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Stop the Draft!

January 22nd, 2010 in blog, member junk     
JunkArchitect Jim Healy, editor
84 users recommend
Old crusty cabinet pulls with original red paint.
After lots of masking and multiple coats of paint the checkerboard pattern is complete. Then it was heavily distressed. All the paints are low or no VOCs and leftover from other projects...didn’t have to buy a thing.
After the main pattern was complete, pin striping was painted at the perimeter for added detail.
The boards are mismatched scraps I found on the side of the road. They were joined together using wood biscuits and trimmed to fit within the dimensions of my fireplace opening. 
Bands of rusty steel were formed into legs to keep it from tipping forward.
No more draft!
Old crusty cabinet pulls with original red paint.

Old crusty cabinet pulls with original red paint.

Photo: Jim Healy JunkArchitect (copyright 2010)
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I decided to start out the New Year with a totally “green” project. It’s an insert for my fireplace that seals the opening from heat loss in the winter and hot air entering in the summer. In most homes even with the damper closed it's difficult to achieve an airtight seal. So in keeping with the “green” theme, everything incorporated in this Draft Stopper was either recycled, reclaimed or just a piece of junk.


Pattern or design used: My Own Design - Jim Healy JunkArchitect (copyright 2010)
posted in: blog, member junk, vintage, metal, wood, cottage, industrial, country, family room, furniture, living room, black, farm, bedroom, dining room, great room, red, historical, cream, game room
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Comments (42)

JunkArchitect writes: J.O.S. Send me an eamil and we can discuss the draft stopper. As you can see everything is custom built.

Thanks,
Jim
Posted: 12:32 pm on June 6th
just_old_stuff writes: I'm very interested in one of these, it turned out beautiful. Do you have a website?

B Posted: 8:30 pm on May 12th
Born_in_a_barn writes: love this Jim. Posted: 11:38 pm on April 22nd
carolinagram writes: So beautiful!!!! I love the colors!!!! Posted: 11:36 pm on January 31st
junkermidge writes: I love, love, love it!
Midge Posted: 9:21 pm on January 29th
SecondhandKris writes: One of my favoritest projects ever! Awesome job Posted: 11:34 am on January 28th
artchick writes: Wow!......Way cool Jim!!!!! Posted: 12:15 pm on January 27th
PastBlessings writes: Yummy! I love red and gold anyway . . . and especially when it is aged and chippy . . . I would love this in my home . . . if I had a fireplace! LOL! Thanks for sharing!

Brenda Posted: 11:14 am on January 27th
shabbychick writes: WOW! The colors/finish are just aged to vintage perfection!! What an awesome paint job! And what a great draft stopper - it's beautiful!

Thanks for sharing!

Kathy Posted: 7:08 pm on January 26th
Radiantsmiler writes: Oooh, so creative! Make me want to pull on those handles and move right in! Great job! Posted: 5:29 pm on January 26th
CottageElements writes: Nothing much left to say, Jimbo! You are a one of a kind junk artist. Amazing!

Lani Posted: 4:09 pm on January 25th
Junkpony writes: When I saw this post, I immediately thought "This has got to be one of Jim's" because of those beautiful saturated colors. I thought it was an old gameboard too - I don't know how you have the patience to do all the masking for that type of design, I sure wouldn't. I love the distressing... how did you do that, beat it with a chain?? (now that I could do) Another awesome project, great job! Posted: 2:38 pm on January 25th
writes: Nice work Mr. Jim. I especially love the paint job. You are one talented junk architect.

Jenny K Posted: 12:58 pm on January 25th
Junk_Newbie writes: Very impressive! Posted: 12:51 pm on January 25th
dresdenjunkshun writes: LOVE this! I think I need one of these. We have an old house with a metal grate and an old black plastic garbage bag behind it to stop the draft (and the bats:). Posted: 8:11 pm on January 24th
54girl writes: Very nice project! Love the color choices and the distressed look! Just an awesome job! Mary Posted: 5:02 pm on January 24th
SnowmanHill writes: Yeah! for being green. Awesome project, great color combo. I love the rusty bands.

dana Posted: 4:47 pm on January 24th
TreasuresRenewed writes: I just love how you have distressed the wood and paint. Posted: 9:55 am on January 24th
ninnarae writes: WOW...something so beautiful and functional, too- a true work of art- Thanks so much for sharing... Posted: 9:11 pm on January 23rd
fellowjunker writes: Wowzers Jim.......an absolutely amazing job on this piece. I CAN NOT believe the remarkable paint and aging job!
xojanis Posted: 6:49 pm on January 23rd
TroyRash writes: this is such a wonderful project - i would love one of these to just hang on the wall - love the colors ..

very nice..

