It all started when...

Sara (Shalls Design Studio) called Chris and said "I have a job for you."  Whoa nelly.  This steel fireplace surround looks simple but was very challenging to build.  The construction had to be precise because it sheathed a drywall frame which had different widths at top, middle & bottom.  Chris took different sizes of sheet metal and riveted them together in a patchwork design.  Originally we were going to do an acid finish, but the raw steel looked so great that the client and Sara preferred straight lacquer over raw steel.  We had to hoist the completed surround over the second floor balcony with ropes and pulleys to install.  Below is a picture taken during the build.