After a year of interviewing fireplace companies, we finally nailed a contract.
Since cold air blows through this wood burning fireplace every winter, despite closing the flue, my hubby has sealed it the best he could which helps, but it’s still freezing down here!
COMPANY 1
Before we eloped, he took me to a home show in Northern Virginia where we talked to a fireplace company that assured us they could easily insert a gas burning fireplace into our existing wood burning one, since we have gas in the house.
When a rep arrived from the company, he pushed the most expensive model on us, so we queried other companies that our bathroom contractor recommended.
By then we eloped and quickly became busy with many hot ticket items that popped up.
COMPANY 2
As life settled down around autumn, a rep from the second company arrived to assess the fireplace, and we were quite impressed.
While trying to order the product on-line, the measuring was left to us, which we willingly did.
However, the website was excessively difficult to use and communicating my email never ending, that I started to see red flags.
THIRD COMPANY THE CHARM
In December, we drove to company number three, whom we hired, Bromwells in Falls Church, Virginia, which thoroughly explained the amazing benefits of a gas insert fireplace. (check the link for their details)
Their show room was full of displays where we were given a tour and every question was answered.
Good news/bad news…their schedule was full, so a rep couldn’t come out to measure until January.
The bad news for us was that we’d have to wait, which meant we’d have to endure another freezing winter in this room.
However the good news was that they are such a great company, they get a lot of customers.
In fact, they were busy both times we visited their showroom.
Furthermore, they do the measuring and our order was done in person, not online!
When the rep arrived, we pulled away the cover so he could take measurements.
FUTURE SEWING ROOM
Meanwhile I took these photos of my sewing room, which is a huge work in progress.
In that niche, I want to build a floating sewing table and have a pot light installed.
Meanwhile my hubby told me to look for a large sewing table for cutting fabric, so I think I found something pretty cool!
Also, we need to put storage shelves on the empty wall between the bookcases and the fireplace for my fabrics and patterns.
NEW FIREPLACE
On another day, a contractor certified in gas extended our current gas line so we could access it for gas.
I was really impressed with his work.
Meanwhile a bespoke gas fireplace insert was being built for our wood fireplace.
Finally, it was insalled today, at the start of spring!
Oh well, at least we’ll be ready next winter!
After the install, he taught me how it worked with the remote control.
It has a glass front so its completely and safely sealed.
I even gained a new electrical outlet from the project!
Now to tackle the rest of the sewing room!
