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DIY Fireplace Mantelpiece

January 26, 2019 by Lovoni | Leave a Comment

My hubby is the Chip to my Joanna. After living in houses with log burning fireplaces (even in Florida), I was disappointed the old house we bought in 2017 didn’t a fireplace. So I sketched a drawing for my hubby of something that could be a substitute & voila – he made it – just like my sketch.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

It was built using plywood & 2 x 1 timbers, 4 x 2 timbers; some trim pieces, a slab of old weathered wood cut down to fit. It’s 5 feet long & at its widest about 28 inches give or take. And stands about 4 feet tall.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

Next door to us is an old home built in 1883. It’s being completely renovated. When the old porch was taken down the neighbors generously gave us two of the old corbels from the house. ‘We’ put these at each end of our mantelpiece.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

The electric fireplace was free. Finn used to love it, it was his fireplace. Sadly Finn is no longer with us to bask in front of its warmth but it was perfect for this project & a little ode to our best buddy.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

As is the case with many a house over 100 years old, several of the walls &, in many places the floors, aren’t straight/level so my hubby had to build the fireplace so the mantel would sit straight, so the bottom part is custom for that particular location in the house.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

I think my most favourite thing is the mantel itself. Made from 12 foot long & 4 inch thick boards from a big old standing dead tree cut down a long time ago, we scored the sections for $20 each. We made our kitchen shelving from the same wood. Check out the kitchen makeover.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

As I abhor fussy & frilly, we kept the look simple, white (apart from the mantel) & quite plain, using simple trim in places & keeping inside the fireplace cubby plain white too.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

I’d eventually like to have an antique mirror above it but until such time I find one large enough then we just have a pic that reminds us of our old street we lived on in Minnesota.

DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece
DIY Fireplace & Mantelpiece

It looks like it was always there in the space. We have it in our dining room. I was so happy with how it turned out & I love it. Most of all I love that my husband, clever man that he is, made it for me. Chat to you soon, toodles, Lovoni xo

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Filed Under: Home & Garden, Our Old Home Tagged With: DIY, fireplace, mantelpiece, old farmhouse

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Well hello there…

I’m Lovoni – food stylist, cookbook author, once-upon-a-time TV cooking show host, food photographer & gypsy Really, I’m just greedy with a passion for good food, made right. I believe wholesome food is something to take pleasure in without guilt. I love simple living, whimsy & adventures.

 

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GOOD FOOD. NO GUILT
Some foods’ appearance beguiles the taste & text Some foods’ appearance beguiles the taste & texture. This is one such dish. Super Crunchy Herb, Lemon & Parmesan Chicken served with a lemony, garlic, caper butter. Breaded chicken & fish are favorites of mine. Served simply with some sea salt & lemon wedges or with this lemony butter sauce. Serve with creamy mashed potato & steamed green beans & call me; I’ll be there! I’ll even bring wine xo

https://freshhunger.com/2021/03/02/crispy-chicken-with-lemon-butter/
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#organicchicken #freerangechickens #butcherbox #herbs #lemon #capers #crunchy #crispy #freshhunger #lovoni #onmytable #inmykitchen #tuesdaydinner
Happy March 1st. The start to a new month needs ca Happy March 1st. The start to a new month needs cake - One Bowl Banana Cake with Caramel Drizzle. There’s something warm & comforting about this cake, especially today. Spring briefly revealed herself to us this past weekend & then she slinked back into the abyss.  Soon. 
Meanwhile I’m still wanting warm & comforting foods making use of the seasonal foods. What are you excited to make as the seasons transition? 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/04/29/one-bowl-banana-cake-with-caramel-drizzle/
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.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #cake #drizzle #banana #caramel #feedfeed #feedfeedbaking #drizzle #caramel #onebowlcakes #inmykitchen
Salmon, Leek & Ricotta Tarts because yesterday & t Salmon, Leek & Ricotta Tarts because yesterday & today we got a little taste of spring & I think these tarts are just that - a little taste of springtime. Mine you, we still have a foot of snow in our backyard but this time last week it was more than double that so I’ll take this. Only 20+ days until spring. Hang in there! 

https://freshhunger.com/2019/12/09/salmon-leek-ricotta-tarts/
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.
#springtimevibes #salmon #salmondinner #pastry #leeks #quiche #pastrytart #cream #farmfresheggs #freshhunger #lovoni #inmykitchen #onmytable
Oxtail in Red Wine: when I first added this to my Oxtail in Red Wine: when I first added this to my website & shared it on Pinterest, I almost blew up my Pinterest account. It was so popular. I was shocked. Really I made it for my husband a couple of times and the recipe was so nice I had to share. I thought here the words “ox tail” might turn people away. I was wrong, quite the opposite. Nowadays it’s beef tail not ox because oxen numbers, as far as I’m aware, have been on the decline and is the reason for beef tails being used but they’re still referred to as ox tail. 
Get the recipe here: https://freshhunger.com/2018/12/07/oxtail-in-red-wine/

