Love the new fireplace surround and mantel. Are they planning to add tile to it? I think it looks gorgeous as is.
The interior surround portion of the fireplace is just cement right now. We couldn’t save the original brick because a) installed so poorly they were crooked and uneven) and b) many of the bricks got damaged when we demolished the old 70s fake rock off the fireplace. Since the bricks were damaged and uneven, we applied a skim coat of cement to create an even surface for a tile installation.
I brought many tile samples for the owners to select from. One was regular white subway, river rock, pebbles, tiny glass mosaic and a subtle glass strip mosaic. They chose the glass strip mosaic and it is on order right now.
So is it going above and below, or all the way round?
If you see the photo, you will see cement below opening and above opening. We have to fill that all in with tile because we cannot put anything else close to the firebox. It might look strange with tile below the firebox, but we demolished out an odd hearth that was jutting out 10" above floor… with a lovely dust bunny area below it. I’m sure it is some kind of mid century architecture thing but it didn’t go with the house at all. We also need to replace a front row of fire brick (which was ordered through Amazon) to replace the outside row that was ruined in the demolition
It is going to look gorgeous with the tile above and below. Can’t wait to see it.
“…row of firebrick…”
Wow, now that goes straight in here and gets the top prize! 
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1908690-the-oddest-things-you-buy-on-amazon-p1.html
Believe it or not… searched all the local building supply stores and couldn’t find any in stock. Finally found them on Amazon. They arrived and are a strange bright white pumice stone weighing only a couple of ounces each. Normally they are tan color and a little heavier. The entire interior of the firebox is going to get painted with the Automotive HIgh Heat black spray paint.
I’m guessing they are more readily available on Internet now because people build their own firepits and, hopefully, are using the fire brick.
Fireplace looks wonderful!
Really, really nice job on that fireplace!
I’m hopeful that this thread is quiet right now because cb is negotiating on the chicken house.
Bock bock! (chicken noises)
Quiet right now because we finished the work on young couple’s house and we are not starting the exterior deck until next week. My carpenter ran off for a vacation to visit his girlfriend in Mexico and everyone else has week off.
No word on chicken house… listing agent has not even replied to my two voice mesages or email request for an update. So, the escrow is probably going to close at the end of the week. Cannot find anything else.
Something will come up!!
Maybe it’s time to build a new house on spec. 
That is, if there are any empty lots…
What about that place a bit down the hill from the last house? Wasn’t it coming on the market?
Damn. Keep nosing around, cb. There’s a gem out there for you. I just know it.
Rats. 
The vacant lot below the last project is up for sale at $850,000. The owner has plans drawn for a new house, but I don’t like the plans because I don’t feel they are building the house on the part of the lot that would capture the best views. It’s a 2 story, but with the building located on the front of the lot by the street. The lot slopes high on the back of the lot. I would build on the back of the lot to capture the northern coast and Mission Bay views.
I’m not really in a position to build from scratch. The endeavor would take a full year between drafting, structural engineering and permit process. Not to mention that the permit and fees required for a brand new build are very high and there’s a chance the new build would have to go through Coastal Commission permit process which will add a whole year to the timeline.
I agree, cb. It doesn’t sound like something with a quick enough turnaround.
New construction is a PIA.
Flip #7
Well, the listing agent finally called me. Not necessarily to give me an update on the chicken house but to tell me about a property that is going up for sale next week. He’s got an appointment to preview today at 3pm and there is a chance I can make an offer and get it before it goes on market. Seller is asking $1.35 million but it is in terrible condition and will not sell for that amount. But, it will be an issue on whether they are going to sit on the market for 60 days like the chicken house before they realize that it won’t sell or whether they will entertain lower offers now.
Cannot reveal address because I am sworn to secrecy. But it is a lot that goes between two streets with unobstructable views in the most desireable neighborhood (Sunset Cliffs). Slight mid century modern architecture. Has been rented to a bunch of male college students for about 8 years!!! Oh lordy… I’m sure we can all imagine what it looks like