to keep your fireplace woodburning. Most of the homes here in Northern New Mexico come with fireplaces and woodburning stoves. Those of us fortunate enough to have these as a heating alternative truly need to count our blessings. I have never wanted to be dependent on local utilities in case “the lights go out”. Plus, you cannot recreate the wonderful ambiance of real wood with gas. Look forward to seeing the progress in your new home. Thank you for being here.
Your fireplace and mantel are beautiful! I love the simple way you’ve decorated the mantel. Your new purchases fit with it all so perfectly. Good luck with the colors, they both look pretty with the brick.
I know there are lots of things you want to do, but this already looks like YOUR home! It all looks so lovely. I imagine the andirons are darker than the other pieces because they are exposed to heat and flame. Even if you polish them, they will likely darken again when you build a fire.
The pieces truly do belong together. Sebastian was posing so sweetly!! He’s precious!!!
Regarding the paint color options, I have a question. Does the brick meet the wall directly anywhere? It does not appear in pictures that it does. Assuming your book shelves and all trim will be white, or some version of white, perhaps you should not place as much emphasis on how the paint colors work directly on the brick, rather viewing them against other surfaces that do connect. As you have the samples now displayed, my humble opinion is one is too light and the other too dark, not giving the brick the best look (as it is now, it looks stunning in photos. Only you ( with the changing and dim lighting, as well as knowing all the surroundings) can make the best call, and I am sure you will.
ALL your choices for the fireplace area are just perfect! Definitely keep the wood burning fireplace! Such a soothing and popular gathering place for your family and friends. Hopefully, you do not live in an area that will need to move towards non-wood burning regulations, as we now have in southern California.
Hi Marion! I have the same old painting of Jenny Lind! and it will be the trademark piece of art that we hang in a Mercantile and Cafe that we are opening up on Pa which is known as The Jenny Lind House. She is rumored to have stayed in the house which we have been renovating while touring with BT Barnum in the 1850’s. I will send you a photo on Instagram messenger. I am curious as to what drew you to the painting that you have of her on your fireplace mantel? Love those andirons as well and everything else you do!
xoxo
Meg Veno
Meg, what a beautiful building you are going to treat the public too, I’m thrilled you are opening a mercantile and cafe. When will that happen? I plan on being one of your first customers. Best wishes!
I see that sweet boy. He said, I live here and I should be in all the glamour shots. I love your tools, more so, the stories that go with them. You are ginnin’ right along, on schedule as we all look forward to.
We have a wood pellet stove and it takes electricity to use it. At our other house we had a wood stove that heated the whole house if the power went out and you could boil water, warm food up etc. We really missed that after we moved. Now we have a generator at the ready but you have to choose what you want running. Of course it’s the pellet stove but you can’t cook on top of that. Whatever you choose, see if it takes electricity to run it and think about it. Ours needs it for the auger and fan so it’s not a great solution. There really is no heat like that of a real wood burning fireplace or stove.
There is nothing like a wood fire. My Dad built our limestone fireplace and the adjacent limestone bench. It was where I studied from seventh grade through high school. My mother said I had worn the limestone on the hearth smooth where my feet rested. I love the brass tools and andirons and look forward to seeing the andirons after you’ve polished them up.
Love the fireplace pictures and covet you and others who have a wood-burning fireplace – especially when it’s cold and frosty outside! I also would like to pitch the darker green as my vote. I love love love Sebastian in any and all pictures, as well as kitty! Both are picture purrrfect (couldn’t resist! :)) and turn a house into a home.
Happy New Year!
You need to make sure that you only use properly seasoned firewood; oak is one of the best to use. Pine (fatwood) can be used as kindling but you don’t want to use it or pine as the main wood you are burning. You also don’t ever want to use any wood that might be pressure treated. Pine cones dipped in wax make good firestarters.
Beautiful fireplace accessories. As for the color boards, the lighter green makes the all the colors in the brick look warm while the darker green color (although I love the color) makes the dark areas on the bricks look “dirty.”
One of my greatest childhood memories is gathering around my grandparents real wood-burning fireplace when the power went out during ice storms in South Carolina. There was nothing more comforting, and it gave our whole family a reason to gather together.
As a result, no gas burning fireplace will ever take the place of that natural wood burning crackle.
Sure it’s more work, but if your men of the house are like mine, they never grow out of playing with fire, lol!
Hi Marian,
Just like Mimi, I live in CA (central valley) Here the air quality control board is incredibly strict. If only I lived closer you could have had my classic fire-set which I donated yesterday.
If we want to use our woodburning fireplace to heat the house in a storm, i’ts slogging out in the rain and mud to the shed to get old wood that is not in pristine burning shape. So we are taking a CA rebate and going gas (propane) fired conversion to have a fire. It will heat without electricity which is the whole point of a fire anyhow thank goodness. I always said nothing beats a wood fire,but time and circumstances require adjustments. Enjoy the wood fire while you can. At least you have teenagers to haul wood for you!
