It’s been a while, I’m sorry. But I’m sure you understand. We’re trying to crack on with some work in our own little home before Christmas, and I thought you might like to see what we’ve done ready for Santa’s arrival.
A new fireplace! Well, it’s going to be our first Christmas here, so we felt he deserved to arrive in style.
Remember this monstrosity back in January 2013…the flat wasn’t even ours at this point.
Then we were gifted this gorgeous cast iron fireplace.
Sadly, the measurements didn’t quite work with our house and the chimney breast. But then, as if it was meant to be, we came across another one in an antique shop and Big Man got to work. He removed the old one, measured up …
Then the chimney was swept…
And now it’s ready!
Come on Santa, we’re ready for you.
Chica Andaluza 
Gorgeous! Merry Christmas to you both 🙂
And the same to you!
We think it is wonderfull, Danny says can he be Santa, lol. xxxx
He’s welcome to pop down our chimney any time!
Lovely! Just hang your stockings, and head for bed!
Oh yes, the stockings!
It is absolutely gorgeous! All ready for the stockings to be hung with care. Merry Christmas!
We’re so pleased with it!
As you should be!
🙂
I think your new one is the nicest 😉
I couldn’t help thinking that the previous inhabitants had painted their fireplace and surround in Father Christmas colours!
I’m convinced it was meant to be “living” in our house! I think the previous inhabitants were colour blond as we had purple, turquoise, orange and chocolate brown walls…eek 😦
It sounds like Van Gogh was testing his palette 😉
It was definitely in his mad phase!
I hope he finds you!
I’ve sent a change of address letter to him!
It looks lovely – and somebody has done an excellent polishing job!!!! Could you send this ‘miracle worker’ over to my house?? Have a wonderful Christmas and may the warmth in the new fireplace warm all your hearts, too. Carina 🙂
Ah, what lovely good wishes! The polishing was a labour of love but worth it 🙂 All good wishes to you too!
It’ll look great with a stocking or two hung 🙂 Have a lovely time!
The stockings are waiting to be put out on Christmas Eve!
The fireplace is stunning…you two have done such a lovely job with the house.
Thank you Karen – we’re getting there slowly!
Oh my goodness tanya, that is just beautiful, so ornate and yet so cosy.. Have you go some wood in? And a rocking chair? Wow.. c
I have the wood but no rocking chair…will have to ask Santa!
Tell me about that santa, i want a moving chicken coop for the layers, when you find him give me his number!! c
I’m on the case…hope you’re feeling a bit better (and keeping warm!)
Beautiful fireplace Tanya! We don’t have a ‘real’ fire any more so I can’t send Santa my wish list up the chimney like I did as a child (but I let the Management know if there is anything I really think Santa needs to be appraised of…)
I find that dropping heavy hints and leaving a list lying around often helps 😉
I am PURPLE with jealousy over that gorgeousness!!! Where do you guys come up with these wonderful things?!!! It’s at times like this that I feel decidedly twitchy about having to live in a country with only 200 years of colonised heritage where “stuff” abounds…but then I remember how I can go to the beach tomorrow…I can sit out on the deck with a glass of red and my feet up and the sunshine wafting its gorgeousness over me and you know what? I can pinch that lovely picture of your gorgeous new FANTASTIC fireplace and put it on my desktop. It might not be much, but it goes part of the way towards salving that jealousy ;). Have a great Christmas. You guys are the BOMB at renovating. If I was a rich bollocks living in the U.K. I would have the Andaluza crew doing my reno’s de rigeur :). By the way…remember not to light the fire on Christmas Eve…Santa might be a miracle man but I am not entirely sure he has fireproof pants…the more I look at them, the more they look like that parachute silk polyester stuff you get and have you SEEN how that stuff goes up when it lights?!!! A bare bummed Santa howling to the moon might be the stuff that Boxing Day editors dream of but might not be in your best interests come next Christmas and you are on Santas black list 😉
Am howling with laughter at the image of a bare bummed Santa calling for an ambulance on Christmas Eve. If you were here or we were there we’d happily work on the renovation crew. The only provisos would be that we use as much recycled stuff as poss (no prob there methinks as we share the same mindset about that), and that we laughed, ate and drank together! Bexhill is a scrimpers heaven as there is a large ageing population and loads of charity, junk and antique shops (full of stuff from their house clearances when they depart this world). Apart from the white goods, the beds, the kitchen and bathroom (and even then the taps were second hand!) everything is second hand and we’re proud of it!
I love that you guys use recycled, reloved stuff with stories attached. Forget about the savings for a moment, the fact that you stopped some of this gorgeousness from going to landfill is reason alone to not be (too) envious of you…gotta say though, I would KILL for that fireplace! 😉
Well…maybe I was the assassin of Bexhill in order to get hold of it….(evil laugh). No…I paid honest cash for it but it was indeed a bargain!
Such a beautiful fireplace Chica – you must be looking forward to many an evening relaxing and warming yourselves in front of it!
It was the perfect time of year to get it completed!
Perfect for the real Big Man to come down on Christmas Eve! 🙂
Precisely! We’re ready for him 🙂
That is one elegant and stylish fireplace! You must be so pleased and it did get ready just in time for an open fire and some mulled wine in front of it! Hmm – just a wee worry: I do hope Santa has been on a healthy diet thru’ the year and lost some, hmm, girth 🙂 ? Do hope it will be a happy Yule for you and that weather will allow you to put your nose outside also to look for Rudolph!!!
Thank you Eha – we both loved it when we saw it and it was an almost perfect fit for the spot we had. Luckily Santa is magical and can fit through tight spaces 😉
Wowsers! What a terrific fireplace – certainly a stylish Christmas is ahead!
I will take some inspiration from your post!
Ahh, thank you! Please post pics!
Beautifully done, Tanya. That fireplace is gorgeous! You’ve done a great job with the floor, too. I can almost see the flames reflected on it late Christmas night. How nice will that be.
I can’t wait – and Big Man has been in Spain for 10 days so hasn’t seen it working yet. He gets back tomorrow so will see the flat decorated and ready for Christmas and the fire burning 🙂
Oh my goodness….just gorgeous Tanya!! Santa may want t stay at sit by that fireplace for awhile as I know I would!!! Happy Holidays!!!
You would both be most welcome!
It’s a *dream*! Gorgeous. Hurray!
Thank you – we’re enjoying the dream!
Did Bert sweep it? is that the guy’s name from Mary Poppins. Big Man is quite handy, isn’t he. Looks great. Don’t forget to put your stockings out! Happy holidays to you and your family.
No, it was Adam, but he did have a young lad with him who I half hoped he’d send up the chimney!
That is really one of the most stunning fireplaces and mantles that I have seen, Chica. And I’m so happy that you have your fireplace in time for Santa’s arrival…very important. 🙂
Ah, thanks! We’re sitting in front of the fire right now 🙂
Great work and stunning result! It’s just beautiful.
Thank you so much!