AFTER: A DIY Faux Fireplace.
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.
view modernguy's profile
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!
view tara1979's profile
My vote is for two delicate pictures side by side above the mantle.
I love this DIY. Great job guys!
view MODERnestS's profile
What a cool idea! I do miss not having a fireplace, I may have to try this.
view blondblogger's profile
Wow, I would not think I'd enjoy a "faux fireplace", but I love it!
view everythingistaken's profile
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!
view swizz's profile
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!
view tirzhaz's profile
really cool and original idea. good job.
view art's profile
So darn cute.
view sally305's profile
beautiful job!!
view mkw's profile
I am agog at what a good idea this is. Ingenious!
view CallDoctorBison's profile
this is rad.
view lipstickonyourteeth's profile
I like this a lot.
view aj's profile
well done Laura!
view sousa609's profile
Not my style but one of the most interesting and creative things I've seen on AT or, actually, anywhere this year. Wow.
view Jen C's profile
I'd put a colorful, graphic piece of art above the faux fireplace and put a mirror behind the candles.
view slowdown's profile
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!
view davidsl's profile
Out of curiosity: what was the grand total for this project?
view nick0326's profile
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!
view fjorlief's profile
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.
view trixxie's profile
Awesome!
view spaceystacey's profile
So creative...My vote is for a frameless beveled round mirror that simply adheres to the wall (easily found at Lowe's).
view muirwoods08's profile
Respect. More photos, indeed!
view JoJenks's profile
Genius! Well done!
view Shirlb's profile
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!!
view auralay24's profile
this is really cool, and has me thinking about what other things could be turned into/used to make a fireplace like this!
view hla21's profile
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!
view accessoryshy's profile
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...
view manu_pty's profile