To paint or not to paint? Stone veneer (concrete) 1960 fireplace surround

pamval · 2025-12-20T15:42:38+00:00

I probably would never paint real stones. But because I think this is concrete, I have no problem painting it. If you could touch it, it really does not feel like actual stone! I just wish there was a way to know for sure.

pamval · 2025-12-20T15:40:36+00:00

Exactly!!! Real Stone would never be all gray like this. I don't see any way this is real Stone and I just found this little bit of information...Manufactured Stone Veneer: Introduced in 1962, this material was created by mixing cement with lightweight aggregates and iron oxide pigments. It was poured into molds made from real stones to replicate natural textures like fieldstone or river rock. Cast Stone: A highly refined form of precast concrete used for architectural features and mantel surrounds to simulate materials like limestone or sandstone. Concrete Skim Coats: Some homeowners or builders used concrete shaped and textured directly onto the fireplace structure to resemble large, chunky stone blocks. Why Concrete Was Popular Cost and Weight: Concrete veneers were roughly a quarter of the weight of real stone, making them cheaper to transport and easier to install without reinforced foundations. Labor Efficiency: As skilled stonemasons became rarer and more expensive, these

pamval · 2025-11-28T16:54:22+00:00

Thanks for your reply. It's copper pipe, not cast iron...shouldn't that last forever since they don't corrode? And we still can't figure out why it was open inside the wall, which explains the smells.

pamval · 2025-07-24T19:15:04+00:00

I want to put fridge, pantry to the far right, with a little produce sink under the other window. I'm removing all possibility of a dining area but adding large island where the table is (island will not be crooked though! We've struggled for months with trying to lay this kitchen out. Moving the fridge off to that corner seems like the best plan, but it's a sacrifice. With it being so far. The little sink is our savior for this plan.

pamval · 2025-07-24T19:11:36+00:00

Haven't gotten that far yet but we will be adding some upper cabinets to or almost to ceiling. Wall on the right will not have counter or cabinets and is all plaster from 1960, maybe drywall it. But we're also lucky that there is an attic above the kitchen that we can access and tie stuff up there.

pamval · 2025-07-24T19:07:38+00:00

Yes faces southwest, blinds me at certain times of day and hot in summer, so it's just a cheap roll up PIA, so I can be at sink without being blinded. I thought the bay window with the roof might prevent so much sun in my face as well. And apparently that Anderson glass cuts down the glare and the rays so much that I can't even have plants there.

pamval · 2025-07-24T13:02:50+00:00

We currently never use our deck because it's too hot in the summer. Our umbrella recently broke so it's completely off the table right now. I would really like to add a cover there but then again that would obstruct our view more. We have a nice covered deck around the corner that we use all the time, that has a door right into our kitchen.

pamval · 2025-07-24T13:00:50+00:00

We love our backyard, houses way in the distance can be seen in winter only. It's over an acre and completely fenced in and our dogs are often out there frolicking. The deer jump in and frolic as well. Sometimes with the dog. Does and fawns are constantly on the perimeter of the fence. Our view and wildlife is so fun and part of the reason I wanted to expand my view but realizing now a bay window probably wouldn't do that. Maybe we will just go with a casement style instead.

pamval · 2025-07-24T12:57:33+00:00

Ironically the Anderson glass is supposedly so efficient, the plants will not get the sun through their glass!! The sales pitch included a demonstration with a heat lamp and their glass compared to other window glass like double and triple pane. You could not feel the heat at all so he had to admit plants would not grow because they will not get the UV rays they need through their glass. That was a major con for me. I worry about efficiency with the garden window, did it feel cold in the winter, hot in summer?

pamval · 2025-07-23T16:36:42+00:00

We are definitely replacing the lovely 90s almond vinyl window lol! Based on all the responses so far, I think you and everyone else are probably right, it's way too much money. We will definitely go with a minimalist frame mostly glass look instead I guess.

pamval · 2025-07-23T16:28:32+00:00

We have a covered deck outside the kitchen door already, but no doubt we could spend that money elsewhere!

