Firescreen Rehab

The firescreen of my dreams was a curved piece of brushed nickle romance from Restoration Hardware with the tools hanging directly from the frame instead of on a rickety cat target shoved off to the side. I loved it. Truly. But with a $400 price tag, I knew we were star-crossed.

A year or so later, Target came up with a black iron hinged version that I was really okay with. We dated for a while, and after a respectable courtship, the end of the season markdown to $45 convinced me it was meant to be.

Come home with me. *Bats her eyelashes and opens her wallet*

 

The years passed, and well...

What's that, you say? Time for a new one?

You're new around here, aren't you?

 

First, let's get that screen back in the frame.

My specialty tool of choice for this was a butter knife. Then I gave it a bead of Goop adhesive, which is completely clear.

Remove the knobs and set them aside.

Clean everything really well. 

We used one can of primer and two cans of Rustoleum High Heat in matte black for the screen.

Give it a good coat of primer, paying special attention to any rust spots.

Get the screen too, making sure you give it light but full coverage.

While this is drying...

...hit the fire tools. Again, give the rusty spots extra love.

 

 If any of you spray painters have not spent the $2.50 on one of these guns, do so. You will thank me. You can see how well loved mine is.

Now for the fun part: spray your firescreen with the matte black high heat paint, using light coats and letting it dry in between. 

Then go a little crazy on the tool set and use aqua to really make it coordinate with your room. Why shouldn't it?

Drag it inside and listen to your oldest son exclaim, "Whoa, Mom, that's COOL!"

Put your cute little wave knobs back on.

Out on a limb? Slightly daring?

Maybe so, but we're in love again.