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.
.
.
.
#oxtail #comfortfood #beefiswhatsfordinner #beeftail #cookedwithwine #inmykitchen #wholesomefood #carrots #redwine #freshhunger #lovoni #onmytable
Cottage pie - the granddaddy of savory comfort foo Cottage pie - the granddaddy of savory comfort food. Simple & inexpensive to make, this is a meat & tater lovers heaven. 
~
I used grass-fed ground beef from @firstfruitsfamilyfarm that I picked up @wheelers.cafe on the weekend. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/02/22/cottage-pie/

#buylocal #grassfedbeef #freshhunger #pie #comfortfood #comfortfoodrecipes #onmytable #inmykitchen #foodstyling #potato #mashedpotatoes #comfortfood #foodphotography
Succumbing to the cold & snow makes more sense tha Succumbing to the cold & snow makes more sense than complaining about it (not that it stops me whining) so I’m embracing soup-making. This one here is Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup. It’s pretty fabulous. I’ll drop the link below. Meanwhile tonight’s offering from the soup gods is creamy roasted red pepper soup with grilled salami & cheese sammich. Yummy!! 

https://freshhunger.com/2019/10/30/creamy-curry-cauliflower-soup/
#Cauliflower #soup #soupseason #soupweather #freshhumger #lovoni #toast #foodstylingessentials #foodstylist #foodstylistindianapolis #foodstylistmidwest #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #food52grams
Some foods’ appearance beguiles the taste & text Some foods’ appearance beguiles the taste & texture. This is one such dish. Super Crunchy Herb, Lemon & Parmesan Chicken served with a lemony, garlic, caper butter. Breaded chicken & fish are favorites of mine. Served simply with some sea salt & lemon wedges or with this lemony butter sauce. Serve with creamy mashed potato & steamed green beans & call me; I’ll be there! I’ll even bring wine xo

https://freshhunger.com/2021/03/02/crispy-chicken-with-lemon-butter/
.
.
.
.
.
#organicchicken #freerangechickens #butcherbox #herbs #lemon #capers #crunchy #crispy #freshhunger #lovoni #onmytable #inmykitchen #tuesdaydinner
Happy March 1st. The start to a new month needs ca Happy March 1st. The start to a new month needs cake - One Bowl Banana Cake with Caramel Drizzle. There’s something warm & comforting about this cake, especially today. Spring briefly revealed herself to us this past weekend & then she slinked back into the abyss.  Soon. 
Meanwhile I’m still wanting warm & comforting foods making use of the seasonal foods. What are you excited to make as the seasons transition? 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/04/29/one-bowl-banana-cake-with-caramel-drizzle/
.
.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #cake #drizzle #banana #caramel #feedfeed #feedfeedbaking #drizzle #caramel #onebowlcakes #inmykitchen
Salmon, Leek & Ricotta Tarts because yesterday & t Salmon, Leek & Ricotta Tarts because yesterday & today we got a little taste of spring & I think these tarts are just that - a little taste of springtime. Mine you, we still have a foot of snow in our backyard but this time last week it was more than double that so I’ll take this. Only 20+ days until spring. Hang in there! 

https://freshhunger.com/2019/12/09/salmon-leek-ricotta-tarts/
.
.
.
.
#springtimevibes #salmon #salmondinner #pastry #leeks #quiche #pastrytart #cream #farmfresheggs #freshhunger #lovoni #inmykitchen #onmytable
Oxtail in Red Wine: when I first added this to my Oxtail in Red Wine: when I first added this to my website & shared it on Pinterest, I almost blew up my Pinterest account. It was so popular. I was shocked. Really I made it for my husband a couple of times and the recipe was so nice I had to share. I thought here the words “ox tail” might turn people away. I was wrong, quite the opposite. Nowadays it’s beef tail not ox because oxen numbers, as far as I’m aware, have been on the decline and is the reason for beef tails being used but they’re still referred to as ox tail. 
Get the recipe here: https://freshhunger.com/2018/12/07/oxtail-in-red-wine/

.
.
.
.
.
#oxtail #comfortfood #beefiswhatsfordinner #beeftail #cookedwithwine #inmykitchen #wholesomefood #carrots #redwine #freshhunger #lovoni #onmytable
Cottage pie - the granddaddy of savory comfort foo Cottage pie - the granddaddy of savory comfort food. Simple & inexpensive to make, this is a meat & tater lovers heaven. 
~
I used grass-fed ground beef from @firstfruitsfamilyfarm that I picked up @wheelers.cafe on the weekend. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/02/22/cottage-pie/

