Some Things You Just Can't Take Back

My fireplace and I have had a very tense relationship.  And by "relationship" I'm referring to the cowboy-like showdown we've been involved in where [insert cowboy showdown whistle song here] I pace the room with my hands on my hips giving it the stink-eye and it just stands there in all its soot-stained, dark brown/red/black light-sucking badness mocking me.

So, after MUCH debate (mostly between me, myself, and I - J does not suffer from decorators paralysis like I do) , we took drastic measures knowing that once started, there is NO GOING BACK!!!!  I've never been so nervous....

HA!  Take That!

And That!

Final results of Primer Coat

I'm not gonna lie...I'm still a little nervous...but I'm hopeful that with the right color top coat, a new mantle and/or fireplace surround, and some decorations I will be victorious.  If all else fails there's always dynamite, right :)