DIY Fireplace Surround

While designing our house, one of the things that got the axe was our fireplace. It was competing for wall space with the gazillion windows and French doors I had planned, and my husband didn’t want to hang the tv high over a fireplace. He didn’t ask for much, so I conceded.  All in all, it’s not a huge deal, but coming from a home with 3 fireplaces, I was suddenly longing for mantels to decorate. It got even worse at Christmas when I had no place to hang stockings.  And then last Christmas, my mom made these beautiful stockings at my request, and I knew they needed a special spot.  Enter these faux mantel plans from Ana White. I knew I could easily make one and give us a place for our Christmas decor, and I could make it movable so that I could move it when we took down our Christmas decorations. Truth be told, it’s been sitting there since last Christmas!

The one thing I struggled with was the hearth. I wanted to cover it up, because I didn’t want it to look too fake with a wall showing through, but then what could I cover it with so that it didn’t look too cheesy?;) I found lots of great ideas, such as a log insert. I still love the idea, but I wasn’t sure how well I could execute it. I then saw this herringbone design, and I loved the vibe it brought.  So in the center, I tacked on a piece of luan and painted it black so it would disappear behind any cracks/mistakes in the herringbone (details on that here!)

Dimensions

44″ w x 51″ h x 5 1/2″ d

Materials

2 4×4 @ 48″ – outer legs

1 2×4 @ 42 1/2″ – support under mantel

1 2×6 @ 46″ – mantel

2 2×4 @ 36 3/4″ – interior legs

2 1×2 @ 35 1/2″ – face

2 1×2 @ 8 1/4″ – face trim

1 1×12 @ 35 1/2″ – face trim

Piece of plywood (optional) ~ 30×38

Note: The 2×6 mantel is rather narrow.  I have since added a 2×8 on top of the 2×6.

Steps

To allow my piece to lay flush against the wall, I notched out the bottom of the 4×4 legs to allow room for my baseboard.  I then inset the face and 2×4 supports by 1/2″. If you do not wish to do to that, you may simply attach the 4×4 legs flush to the back of the piece.

1. Begin by trimming out the 1×12 face with the 1×2 trim. The trim should be flush to the outside edges of the 1×12.  Attach the 1x2s to the 1×12 with wood glue and nails through the back of the 1×12 into the 1x2s.
   
2. Flip the face upside down.  Attach the 2×4 interior legs to the face as shown below using pocket screws from the 1×12 into the 2×4.
   
3. Attach 4×4 legs to the outside of the interior legs.  Drill halfway into the 4×4 with a bit fitted to the screw head.  Drill the remaining way with a bit fitted for the screw shaft.  The interior legs and face are inset 1/2″ from the back of the 4×4 to allow for the baseboard.
   
4. Attach the 2×4 mantel support to the top of the piece using screws and glue.
   
5. Attach the 2×6 mantel to the 2×4 mantel support using screws and glue.
   
   
6. Attach the plywood to the back with nails and glue.

Note: The 2×6 mantel is not deep. I wanted to be sure it didn’t project out too much. I’ve since added a 2×8 on top of the 2×6 mantel.

Check out how I created the herringbone insert here!

-Marianne