If you've been reading for awhile you no I like furniture with clean lines. Not quite primitive but almost. My favorite part about this design is I used 1 x pine boards in their stock sizes so no need to rip anything down. The only tools you need to build it are a chop saw and a nail gun. No nail gun? then you can use a good old fashion hammer and finish nails or a drill and screws.
Here's how I built it.
To start lay out a 1 x 12 board and butt a 1 x 10 against it.
Lay a 1 x 6 on top centering it on the 1 x 10. I attached with glue and nails using my nail gun.
To create the panel place a 1 x 4 at the top attaching it 1" down from the top of the 1 x 12. This is so when the crown is attached there will be the same amount showing as the bottom 1 x 3. Also some will be under the crown for it to rest on and attach to. As you can see in the above photo the bottom 1 x 3 extends below the 1 x 12. I did this because I wanted at least 6 inches for the inside of the panel.
I then added trim mitered at the corners.
To give the mantel some depth and allow for the 1 x 8 top I added 1 x 3's to the back attaching with glue and nails. The middle one however needed to be 3 1/4" because I had moved the bottom 1 x 3 for the panel down.
I ended up ripping a 1 x 4 on my table saw. If you don't have a table saw you could use a 1 x 2 below the 1 x 12 then add your 1 x 3 to that. Make sense?
(I throw all my wood scraps under the table eek)
For the base trim I used the remainder of the 1 x 6. I mitered the corners because I just got a new chop saw (it's dreamy). If you have a smaller chop saw like my old one that won't handle that big of a board you could just do what is pictured below. That's why wood putty is a builders best friend right?
To attach it to the wall I made a cleat by ripping a 1 x 4 at a 45 degree angle down the middle. One half attaches to the mantel.
The other half is attached to the wall with at least two screws preferably into studs. Then slide the mantel onto it. Works great and no visible screws!
If you don't have a way to rip a board you can attach a 2 x 2 to your wall, set the mantle on top of it and screw through the top shelf into the 2 x 2.
Here's the final measurements:
Now for the paint finish. The base coat is a charcoal colored latex shown above. The top coat is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen. Sealed with Annie Sloan Clear and Dark Wax. I really need to learn how to use my camera I have a hard time capturing the true color and depth of the finish.
I wish I could put a mantel in every room.
I appreciate you stopping by!

****Want more info? Detailed Plans for how to make this mantel now on Ana-white.com.
Playing at the following parties:
Primp - Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials & Tips
My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday
My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday
Farm House Porch - Cowgirl Up
Funky Junk Interiors - SNS
Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday
Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials & Tips
My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday
My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday
Farm House Porch - Cowgirl Up
Funky Junk Interiors - SNS
Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday
19 comments:
Awesome tutorial! I love the way it turned out!
--Katie
OMG - I have to go build one of these tomorrow, lol
Incredibly beautiful!
Your newest follower - would love to have you come
by for a visit ( and follow back :)
Hugs!
magnifico! x
Love it! Great tutorial. I built one a while back for my bedroom but it's more primitive to go with the style of my house so no crown. Wonderful job!
Holly
That is gorgeous! You are awesome Mimi!
Wow! That turned out beautifully! Thanks for sharing! Meghan
Fabulous tutorial! I know this is something I could do and since I will never have a fireplace in my house, this would be the next best thing. Thanks so much for posting!!
That is one beautiful mantel. Very nice construction and the color is lovely! One to pin!
your mantle turned out beautiful, i would love to feature it, please let me know if this would be ok
lauren
Oh my goodness, girl! I so love this mantel, Mimi!!! Great job!
xo
Shannon
I like furniure with clean lines too:) I am hosting a Giveaway to win a 50 dollar gift card to the store HomeGoods. It would be great if you stopped by and entered. Thanks Anu
This is gorgeous. I can't wait to make it to surround our gas fireplace that currently has only tile. I want to put shutters up to hide our tv and such, above our fireplace. Can you tell me about yours? I want to copy them. Thanks!
What did this cost to build?
Beautiful! I got your link from Anawhite.com :) I am interested in building! Can you remember how much the lumber cost you?
Thank you for this tutorial. I have amassed a stockpile of items I want to use on my mantel/fireplace. I have a piece of polished marble that was the front of a long lost fireplace, two lovely pieces of wood that I believe were once on an old piano, corbels of all shapes and sizes and antique Delft tiles. You have given me the inspiration and instructions to pull it all out and see what I can make of it.
Love this mantle. Fabulous job!!
That is gorgeous! You are very talented!
Hi there, this is great!
How do you adjust the dimensions to make for a deeper fireplace?
Thanks!
OH WOW!!! You are such a talented person! The fireplace is gorgeous! I dream of a faux one but it seems so complicated:/ However, I wanna try thanks to your tutorial:)
Post a Comment