Welcome friends! Is anyone experiencing the challenge of having a dozen projects planned in their head?! That is ME! I have so many I think about and I get excited when I start each one! Today I want to show you how I upgraded my fireplace. Join me while I build a faux fireplace that is better proportioned and much more custom!
About three years ago, I purchased the fireplace I have now off Facebook Marketplace. I loved it- it was exactly what I was looking for at that time! I had not done the woodwork in this wall yet when I got it. The shiplap behind it and the board and batten around it came later. We also had a much smaller TV, making our current fireplace much more proportional. My husband insisted on hanging this monster size TV. Ugh! It threw off the entire look of this space and made the fireplace look dinky.
Step One: Get Your Measurements
For this step, I get my measurements on the wall first and then transfer the measurements onto paper. Painters tape is an excellent source for doing this! Painters tape can visibly bring the work to life in the space and it is easy to move around.
Once I have the painters tape where I like it, I draw the fireplace onto paper and document the measurements. My fireplace is going to be 59.5 inches wide. After I have the measurements figured out, I can make my list of materials that I need for the project. Then… let’s go shopping!
Step Two: Get Your Supplies
Here is the list of supplies I used to build a fireplace and mantle:
5- 2 x 4 x 8 boards
5- 2 x 2 x 8 boards
1- 1 x 6 x 8 common board
Construction screw
MDF shiplap boards
Corner trim pieces
Along with our materials, we need to grab our tools:
Miter saw
Kreg Jig
Circular saw
Nailing gun
Wood glue
Step Three: Build the Frame
Now that you have your materials, put on your favorite comfy work clothes, crack open that can of Diet Coke (my new favorite drink) and let’s get started! I build the frame first. It’s super cool because I get to use my Kreg Jig for a lot of this part! I use my driveway to visually see how the boards need to come together.
Moment of truth- checking to see if the frame is straight after screwing the boards together!
This is the face of the frame. I continue to build it out to make the whole frame. Without question, this part is the hardest. Making sure the boards are screwed together correctly- and straight- is challenging for someone who does not work with these tools every day. But…
Do you love it?! Once I have the whole frame built, I start getting super excited! I can see this fireplace coming together! You are on your way to build a fireplace!
Alright, let me explain some things. There is a 2 x 4 back brace across the back of the frame. This is how I will attach it to the wall. Surprisingly, this frame is stable and does not wobble. Whew! Now we are ready to build a fireplace!
Step Four: Wrap it in Shiplap
I am beyond excited for this part! But also it feels like a moment of truth. How will the shiplap look? Will it do on even across all sides? How will it look with the insert?
Friends, it is completely normal to have these feelings! DIY is about creating something from nothing, and projects cannot always be perfect. But also remember there is nothing you can do that cannot be fixed. You cannot screw up DIY because you can always do it again! So just put those questions to the back of your mind and keep going. You got this! Let’s build a fireplace!
White shiplap, check… attached with my nailing gun, check… insert in and FITS, check… we are on a roll, friends!
Interested in other cool building DIYs? I built a faux barndoor in an afternoon! Click here to see how you can do it too!
Step Five: Add Corner Pieces and Paint the Shiplap
It took three tries to add two corner pieces- I will take that as a success! Exact cuts are so important in order for the edges to look right. Next, we are ready for paint. I chose the color Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams. It is gorgeous! 🖤
I apply three coats of paint to the shiplap, careful to allow time for each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
You may wonder what I am doing with the wood on top. I will give you a hint- it’s the start of the mantle! This is explained in the next step!
Step Six: Build the Mantle
When I bought my materials, I was not at all sure how I would construct the mantle. I figured I would build everything first and worry about the mantle last. Well, that time has come! Lol!
(Do you see that brick off on the right side of the picture? I made it using joint compound and masking tape! It was super easy to create- and you can do it too! Click here to see the easy step by step tutorial to create faux brick!)
I used pine boards to build the mantle. I bought two identical boards, one for the bottom and one for the top. See the 2 x 4s between the boards? I use them as spacers and rest the top board on top of the spacers.
I nail a board across the front and it just LOOKS FABULOUS! The only thing left to do is figure out how to do the sides. At the last moment, I opt for something creative! I cut 1/2 inch dowels to size and glue them on to make the end boards. Pretty cool if I do say so myself! I love how it turned out!
Step Seven: Enjoy Your Fireplace!
This project, THIS project! I could not love it more! Honestly, it turned out far better than my original vision. That is the super cool thing about DIY. You have a vision. Your hands create the vision. And you fall in love!
So what is next, you might ask? Working with wood has become one of my favorite things. I envision some beautiful millwork in my kitchen. Maybe a wood vent hood? Oh, I like this idea! Stay tuned!
