Not much of a project but I haven’t posted a blog here in a while. I’ve been doing projects, just not posting them.
Anyhow. I was sitting in this very seat, next to the Christmas tree, across from the tv, when I thought I needed a fireplace. Well, this is a rental, and there is no gas on the property, so I’d have to settle for something cheesy and electric.
I picked out this $200 thing from amazon but I didn’t want to just hang in on the wall. It would stick out 3”. And it’s a rental so I couldn’t just cut a hole in the wall
So I made this fake mantle from wood that was leftover in the shop. I have no construction pics because I am out of the blogging habit. But I started with a 4x4 piece of 3/4” plywood, cut a hole in it to match the size of the fireplace, then built a 2x4 frame behind it. Then built the footing around it, also 3/4” ply with 2x4 frame under. Slapped them together, then built up the top piece from a 2x10 board and a bunch of leftover trim to give it more of a 3D shape. Then filler and paint.
I picked out this $200 thing from amazon but I didn’t want to just hang in on the wall. It would stick out 3”. And it’s a rental so I couldn’t just cut a hole in the wall
So I made this fake mantle from wood that was leftover in the shop. I have no construction pics because I am out of the blogging habit. But I started with a 4x4 piece of 3/4” plywood, cut a hole in it to match the size of the fireplace, then built a 2x4 frame behind it. Then built the footing around it, also 3/4” ply with 2x4 frame under. Slapped them together, then built up the top piece from a 2x10 board and a bunch of leftover trim to give it more of a 3D shape. Then filler and paint.
No, your eyes do not deceive. It needs a bunch of coats of paint so I used some leftover tan for the first coat. Then two coats of white enamel to finish.
The whole thing is about 60 pounds and just leans against the wall. I can move it anywhere in a couple minutes.
I do actually think out dimensions and draw up plans first. This one I drew 3 times before I started cutting. I’ll try to remember to post a pic of the plans.
Whole thing took about 8 total hours of working time. And now I sit on the corner of the couch drinking coffee, watching tv and warming myself by the fire.
Oh yeah. I always draw up plans a few times to get a better idea of good dimensions that have good aesthetics. I have an old napkin holder full of these. Notice the scribble. These are the third and fourth tries.
