What happy luck: The design plans for our barn fireplace were just going into motion right around the time Studio McGee launched its collaboration with Ann Sacks. As someone who was looking for quality, traditional tile to adorn our fireplace and already a fan of McGee and Co.’s home decor line, this made choosing tile fairly simple.
The Design
In January of 2024 I headed north two hours to Edina, Minnesota to meet with Ruth at Ann Sacks. I had already done plenty of browsing to see all the different variations and colorways on the Studio McGee line of tile, and I was anxious to see it all in person.
After perusing their beautiful showroom and pulling many samples to put different variations together, we landed on using the Canyon Lake 2×6″ tile in Antique White for the face of the fireplace and the Willow Heights Brynn Mosaic marble for the hearth. This beautiful tile, paired with a herringbone firebox, classic white oak floors, and gold finishes was the exact modern traditional style I wanted to achieve.
But wait until I tell you about the mantle.
In 2020, it was decided that the barn on one of our family farms was beyond repair and needed to come down. I believe most rural midwesterners would agree that any time a barn must be taken down from a farm, it’s a sad day as a barn is what helps define a quintessential rural farm. This barn was no different, as the cement floors, proudly stamped by a prior generations hard working hands, is slowly broken down and removed and the beams overhead that once kept shelter over stacks of hay hoisted in the heat by hay trollies is taken down, load by load.
Fortunately, we were able to save the hay mow trolley, as well as some beautiful beams that are nearly 100 years old. One of these beams was cleaned up and refinished to use on the mantle place in the new barn, paying homage to one of the familial barns before it. I love the contrast of color it brings to the white oak, and think the raw edge tells a story in itself.
Above the mantle we have the Samsung Frame TV, that as of today is 44% off. A simple mix of antique and new decor bedecks the mantle, and an antique iron candle holder stands guard in front. The Frame TV art and the mantle decor may shift over time, but I’m so happy with the foundation of this fireplace and not only the physical warmth it brings to the room, but the added nostalgic warmth of memories past.
