DIY Fireplace

DIY Farmhouse Fireplace

Before

A how to guide to give your bland and boring fireplace an updated farmhouse look. 

Step 1: Take off excessive molding

We wanted clean lines look to the mantle so or first step was removing the extra molding on the sides and face of the mantle. Use a pry bar and hammer to gently remove the moldings. 

 Step 2: Build mantle box

We used 1x8 pine for the front and sides. A 3/4 inch plywood for the top and bottom. We overhung the box by two inches on each side and then 3-4 on the front. We needed the depth to be specific to hold our cable box. Stained the wood our go to "jacobean" color and mounted the box by screwing into the existing mantle. 

Step 3: Shiplap

By diving the distance of the top of the box and the ceiling, we came up with a even number to create our shiplap. Using a plywood underlayment, we cut four 8 inch strips, primed and painted them white and attached to drywall by 2" brad nails. 

Step 4: Paint 

After scrubbing and cleaning the brick, we applied Kilz brand primer and white washed the brick. Everything got a final coat of Gliden base1 semigloss classic white paint. 

Step 5: Insert cable box and mount TV

By using hidden cabinet hinges, our mantle box hides the ugly cables. 

Step 6: Decorate

We have a 1 year old who loves to get up on the fireplace. We needed something to cover the fireplace without worrying of it falling over or spending a fortune.

Step 7: DIY fireplace cover

Using leftover plywood, we attached a heavy outdoor fabric with a staple gun. 

Step 8: Mount DIY fireplace cover

With lots of research, we ended up using heavy duty command strips to secure the covered plywood to the opening. We also saw lots of magnetic options as well.