Early

Back in early 2006 the "north parlor" in our house looked like this.

This is the fireplace in what we call the "North Parlor." The painting is done on board and we think it's a charming piece of folk art. She's rather out of proportion with tiny hands and feet holding a very tiny kitten when compared to the size of her head.

The piece on the mantle was purchased from Acanthus Antiques in Grand Rapids. It's actually the top part of a door surround - it came with the side pieces, too.

It's hard to date the actual fireplace - is it original, or not? Either way, at some point in its history it has been propped up in the basement. The wood floor was reinforced, and a concrete "wall" was poured to hold it all up.