(and Sebastian knows where the best spots are 😉
I always love going into Cracker Barrel restaurant on a cold winters day and being seated near the big roaring fireplace! With that being said, when we moved into our new home over 30 years ago, my husband had the brick masons’ pipe in for gas logs. We had a woodstove in our first home, and we were tired of the dealing with wood and the mess.
In 30 years, we never had a problem with the gas logs not working when the electricity and power was out. In fact, during a horrible ice storm in the late 90’s we slept by the fireplace one night. There are pros and cons of gas vs. wood but we have never regretted having gas logs.
Hi Marian! Here in Minnesota we are experiencing an “old fashioned winter.” The kind that I remember from my childhood with lots of snow and blizzard conditions. Now that I’m retired, I get up early every morning, put on the coffee and build a fire. I sit and read for a couple hours in front of the fire. Nothing warms you like a wood fire.
My husband was a chimney sweep for over 30 years so I know how important it is to have your chimney in good working condition. If you decide to keep the wood burning fireplace, you may want to invest in a top sealing damper. Read up on it. Make sure to learn how to properly start a wood fire, it will make a difference in how often you use it. Best wishes on your new home!
Love the fireplace accessories! Also loving …..
“I wouldn’t want Jeff using an old fence post or some other random piece of scrap wood as a poker.” — Kirk totally would do that! Jeff and Kirk must share some DNA down the line somewhere 😉
Haha, I was thrilled to see Sebastian photo bombing your post today. I love vintage brass fireplace tools and andirons. The room is really taking shape. I moved to a home that doesn’t have a fireplace when I retired, and I miss my fireplace most. My late husband and I used to have a fire nearly every night during the cool months.
Karen B.
I am always amazed how you find the perfect…. I know you work at it but you also must have a bit of special touch that helps. I for one would leave the patina on the andirons alone it is beautiful. I would expect the handling of the tools will catch up fast. Our 100+ old house had chimney issues so we opted for lining with a woodstove. Sad we cannot have real fires but being able to burn real wood during winter power outages is a game changer in livability of our house. Love all you do and cannot wait for more AFTER pictures of this new project.
I’m sure enjoying the journey of you creating a lovely new home. All your choices are beautiful!
I’m glad you left the color swatches up on the mantle in your photos! When you introduced your colors yesterday I liked the lighter green with the brick. But seeing both today further away I feel like the dark color is too dark and the lighter color is too light! Is there a medium tone green in your palette? The dark green does seem to be in your Jenny Lind painting on your mantel. Good luck with all your choices, I am certainly enjoying your home makeover process!
I have an old set of the andirons that look very much like yours. They needed polishing when a friend gave them to me, and they polished up beautifully. I am having gas logs installed next week, so sadly, I’ll have no use for the beautiful andirons. I’ll plan to list them on Marketplace to see if someone else would like to enjoy them.
Better move those wonderful white chairs….sadly, fireplaces without an insert are very inefficient and DIRTY…makes my heart sad. There is so much lovely romance to a fireplace…but I did grow weary of the mess. I smile at all the fireplace pictures with wood stacked as visual interest….where did they get all that beautiful bug free/barkfree/woodchip clean wood? An insert IS a bit of a gamechanger, a bit cleaner and MUCH warmer.
My great aunt Florence used to have a sizable portrait of the woman above your fireplace in her living room. Wasn’t she a opera singer?
It was at least 3 by 4 or 5. Big gold frame.
Yes, that is Jenny Lind and she was a singer. And yes, it is a popular print. I found mine in an antique store for around $70, if I remember right.
Love Sebastian! The fuzzy little head poking up next to the chair made me smile. We have a gas fireplace and while it’s very convenient and mess free, I really prefer a wood fire. There’s just something about burning sweet smelling wood.
Have you entertained painting the built-ins the darker green, Card Room? And the rest of the room the lighter color?
I vote the lighter grey green, but you do you! It will all come together AGAIN!
Just a vote for the deeper green. It looks lovely sitting up there! I suspect you might paint the back wall of the shelves beside the fireplace. The lighter green looks like a faded, weaker version of that lovely deep shade. I think it will make your things pop!
What a fine model Sebastian is in your beautiful new home. Don’t get one of those fake log sets that look like a pile of doggie doo. Keep with the wood fire while you can. I like the light green. I laugh as I see green showing up in a lot of homes. In 1989 I tried to buy a green couch. The sales gal told me nobody would buy green. I did get one special made but everyone else had blue back then. I like to think I lead the charge for green but it has been a lot of years ago.