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how to faux mantel

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blue roof cabin guest post
DIY Faux Fireplace Mantel with plans 1


Hey there I’m Mimi and I blog over at Blue Roof Cabin. I am so thrilled to be here at My Re-Purposed Life to share one of my recent projects. I love to build and re-purpose discarded treasures so you know I love it here!

One of my favorite things to build are Faux Fireplace Mantels. Even though I already have one in my home and have no room for more I just keep making them.

decorative brackets to use on mantel 2
My latest inspiration came when I found two decorative Corbels while thrifting. They were a good size and I knew they would look great on a mantel. I decided to keep the design simple so that the Corbels would be the focal point.
Building a Faux Fireplace Mantel 3
 For the sides I used two 1 x 8 pine boards cut to 43 1/4″ long. I attached them to a 1 x 12 x 26″ board to make the basic frame. I used my Kreg jig to make pocket holes and glued and screwed them together.
How to build a faux Fireplace Mantel 4
 To give the sides some dimension I used 1 x 2’s and offset them so that 3/4″ would show on each side of the 1 x 8. I attached with glue and nailed from the backside.
Pocket Holes to build a Mantel 5
 Then I flipped it upside down and used glue and pocket holes to attach the top shelf.
Mantel base trim detail 6
 I used my chop saw to miter cut some beefy trim for the bottom. I attached it with glue and my nail gun.

 

IMG_0619-001 7
 Lastly I attached the Corbels with Liquid Nails and then screwed a couple screws through the back side just to make sure they held.
Faux Fireplace Mantel dimensions 8
 Here’s the final dimensions.
cleat to mount fireplace mantel 9
To attach to the wall I cut a 1 x 4 in half at a 45 degree angle with my table saw to make a french cleat. That way it only needs a couple screws to attach it to the wall. The nice thing about this Mantel is it is very light weight and with only two screw holes you could just use it for the Holidays and put it away for the summer if you want. (that’s crazy talk isn’t it, who would put their mantel away?)
Decorative Corbels 10
To finish my mantel I painted first with a slate gray then some white homemade chalk paint for the top coat. I lightly distressed the edges to reveal the gray underneath.
Mantel with Decorative Corbels 11
This one is all about the Corbels.
DIY Faux Fireplace Mantel Tutorial
If you want to see some more DIY Mantel plans check at these posts on my Blog, a Mantel From Pine Boards and DIY Mantel that is in my Living Room.
Thanks Gail for letting me stop by today!
Oh my gosh Mimi—Those corbels are awesome! So perfect for a faux mantel. I never ever come across any corbels….well that I can afford that is! Love the idea of storing the mantel  🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your DIY Faux Mantel today!

12 Comments

  1. Hi, what sort of finish would suggest on a simple mantel for bedroom that will be attached to a Pallet Wood Wall? Paint? More pallet wood? Any advice would be fantastic. Thank you for the instructions – just what I needed!

    1. What would you think about pallet wood with a little sealer on it to give it a shine? Or a slightly dark stain? Try it on a scrap piece first.
      I bet it’s going to look great whatever you do.
      Gail

  2. What do you put inside? I have a faux fireplace and want to put in a panel of faux brick but am having difficulty finding one to fit or I can trim to fit. I would appreciate your advice.
    Thank you,
    Elisa

    1. Elisa,

      I’m sorry-I don’t really have any advice since this is a guest post. I’ve never done a faux mantel. Have you tried looking on pinterest or a google image search?

      gail

  3. Mimi and Gail,
    I love the fireplace mantle. I especially liked the directions. If gave me inspiration to build my own mantle/ faux fireplace. I am a beginner put it turned out pretty well. Thanks for the inspiration. I plan on adding a ;ink to your blog on my blog because of the great instructions.
    Take Care
    Simmer Dougherty
    http://peacocksandpapertrees.blogspot.com

  4. Looks nice. I have suggested to my married daughter that her bedroom wall needs a faux mantel, I’m going to email her to look at yours. Maybe she will be inspired, or maybe I will make more work for her dad.

    Bliss

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