Day 2 and the saga of the fireplace
December 19th we woke up in our new home. Neil went to work, Maddy was taken to her old school. And the unpackening began!
So.
Many.
Boxes.
December 20th we had the fireplace inspector come. One of the things we were so so so excited about was having a real, wood burning fireplace (and the other gas fireplace). The Friday we got our stockings hung up by the fireplace. Maddy was SO excited about Santa having a fireplace to go down. But Neil and I were really hoping for a Christmas fire.
He arrived, found out the age of our home and cautioned me. He was certain that we wouldn't meet code. To meet code the fireplace has to be fully lined with ceramic tiles. And that just was not done in 1923. We spoke about ways to get ceramic tile *IN* the chimney. He warned me there would be great cost. If anyone would even do that work... I did a bunch of google searches. I looked at companies. Our chimney sweep kept warning of cost. It wasn't looking good.
My heart broke... I called my mom and asked her to pick up some pillar candles to put in the fireplace mouth, for Christmas. It would have to do. But we still had the fireplace cleaned and maintenance done. And while I think the last pic in the previous post was a bit of a spoiler... but...
WE HAVE CERAMIC TILE.
Chimney sweep was shocked. it's either the oldest ceramic tile he's ever seen or someone spent a LOT about 50 years ago on this upgrade.
We had fire at Christmas! And many, many times since. Although our fireplace is small and shallow. So we have dainty little fires, where the wood nestled up against the back of the wall to prevent the main floor from being smoked out. But there is fire!
So.
Many.
Boxes.
(there was an equal sized pile n the other side of the room)
December 20th we had the fireplace inspector come. One of the things we were so so so excited about was having a real, wood burning fireplace (and the other gas fireplace). The Friday we got our stockings hung up by the fireplace. Maddy was SO excited about Santa having a fireplace to go down. But Neil and I were really hoping for a Christmas fire.
He arrived, found out the age of our home and cautioned me. He was certain that we wouldn't meet code. To meet code the fireplace has to be fully lined with ceramic tiles. And that just was not done in 1923. We spoke about ways to get ceramic tile *IN* the chimney. He warned me there would be great cost. If anyone would even do that work... I did a bunch of google searches. I looked at companies. Our chimney sweep kept warning of cost. It wasn't looking good.
My heart broke... I called my mom and asked her to pick up some pillar candles to put in the fireplace mouth, for Christmas. It would have to do. But we still had the fireplace cleaned and maintenance done. And while I think the last pic in the previous post was a bit of a spoiler... but...
WE HAVE CERAMIC TILE.
Chimney sweep was shocked. it's either the oldest ceramic tile he's ever seen or someone spent a LOT about 50 years ago on this upgrade.
We had fire at Christmas! And many, many times since. Although our fireplace is small and shallow. So we have dainty little fires, where the wood nestled up against the back of the wall to prevent the main floor from being smoked out. But there is fire!
(Those candles right there to the right? They are the ones that were meant to be in the fireplace! Although once bought, they were too pretty not to use. The smallest one isn't one of the fireplace ones but instead is the PRETTIEST SMELLING candle in the world - Frasier Fir by Thymes)
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