DIY: Fireplace Mantel

Once upon a time, our old house was equipped with a gas fireplace (possibly double sided). Somewhere along the way, one owner decided that a Wall Heater would serve the needs of his family best. So, he removed the fireplace and replaced it with a wall heater and added a second wall heater in the hallway.

Now, as the owners of this house, we have decided to remove the wall heaters and add an electric fireplace (restoring what used to be). Early this year we purchased a Wall Mount Electric Fireplace and we decided to build a Mantel around it. So, after much procrastination, we decided to buy the necessary supplies to start building. That was on Friday. Yesterday, I started cutting and putting the pieces together. Today, I filled in the holes and cracks with plaster and sanded it down in preparation for painting. They are still a couple more minor things to do before it’s finished; however, you can see what it will look like from the picture below.

*Vintage Wall Sconce Corbel & Raw Maple Corbel.*

The White Vintage Wall Scone was purchased a couple of months ago in Downtown Pomona, at the Pomona Antique Mart. The Raw Maple Corbel was from Lowe’s. Though we love each pair of sconce equally, the Vintage Sconce stood out the most and complimented the Fireplace beautifully.

Materials/Tools Needed:

Wire Brush
Screwdriver
Tape Measure
Chop Saw
Router & Bits
Paintbrush, Tape, Paint or Spray Paint for the Mantel
Plaster
Stud Finder
Drill, Drill-bits and Wood Screws
Clamps (for holding the wood in place)
Hammer
Level
Black heat-resistant paint for the firebox
Sandpaper
Wood Glue
Wood Filler
Ornamental door Molding
Wall Sconce Corbel

Step by step:

The two sides have shelves to hold DVDs and CDs measuring 8 inches wide by 11 inches deep and 34 inches high. The opening is 32 inches wide by 26 inches tall. overall it stands 60 inches wide, over 12 inches deep and about 36 inches tall.