A Rolling Black Fog
Well that was interesting! Yesterday we looked a bit closer at the chimney. During the recent visit of the chimney guy, he wanted to check out the condition of the fireplace to see how it would play into the job of tuckpointing and relining the chimney. Unfortunately, he couldn't check it out because it is paneled over.
So of course, being self-starters we took it upon ourselves to check it out on our own. This was a decision we would come to regret.
So, one by one the pieces of tongue-in-groove paneling came off. So far, so good!
Hmmm, the brick face is all ripped away. That's a shame.
But hey, the brick work IN the hearth is still in good shape. Actually, it's gorgeous. I wish the exterior looked that good!
Hmm, so what's up there? I wonder if the flu still works. They couldn't have filled in the whole thing with cement or something, could they? (Well, yeah, I actually could imagine them doing that...) Nah, it just looks like a few pieces of wood up there.
There, got it. Wait a minute...what's that black stuff coming at us!? Oh no, stop it!!! Stick something up there! What? I don't know, make it stop! How? Is it just going to keep coming!? You can't even see through it. Where did Jeannie's feet go!!?? Turn on the window fan!!
Three hours of cleaning later and everything was back to normal (as least as normal as it will ever be for now).
Just another day at the House in Progress...
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Comments
What fun adventures you have! Imagine a house with the fireplace panelled over. My neighbors had the square stain glass windows panelled right over, they just recently exposed their beauty. What crazy days were those 70's? Was paneling free? You'd think it was by the sheer amount that people put up in these old houses. We had oak doors completely panelled over and our bathroom is fake walnut from floor to ceiling, and the vanity is basically made out of walnut paneling.
Posted by: Lauren | May 18, 2004 7:56 PM
We are enjoying (is that a proper word for your project)the many interesting stories about your Chicago Bungalow. YOu have a wonderful attitude and I believe that you will have a lifetome of stories to tell. Hang in there. It willbe worth it!
Elaine Labuz - mother of Lisa
Posted by: Elaine Labuz | May 18, 2004 9:03 PM
ohmigosh! it's Lisa's MOM! Hi Lisa's mom! You must be very cool to have a daughter like Lisa.
Posted by: jm | May 18, 2004 10:22 PM
And Lauren...this rocked our world, because the wood paneling over the fireplace? From the 1940's. Nutty eh? Very progressive. This paneling was the inspiration for 70's paneling everywhere...in the 40's, they made it from tongue and groove hickory wood. SERIOUSLY nice wood. The 70's? Not so nice.
I'm not sure why pulling the front of the brick fireplace OFF was necessary. Especially because it could not have been easy. It looks like something chewed the face of it off, which is sad, because we've seen others in the neighborhood and they are quite nice. We will probably do something with tile and a wood mantle when we put the bookcases and windows back, versus rebrick it. It would like a horrible puzzle nightmare to try to fit all the little brick pieces back together since it isn't uniform.
Posted by: jm | May 18, 2004 10:26 PM
Hallo friends! Really nice place here. I found a lot of interesting stuff all around. Just what I was looking for. Great joy!
Posted by: Sofia Loreen | September 3, 2004 3:23 AM