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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Faux Fireplace Mantel Makeover

    Faux Fireplace Mantel Makeover

    Published by Gail | Published August 28, 2018 | Updated December 17, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Have you ever done a faux fireplace mantel makeover? I hadn’t. But my friend Leann found this awesome electric faux fireplace heater on the side of the road. She snapped a picture, and asked me if I wanted it. “Heck Yeah!” I said.

     

    Electric Faux Fireplace Makeover

    electric faux fireplace heater

    Yep, run of the mill electric faux fireplace heater. When I picked it up I left the guts behind. She was kind enough to dispose of it for me.

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    faux fireplaceThat was in late June. I’ve had it on my to-do list ever since, but it’s just been too hot. You may remember I took July off from working on projects. Now it’s August and we had some really nice weather so while I was tidying the woodshed I made sure that this electric heater fireplace mantel landed near the front so it could be my next project.

     

    diy chalky paint primer for diy book shelfI mixed up some diy chalky paint primer with some off white oops paint. I originally had a five gallon bucket, but it’s nearly gone now, so I have it stored in a kitty litter jug.

     

     

    Prepare Faux Fireplace Mantel for painting

    tape off faux fireplace mantel before paintingPainter’s tape was used to cover up the faux tile on the faux fireplace. Smile

    super finish max extra

    Painting the faux fireplace mantel was a breeze using my Super Finish Max Extra in my Homeright Spray shelter.

    remove painters tape from faux fireplace mantel

    It was so fun removing the painter’s tape to see how pretty the new (old)  faux fireplace mantel looks!

     

    How to add a Faux Firebox

    back side of faux fireplace mantel

    Initially I was going to put a back over the entire piece. However, after looking at some inspiration photos online I decided that a firebox would be more fun to decorate. I had ¾ inch plywood drop-offs that I buy for $1.28 each. Three pieces were ripped on the table saw to the correct width to fit the faux fireplace.

     

    mark for pocket holesWhile I had the new faux firebox in place, I marked it for pocket holes. I wanted to make sure I had the pocket holes in the proper place.

    Not Shown: I drilled the pocket holes with my Kreg Jig.

     

    attach fire box pieces with pocket hole screws

    Using a right angle clamp, a square and pocket hole screws I attached the left and right side to the top of the faux mantel firebox.

     

    back side of faux fireplace mantel

    I suppose I was having so much fun, that I forgot to take progress pics! Pocket holes were drilled to hold the top piece on, as well as three pocket holes at the bottom to secure the firebox to the faux fireplace.

     

    Fireplace Mantel Makeover

    painted faux fireplace mantel MyRepurposedLifeI painted the faux firebox by hand with a skinny roller before attaching it to the faux fireplace mantel. I’m so in love with how this faux fireplace makeover turned out! It was a difficult decision (as always) to choose a paint color. Gray paint was a close second for paint choices.

     

    faux fireplace makeover MyRepurposedLife

    The extra large chalkboard was done with Chalk Couture Chalkology Paste. It’s the one that is usually hanging behind me when I do my Facebook Lives indoors. The scrap pile candlesticks were made from bed and chair parts with a few random scraps.

    I suppose this baby will be headed to Glendale in October. Do you love it as much as I do?

    gailf

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    1. JULIE M MACDONALD

      February 16, 2021 at 1:29 am

      I have a faux fireplace that is Cherry wood with a shiny finish. I want to repurpose it and paint it. Do I need to sand the shine off of it? It’s classic looking but would like to change into a farmhouse look. Any ideas?
      Yours came out so nice I was inspired!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 16, 2021 at 8:46 am

        Julie,

        If it were me, I would lightly sand anyplace that is flat and easy to sand. Then I would use a deglosser such as TSP to really clean and wipe down the entire piece. When all is dry, I would use a good FLAT paint such as chalk paint or a DIY version (I make one with Plaster of Paris) You can see how I handle those type of finishes here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/tag/chalky-paint/

        Thanks so much for stopping by.

        gail

    2. Claudine

      August 29, 2018 at 11:15 am

      Ooo, I love this! It turned out beautiful. I bet it sells quickly at Glendale!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 29, 2018 at 6:12 pm

        Thank you Claudine! I hope to see you there again this year!

        gail

    3. Jennie

      August 28, 2018 at 9:25 am

      Two questions, did you sand it at all? For some reason it looks very short. It turned out really great love the candles in it and the chalk board on top. So what did you buy at vendors square (name might be wrong) before they closed?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 28, 2018 at 9:42 am

        Jennie,

        No, I didn't sand it. It's not short. It's nearly four feet tall. I forget the exact dimensions, but I was going to use a 4x4 sheet of plywood on the back before I decided to add the faux firebox. 🙂

        Vendors' Village? I bought a piano bench that is probably going up on the blog this Friday. It was more than my regular limit, but I just had to have it. I bought it the day I moved my stuff out of the building. I also bought a red vinyl cushion from my friend John. Not sure what I'll do with it yet.

        gail

    4. Terri HUghes

      August 28, 2018 at 8:57 am

      The faux fireplace turned out great.....I love it. And the candlesticks look so pretty inside of the fireplace. Very nice!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 28, 2018 at 9:43 am

        Thanks so much Terri! Have I ever told you that cousin Terry's middle name is the same as yours? 🙂

        Have a great week!
        gail

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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