Prime and first paint coat.

Put up the crown molding. The board was torqued or warped and it was difficult, indeed, to mount. Add the baseboard and fill the nail holes.

Use cove molding in the boxes. I think we are channeling Frank Lloyd Wright.

Trim out the columns and install the mantel.

Set the columns.

Wayne cut the hold for the bookcase, removed the old pipes and boxed in the case. We put fireproof board over the firebox, taped and plastered the wall. Then we carried an 8' MDF board that weighs more than a Mac truck into the house. Cut a piece to mark the height of the mantel.

So the first thing is to create a huge hole in the wall when the old insert is removed. The new firebox is much larger. We've decided not to use the marble surround. Instead, we will build a new mantel and open up a space for a bookcase.