#buylocal #grassfedbeef #freshhunger #pie #comfortfood #comfortfoodrecipes #onmytable #inmykitchen #foodstyling #potato #mashedpotatoes #comfortfood #foodphotography
Succumbing to the cold & snow makes more sense tha Succumbing to the cold & snow makes more sense than complaining about it (not that it stops me whining) so I’m embracing soup-making. This one here is Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup. It’s pretty fabulous. I’ll drop the link below. Meanwhile tonight’s offering from the soup gods is creamy roasted red pepper soup with grilled salami & cheese sammich. Yummy!! 

https://freshhunger.com/2019/10/30/creamy-curry-cauliflower-soup/
#Cauliflower #soup #soupseason #soupweather #freshhumger #lovoni #toast #foodstylingessentials #foodstylist #foodstylistindianapolis #foodstylistmidwest #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #food52grams
Some foods’ appearance beguiles the taste & text Some foods’ appearance beguiles the taste & texture. This is one such dish. Super Crunchy Herb, Lemon & Parmesan Chicken served with a lemony, garlic, caper butter. Breaded chicken & fish are favorites of mine. Served simply with some sea salt & lemon wedges or with this lemony butter sauce. Serve with creamy mashed potato & steamed green beans & call me; I’ll be there! I’ll even bring wine xo

https://freshhunger.com/2021/03/02/crispy-chicken-with-lemon-butter/
.
.
.
.
.
#organicchicken #freerangechickens #butcherbox #herbs #lemon #capers #crunchy #crispy #freshhunger #lovoni #onmytable #inmykitchen #tuesdaydinner
Happy March 1st. The start to a new month needs ca Happy March 1st. The start to a new month needs cake - One Bowl Banana Cake with Caramel Drizzle. There’s something warm & comforting about this cake, especially today. Spring briefly revealed herself to us this past weekend & then she slinked back into the abyss.  Soon. 
Meanwhile I’m still wanting warm & comforting foods making use of the seasonal foods. What are you excited to make as the seasons transition? 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/04/29/one-bowl-banana-cake-with-caramel-drizzle/
.
.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #cake #drizzle #banana #caramel #feedfeed #feedfeedbaking #drizzle #caramel #onebowlcakes #inmykitchen
Salmon, Leek & Ricotta Tarts because yesterday & t Salmon, Leek & Ricotta Tarts because yesterday & today we got a little taste of spring & I think these tarts are just that - a little taste of springtime. Mine you, we still have a foot of snow in our backyard but this time last week it was more than double that so I’ll take this. Only 20+ days until spring. Hang in there! 

https://freshhunger.com/2019/12/09/salmon-leek-ricotta-tarts/
.
.
.
.
#springtimevibes #salmon #salmondinner #pastry #leeks #quiche #pastrytart #cream #farmfresheggs #freshhunger #lovoni #inmykitchen #onmytable
Oxtail in Red Wine: when I first added this to my Oxtail in Red Wine: when I first added this to my website & shared it on Pinterest, I almost blew up my Pinterest account. It was so popular. I was shocked. Really I made it for my husband a couple of times and the recipe was so nice I had to share. I thought here the words “ox tail” might turn people away. I was wrong, quite the opposite. Nowadays it’s beef tail not ox because oxen numbers, as far as I’m aware, have been on the decline and is the reason for beef tails being used but they’re still referred to as ox tail. 
Get the recipe here: https://freshhunger.com/2018/12/07/oxtail-in-red-wine/

.
.
.
.
.
#oxtail #comfortfood #beefiswhatsfordinner #beeftail #cookedwithwine #inmykitchen #wholesomefood #carrots #redwine #freshhunger #lovoni #onmytable
Cottage pie - the granddaddy of savory comfort foo Cottage pie - the granddaddy of savory comfort food. Simple & inexpensive to make, this is a meat & tater lovers heaven. 
~
I used grass-fed ground beef from @firstfruitsfamilyfarm that I picked up @wheelers.cafe on the weekend. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/02/22/cottage-pie/

#buylocal #grassfedbeef #freshhunger #pie #comfortfood #comfortfoodrecipes #onmytable #inmykitchen #foodstyling #potato #mashedpotatoes #comfortfood #foodphotography
Succumbing to the cold & snow makes more sense tha Succumbing to the cold & snow makes more sense than complaining about it (not that it stops me whining) so I’m embracing soup-making. This one here is Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup. It’s pretty fabulous. I’ll drop the link below. Meanwhile tonight’s offering from the soup gods is creamy roasted red pepper soup with grilled salami & cheese sammich. Yummy!! 

https://freshhunger.com/2019/10/30/creamy-curry-cauliflower-soup/
#Cauliflower #soup #soupseason #soupweather #freshhumger #lovoni #toast #foodstylingessentials #foodstylist #foodstylistindianapolis #foodstylistmidwest #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #food52grams

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