New Project -- Fireplace Phase

March 17

 This week we had the fireplace installed. 

It was so heavy that it was a struggle to get into the house.  Jim helped the three guys that came with it. 

Here it is ready to go in.

I left during the process so I didn't see all the hoses and ducts put in.  We had a duct put in to push hot air into the basement.  Jim installed the fans for that and for the main fireplace the next day. 

This morning we started a fire.  It promptly blackened the door so we couldn't see the fire, but a little fire goes a long way since the brick lining really holds the heat.  It is going to be a learning process to manage this fireplace so different than the one we had. 

I'm relaxing in front of it, knitting. 

As of today, March 29th --

The fireplace is enclosed in particle board. That was done a couple of weeks ago and last weekend, Jim put down the hearth stones and last night, he got the lights up. He had the wires ready several weeks ago, but after some trouble with breaking sheet rock with the 4" lights he wanted to use, we ordered the 

6" ones and had to wait a long time for them to come. They slid in their holes easily where the other ones didn't. Lorene was there on that day and sawed the holes, relieving Jim's aching arms. It's hard work  working with your arms over your head. 

Now that I think about it, the sawing part was Monday and the hooking up the electricity part was yesterday, because Lorene and the boys were here for a bit. 

Now, what will be next, carpet or stone?