troy
Posted: 12:05 pm on January 23rd
Grasshopper22 writes: I love the colours of the screen...it feels like I'm Alice in Wonderland. :)Great job! Posted: 8:22 am on January 23rd
LadyCatherine writes: Absolutely love this idea!! I use an old Carrom game board for a summer fireplace screen, but it isn't air tight. EXCELLENT IDEA!!! Posted: 6:35 am on January 23rd
clovergirl writes: Are you kidding me??? That is just killer - until I saw the raw wood I was thinking it was pretty much a found piece you tinkered with - just beautiful! Great attention to detail - the pinstriping made the piece in my mind! Posted: 8:51 pm on January 22nd
chippingcharm writes: Wow...another amazing post! And even better that you used all things you had on hand...awesome! Laurel Posted: 8:49 pm on January 22nd
artjunkie writes: How authentic. When do you have time to do all the things you do--and do so well? Incredible job.
rhonda, art junkie Posted: 8:09 pm on January 22nd
TinTinJunkFan writes: Wow I cannot say anything that hasn't already been said...except...what a great idea...I thought this was an old checkerboard! I have been looking for some kind of fireplace insert for my non-standard opening and was afraid I would have to have it custom made...now you have inspired me to try to make it instead. Posted: 6:08 pm on January 22nd
RichManJunkMan writes: This is right up there with your best work, and that is saying a lot. It's practical, and, a work of art. The paint job is just incredible. It looks like it's 80 years old! Top notch project. Posted: 6:04 pm on January 22nd
Heavenly_Treasures writes: JIM,
What a job you did with that project.Man you have been blessed with a true talent.That is awesome what you did and the colors are out of this world.It is great that some men have talent too. I'm very proud of you.GREAT,GREAT JOB.ROBERT. Posted: 5:07 pm on January 22nd
georgiamoon writes: JIM one question...How DO you DO what you DO????? I am always amazed at how well you can take the simplest items and turn out something that looks so meticulously painted and aged to perfection! You are a true artist and come up with the BEST stuff EVER. You are my HERO. I think I need to come out there and take some lessons from you. What do you think??? Georgia Posted: 2:52 pm on January 22nd
CleverThinker writes: I think this is great Jim! It looks so comfortable in front of that brick fireplace! Your ability to immerse the entire project in green is fantastic- now if we could just get the factories to do the same!

Your photos are awesome, but I'd like to see some more in the total room setting- I keep finding myself trying to look beyond the edge of the pic for what else is there!

Best,
Larry Posted: 2:45 pm on January 22nd
MakinItHappen writes: Fabulous! When I first saw this, I assumed it was an old game board. Very fine work. Posted: 2:30 pm on January 22nd
noahsgirl writes: Another ingenious project. I always look for your "junk" first and have NEVER been disappointed. While I'm here, I'll be in Minneapolis in May. Any suggestions as to where I should visit for good junk. Thanks. Posted: 2:24 pm on January 22nd
JUNKFORFUN writes: THIS VINTAGE DISTRESSING IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE LOOK AND YOU DO IT SO WELL! Posted: 1:26 pm on January 22nd
chicvintagetreasures writes: You are so talented! This looks amazing! What a nice addition to your home....and green to boot! Posted: 1:03 pm on January 22nd
racers7 writes: I love recycling, recyling, recycling....U DA BOMB! Melody Posted: 12:27 pm on January 22nd
DesignTurnpike writes: Your finishing technique, bold colors and sense of design make your projects my favorite on the site. Great job again. Posted: 10:42 am on January 22nd
itsnotjunk2me writes: Oh my goodness...my mouth is hanging open in awe and I am speechless! I LOVE this!

My hubby made a wooden screen/draft stopper a few years ago for our old, drafty fireplace and it has sat (much to my dismay) unpainted. I knew I wanted to paint it but just couldn't come up with the perfect design.(I am so visual that it is sometimes a hindrance) I never thought of a checkerboard style- hich would fit so well with our decor! So now I am off to create my own checkerboard design for my poor neglected screen using the red paint from our walls! THANK YOU for the inspiration and the vision!

Love the "green" project too-use only zero VOC paints now.
~judi ;) Posted: 10:22 am on January 22nd
alicemom writes: OK Now this could be your new "green" career. You could come to my house and start the hunt. It could be a TV series. Sue has the name Lean, Green, Junking Machine! OK I know I am disillusional....but you are the bomb!
Great job!
smiles, alice Posted: 10:16 am on January 22nd
RustyDiva writes: Great idea ~ love the colors! Posted: 9:58 am on January 22nd
oldnews writes: Amazing, amazing, amazing! The paint job is so cool, and must have taken hours and hours...you are such an artist. As always Jim, it's absolutely wonderful! Next to the copper table, this is my favorite! (Ha! for now!!) Marie Posted: 9:53 am on January 22nd
suewhitney writes: You are one lean, green, junking machine, Jimbo! This is awesome. love!!

Be Well,
Sue Posted: 9:51 am on January 22nd
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