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Hello, fellow DIY enthusiasts and home decor aficionados! Are you tired of your fireplace looking like it needs a little more pizzazz? Well, you're in luck, because we're about to embark on a journey of mantle magic that will leave your hearth asking for its own makeover! Get ready to turn that bland space into a stunning focal point with our step-by-step guide on building a custom mantle that even your fireplace will envy.
Materials:
Stain Color of your choice: We used Minwax White Wash
Tools:
Step 1: Plywood Purchase Party First things first, let's get shopping! Head to your local lumberyard and pick up a sheet of plywood. But let's not just get any old plywood; let's make it an exciting adventure. Pretend you're on a treasure hunt for the finest sheet of wood, and don't be surprised if you find yourself high-fiving fellow shoppers in the lumber aisle. Trust me, it's a thing.
Step 2: Measure Twice, Rip Down Once Now, I know what you're thinking: "Didn't my math teacher tell me I'd never use this stuff in real life?" Well, guess what? They were wrong! Grab your measuring tape and channel your inner Pythagoras as you carefully mark and rip that plywood down to size. It's like doing geometry, but with power tools - way cooler!
Our custom measurements: 6' wide, 6" tall and 8" deep.
Step 3: Miter, Don't Quit Let's get fancy with those edges! Bust out your table saw and show those plywood pieces who's boss. Cutting perfect angles like a geometry wiz, you'll soon have edges so sharp, you'll need a permit to touch them.
Step 4: Prestain, Stain, and Don't Complain Ah, the art of staining - the part where things can get a tad messy. Embrace the chaos, because soon you'll be mesmerized by the transformation of your once-plain plywood into a rich, elegant masterpiece. Remember, a little stain on your hands is just a sign of dedication to the craft.
We tested out 7 different stain combinations on a scrap of the birch plywood before electing to white wash.
Step 5: Assemble, Baby, Assemble It's time to bring those pieces together like a DIY puzzle from the heavens. Whip out the wood glue and pin nails and let the assembly extravaganza begin. The sense of accomplishment as the pieces come together is particularly satisfying especially knowing you are leveling up your living room.
Apply light coat of wood glue in the mitered edges before using a pin nailer to assemble the mantle. Use clamps to hold the pieces in place while the glue dries. Then, use the edge of a screwdriver to round out the edges for a truly seamless look!
Step 6: Cleat 'n' Complete This is the grand finale, the pièce de résistance! Attach a 2x4 cleat to the wall with the finesse of a superhero landing, and then hang your custom mantle in all its glory. Step back, admire your work, and take a moment to bask in the awe of what you've created. Your fireplace will never be the same again.
There you have it, fellow creators of home elegance! With a touch of plywood prowess, a dash of mitered magnificence, and a sprinkle of staining sorcery, you've transformed your fireplace from drab to fab. Now, whenever you walk into the room, you'll feel like a DIY wizard who just cast a spell of charm and sophistication. So go ahead, invite your friends over, and watch their jaws drop as they ogle at your custom mantle masterpiece. And when they ask where you got such an incredible addition to your home, you can nonchalantly reply, "Oh, I whipped that up in a weekend." Now, that's how you add a touch of witty magic to your living space!
Before and After
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