Rockin'

I've spent a large portion of the last couple weeks working on laying rocks and grouting. This isn't the clearest picture, but it gets the idea across.

If you're wondering, the candlesticks were regular brass. I painted them with self-etching primer from Rustoleum (wrap the electric parts in masking tape first), then coated with matte black, and a coat of matte sealer. Later I dabbed them with a mixture of Americana acrylics in Bittersweet Chocolate and Fawn. I still have to work on the candles themselves, but I had to let the sticks dry for a couple days without touching them so all the paint wouldn't come off.

The wire that is hanging down in the firebox is from one of the candlesticks. It is now routed through the wall and taped down. To do the grouting and painting around the candlesticks, I left the wires loose through the hole so I could slide them in and out as I worked. By now, most of the interior walls are painted and sealed. I still need to seal and grout the base of the firebox before I can put the fireplace in permanently. As soon as it's glued in place I can add the side bricks before painting and sealing and grouting. After the grout is dry, I will cover the whole thing with matte sealer before I begin work on the second floor.