Vintage Fireplace Summer Covers

We have the greatest mantel in our living room from my husband's grandparents farm house. I think I might do a little sanding on it at some point--but that is for another blog...So the insert to the fireplace was something I searched for for MONTHS...I mean I searched long and hard...finally ended up here-http://www.urbanremainschicago.com  and found the cover of my dreams....If you are anywhere near Chicago you really need to check out Urban Remains..it really is the most unbelievable place.They have items they have salvaged from great vintage Chicago homes and old businesses..check out their website and look at some of the stuff!

Here is the summer cover I purchased from them.  So-last weekend my daughter calls me and tells me a friend of hers has moved and left some things behind and we were welcome to come and see if we wanted anything she left...My daughter said there was a shelf she knew I would love to redo and she wanted me to look at it....We go over to this house--a grand old Victorian and go up upstairs and then up another flight of stairs-very thin and VERY steep and this is what greets us at the top.....

 I was in shock-a wooden shelf top from a 70's style girls desk-with detailed wooden spindles.....and a cast iron fireplace summer cover...and a perfect completely intact floor heat register cover  with the trim piece...now I am in heaven!  These photos were taken at my house after my daughter and I (i was in heels and a business suit-left my office as soon as she told me we could look at this stuff) carried all of these from the 3rd floor attic-down the steep stairway and I was thrilled with each step I took!   This summer cover is to die for-the oval in the center is raised and the detail is so intricate.It will be worked into the fireplace it is resting against during it's makeover..and the heat register..that will be hung on a wall once my new wall covering (hopefully barn siding-another blog also) is up...The shelf I will redo and incorporate on a wall to display some white ironstone pieces....awww..these were GREAT finds and the price $0.00!! Can't beat that!