Opinions?

This is our (not so) beautiful fireplace.

It is, indeed, still decorated for Valentines Day.

I haven't bothered taking anything down because we're planning on some pretty major renovations this weekend.

We're getting laminate wood floors. 

Hopefully sooner rather than later, we're going to be renting this house out and we decided laminate was the way to go.

And while I'm in the renovating mindset, I just can't stop staring at this fireplace and trying to decide what I can do to make it look better without creating another humongous project that will take up way too much time and money.

So of course my mind thinks paint.

My sister and a friend who are both great decorators told me long ago to just paint it white.

That scared me.

I'd seen brick fireplaces painted white, but on this weird 70's concrete stone stuff?

But with any other alternative seeming way too overwhelming, I'm starting to consider it. 

I'm thinking maybe painting the walls to the side of it a nice, pastel color (don't know which color yet..), and maybe just putting up some Ikea shelves on each side...

Oh, and of course, ripping off that nasty brass contraption.

The only thing I really do like about the fireplace is the wooden mantle. I hate painting beautiful wood things white, but I guess I would do that, too?

Help!

I am TERRIBLE at envisioning things beforehand.

Not a talent.

So I need your opinion, what do you think of that plan?
Maybe I should leave it alone and just get rid of Mr. Brassy Pants? Man that thing is ugly.

Anyway, I would love to hear what you think! Be honest!

This is what you get...

...when you decide to take pictures of a super sleepy 6-month-old.

That's right, as of today, Kyle is SIX months old!

I think he's coming down with something, and he might have some teeth moving up, too, because today definitely hasn't been his day.

And since rough baby days are usually rough mommy days, I wasn't really feeling up to the whole picture thing. But I summoned up the strength to pull my kids outside in whatever they happened to be wearing and get some photos of Kyle on his half-year birthday with his big sis and bro!

As a reward for my diligence, I got some real winners. You can see for yourself:

Got this gem while I was trying to figure out how to get the camera in focus.

Still blurry. Missing out on some real golden shots.

 I put the darn thing on Auto, and after about 20 crummy shots, Makenzie was starting to get hysterical about how this whole thing was panning out.

 She wanted to see the poor sleepy grump-face. Look how cute Jarom is being! Dang it!

 I actually like this one. Jarom is such a cute big brother.

 And grumpy or not, she still loves him to pieces.

 And pieces.

 Thank you, Makenzie. She really tried.

At last! I finally got him to smile. Look at that face!

Funny.

Not too bad.

Aw, love those kids.

And just when I thought it might start to work out, we were done.

Hope you enjoyed!