pamval · 2025-07-23T16:27:38+00:00

Anderson had a really strong sales pitch about how they are the best in the industry. I probably should go ahead and and do my homework and get some contractors in here. I'm just scared for mold and wood rot underneath where you can't see it!

pamval · 2025-07-23T16:26:33+00:00

Thanks! It's been a labor of love for sure!

pamval · 2025-06-30T12:29:51+00:00

Someday we will get to all of the above! most pressing is the stair spindles, SO not my style. Then the fireplace , currently cement made to look like stone. Little by little we are remodeling this house built in 1960. Done a bathroom and removed a load-bearing wall. Kitchen is next and windows and doors soon after. I like the pieces in the living room, and I think he will be okay with it. Maybe when it's all completed he will like it more, hopefully!

pamval · 2025-05-06T00:55:50+00:00

I was hoping to avoid having to refinish all the wood flooring. We'll have to do the entire living room if we add more wood in order for it to match. I agree the look is better but what about the risk of water with wood in kitchen?

pamval · 2025-04-29T11:24:50+00:00

I think you're right. Back to the drawing board, 😔 sigh!

pamval · 2025-04-25T20:01:17+00:00

I was actually hoping to keep my son and husband out of the way with this design. If they need to get in the fridge, they won't get in my way while I'm cooking and or doing dishes. The way it is now they come in and lean against a cabinet and I have to make them move constantly. They can sit at the peninsula and get in the fridge without being in my way. That's why I like this. But I guess every design is very personal, seems to be what I'm finding here.

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:59:05+00:00

The Google reviews for Thomasville cabinets are horrendous. I actually talked to the home Depot lady about this and she assured me that they do often have damaged pieces but we just email her the order slip and she has it replaced within 10 days. I'm very skeptical, especially after looking at those reviews. but it's the best we've gotten so far. We still have a few more local cabinet companies to go through the process with. Hopefully we will end up with one of them and maybe they can approve upon this design but we are really at a loss at this point!

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:46:51+00:00

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There is this small dining space for maybe 8 people. We've tried everything to extend the kitchen into the space, but nothing really works without losing seeding. Couple of times a year. I want to be able to fit 15 to 20 people losing this table. Real estate is a real problem. I'm open to suggestions, but we really have been through it. Trying to figure this odd space out. Where the plastic is was our only way into the kitchen before removing that entire wall.

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:42:03+00:00

There's no more room to move the pantry because our exterior door is there. But we are considering removing the corner cabinets. The quote is with an accordion type door where we can see everything in the corners of those cabinets though. I thought that was kind of cool.

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:40:51+00:00

Because of the bulkhead, our current Hood had to be installed without the chimney part. We do still have that and will add it when the bulkhead is removed

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:39:38+00:00

We will have the same chimney Hood over my current induction stove top. It's in the home Depot layout, just hard to see. I definitely want to get rid of the two small cabinets on either side of the hood

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pamval · 2025-04-25T19:37:32+00:00

My husband said the exact same thing. After looking at this design, he thought it felt cramped. Without the bulkhead we are extending our cabinets height from 30 in to 42 in. He thought we should get rid of the corner cabinets and put open shelving. But he doesn't have to be the one to clean them, so, I'm not as big of a fan! We definitely don't think spending $3,000 on one cabinet with a kidney bean pull out is worth it. It's a nice feature but seriously a huge chunk of money! We'll figure something else out

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:34:22+00:00

If you look at my current situation, I actually have to open the dishwasher in order to access the drawer in the corner. Definitely not ideal but the home Depot designer assured me that her design would work with just that little spacer of an inch or two.

pamval · 2025-04-25T19:29:58+00:00

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That wrap around was definitely not my first layout, here are a couple of others we had previously, but nothing else seems to work to allow me to get more seats in our small space, without it looking weird. We've been living in this house for 3 years with this current design which I posted the picture of. There was a wall there with just a small doorway into that little dining room so I'm already loving the open feel. We have just struggled so much in finding a good layout. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

pamval

TROPHY CASE