Hi! My husband and I just made a faux fireplace on our new loft. The top piece is sustainable salvaged maple from our local re-use shop. We cut it in half (going to make a coffee table out of the other piece) and stained it with a clear coat for protection.
Sent by Laura
The materials used for the fireplace were:
• Hardwood plywood for the main wood which we stained a few different colors
• The top piece is urban salvaged maple from our local re-use store
• Scrap wood for the base to attach the whole thing to
• Nails/Hammer
• Lots of wood glue!
The process was pretty simple, we ripped the plywood to 3 inches wide and lightly sanded it to get rid of the rough edges. This would be used for the face of the fireplace. We built it out 6 inches with some wood first nailed to the wall. Once the stained wood had dried, we randomly stacked the pieces applying wood glue in between each piece. Every so often we would hammer a nail into the little pieces to keep them neat and so they wouldn't be tempted to slide around while gluing. We also jerry-rigged a way to make sure it was staying upright while drying — with a shower curtain rod.
It was really a weekend project, mostly waiting for things to dry! The cutting part was probably the most difficult. You definitely need a table saw and maybe a chop saw. We borrowed both of these tools from friends. I would estimate we put about 8 hours total into this project.
We'd like to ask your readers what would look good over the fireplace in between the sconces? I am unsure what would look best — round? square? 2 pictures? a metal sculpture? I don't want something that's going to compete with the sconces. Thanks so much! Laura
Thanks for sharing, Laura!
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Looks Great! Very cool idea.
Very cool. Very innovative. As for above the mantel - a round mirror would look good. Maybe an ornate/gilt framed mirror - just to be cheeky (agains the modern fireplace and furnishings). Post follow-up photos!
My vote is for two delicate pictures side by side above the mantle.
I love this DIY. Great job guys!
What a cool idea! I do miss not having a fireplace, I may have to try this.
Wow, I would not think I'd enjoy a "faux fireplace", but I love it!
GREAT idea! I think this is super creative. Where did you get that sweet piece of live-edge maple? Is your 'local re-use store' here in NYC? Do tell!
I vote for a simple round mirror above the fire place. It will help add even more light to the area without overpowering the sconces. I love this idea. Great work!
really cool and original idea. good job.
So darn cute.
beautiful job!!
I am agog at what a good idea this is. Ingenious!
this is rad.
I like this a lot.
well done Laura!
Not my style but one of the most interesting and creative things I've seen on AT or, actually, anywhere this year. Wow.
I'd put a colorful, graphic piece of art above the faux fireplace and put a mirror behind the candles.
you might consider putting a piece of sheet metal on the underside of the opening...i'm worried about the combustability of the wood directly over those candles. other than that, really sweet idea and execution!
Out of curiosity: what was the grand total for this project?
If you painted the inside of the area where the candles are a darker color, it would look even more "fireplace-like". I think this is so creative and clever that I'm wondering if there is a place in our home for something similar!
Love it...I just saw a very similar faux fireplace at my local Anthropologie store, I never thought about trying it at home.
David, I'd relax about the combustabilty of the wood...they look like faux candles to me.
Awesome!
So creative...My vote is for a frameless beveled round mirror that simply adheres to the wall (easily found at Lowe's).
Respect. More photos, indeed!
Genius! Well done!
Hi! Glad everyone likes it! A few things:
the top piece is walnut, not maple.
The reuse center is in Ann Arbor MI but if you search online
you can probably find a local urban salvaged wood center.
The total cost was aprox. $150 including the wood,stains,glues. We used own paintbrushes and borrowed machinery.
They are real candles but we are going to line the inside with copper so it's not dangerous.
Thanks for all your suggestions!!
this is really cool, and has me thinking about what other things could be turned into/used to make a fireplace like this!
I am accessory shy, but I would like to see a mirror over your wonderful fireplace. But I dont know if it should be round or square. I would not like to see any pics seems to busy with the design of the fire place. YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB!
great idea... it looks real cool!
I've always loved the idea of fireplaces and all their potential... but it would just look downright ridiculous and pretentious to have one built in Panama!!!, though i've known of a couple of poeple who have them...
I really like this. I'm inspired to make one using driftwood 2 x 4's I find on the beach, all different lengths. I keep seeing them and wondering what to do with them. Now I know! I agree, the inside should be dark. But the copper liner is a nice idea, too.
I have a walnut live edge slab that would work well here...thanks for the inspiration! How did you finally finish off the decor above the mantle?
It adds a nice architectural detail. I am curious? Do you acutally use that space or is it just a nice space to look at when you go up the stairs. I think I would be too lazy to decorate a stair landing.