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 did in 2017 didn’t have 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.
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 6 feet long & at its widest about 28 inches give or take. And stands about 4 1/2 feet or so tall.
Next door to us is an old home built in 1883. It’s being completely renovated. When the old porch was taken down off the old girl, the neighbors generously gave us two of the old corbels from the house. We put these at each end of the mantelpiece.
The electric fireplace was free we got for our dog Finn about a year ago. Sadly Finn is no longer with us to enjoy its warmth & glow but it was perfect for the project & a little ode to our best buddy.
As is the case with many a house over 100 years old, several of the wall & in many places the floors aren’t straight or level so my hubby had to build the fireplace so the mantel would sit straight – which is does but the bottom part is certainly custom for this house – that particular space in this house I should say.
I think my most favourite thing is the mantel itself. Made from 12 foot long & 4 inch thick board cut from a big old tree a long time ago, we scored the sections for $20 each. We made our kitchen shelving from the same wood although the shelves are not quite as thick. Check out the kitchen makeover.
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.
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.
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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