This was a fun project and completely transformed the first floor of our house. It went from drab to FAB! My aunt and I took turns watching the baby and painting. Because let’s be real moms.. a project like this is impossible without extra hands!! All I used was a thick paint brush, cloth, white paint, and water! I mixed half water and half white paint and started. It took a little while to get the consistency just right but once I got it, it went quick. I brushed and wiped and brushed and wiped.. if the paint was looking to white, I just added water. Then, I left the mantle exactly the way it was and just painted it black. The contrast made the entire fireplace just pop. And of course I diffused DoTerra Purify essential oil to eliminate toxins from the air!