Campagne Maison

The Medallion Part II


The fireplace surround was cut freehand out of MDF. No fancy router cuts or finished edges, just plain and simple but curvy, just like I requested. The DH actually started the project while we were still living in AR and brought it to the farm for assembly during one of our work weeks. It only took a few minor adjustments, which is unusual as nothing in the farmhouse is plumb or level.

I made the insert for the Medallion using a white craft foam sheet. Then I painted on the initial and glued it inside the frame. After giving the entire piece a couple of coats of paint, I hung it smack dab in the center of the surround. I chose to hang the frame UPSIDE down because I wanted the point on the top to be at the bottom—like I said--a woman’s prerogative!

The mantle was fashioned from a shelf board that was taken from the old garage/storage building that had to be demolished. It is a solid piece of oak that was milled on sight, and like the lumber in the rest of the house, the saw blade marks are still visible. I painted it black and then applied a Flekstone paint finish that resembles granite. Then I applied three coats of aggregate sealer for protection as well as for shine.

I just recently added the fluted trim and the bulls-eye accents to give a little more substance to the surround. It is painted Woolen White and generously glazed with Behr Pearlescent White Opal decorative paint. That stuff is wonderful! It gives the wood a translucent luster that changes colors with the direction of the light—just like a pearl—just like I had envisioned—just like I wanted.

I usually try to give the approximate cost of each project but I am not really sure about this one. I have forgotten the cost of the MDF. I think it was around $ 25.00. The pearlescent paint cost around $ 20.00, the Flekstone paint is around $ 12.00, the picture frame was $ 3.00 and the other items were leftovers from other projects. My guess is it totaled around $ 60.00.

I consider this project finished but the DH says it ain’t finished until his 42” flat-screen television is hanging on the wall above it. Hummmmmmmmm…that WAS the deal.

Please leave a comment so I will know you stopped by the farmhouse to visit today. We love having company.

Au revoir,