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About Project
Hang your stockings on this simple faux fireplace plan. This design can be easily stored away when the Holidays are over, or kept in the center of your living room too!
Dimensions
Materials and Tools
1/2 – sheet of faux brick paneling or 1/4″ plywood or mdf paneling
1 – 4×4 post, 8 feet long OR 2 – 2x4s, 8 feet long
2 – 2×4, 8 feet or stud length (in addition to the 4×4 posts above)
1 – 2×6, 8 feet or stud length
1 – 2×12, 4 feet long
3″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
wood filler, paint and sandpaper
Cut List
1 – 2×12 @ 44 1/2″ (cut at an arch shape)
2 – 2×4 @ 36 1/2″
2 – 4×4 @ 48″ (legs)
1 – 2×4 @ 51 1/2″ (top)
1 – 2×6 @ 55 1/2″ (top TOP)
1 – 1/4″ paneling @ 48″ x 48″
General Instructions
This is definitely a project that you can tackle in an afternoon, in plenty of time to hang those stockings with care. You can also adjust the size to fit your living space easily – I choose this size because it works well with a perfect 1/2 sheet of plywood or paneling and a single 4×4 post, 8 feet long. Of course, if you have trouble finding 4x4s, try sandwiching 2x4s together – that’s what I did.
Step 1
Header
Cut the header at an arch shape as shown above. Sand the cut edge to make sure the arch is even.
Step 2
Inner Trim
Assuming that your 2x12s are 11 1/2″ wide (widths can vary, I choose to list the widest possible widths) cut your 2x4s and screw to the arched top. Don’t worry about getting a super strong joint, the joint will be reinforced from the back and sides. If you don’t have a Kreg Jig™, try just screwing at an angle from the 2×4 into the 2×12.
Step 3
Legs
Now add the 4×4 posts to the sides as shown above. Back is flush. Use a drill bit the size of your screw heads to drill approximately 1/2 way through the 4×4 posts. Then use a drill bit the size of the screw shaft to drill the remaining way through the 4×4 posts. Screw the posts to the 2x4s with 3″ screws.
Step 4
Top
If you’ve built a farmhouse bed, you are probably thinking, that all looks quite familiar. And in fact, this could easily double as a full size headboard. In this step, just screw the 2×4 to the top with 3″ screws.
Step 5
Top TOP
Now add the top TOP in the same manner, 3″ screws.
Step 6
Back
Now simply screw the back paneling on.
Step 7
Finishing
I finished mine by filling holes with wood filler, sanding, and then priming everything but the top. I painted two coats of paint in an muted oooops green paint, and stained the top with Minwax Express Color in Pecan. Make sure you screw through the 2×12 header into a stud in the wall behind the faux fireplace to keep it from tipping forward. Good luck and Happy Holidays!
If you aren't lucky enough to already have a place to hang your stockings, this is the post for you. In just a few hours you can have a place to hang those stockings for probably less than the cost of a shelf. Something that is freestanding, so you can move it to the attic with the rest of the Christmas decorations, or keep it around to provide a focal point for your room. Meet the Faux Fireplace, that you can put anywhere. This anywhere happens to be in my yard at twenty below.
Also, think of it as the "flat screen" fireplace, if you will. At less than 6" deep, it's not going to take over you living room.
And for those of you who don't wish to spend on a faux brick paneling (about $20 a sheet) how about this idea? What a great place for Christmas cards! Image from Country Living.
Or use a chalkboard to draw a fire :) Love this idea from Apartment Therapy.
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Love this! I won't be able
Love this! I won't be able to make one this year, but hope to have one for next Christmas!
I think i am going to have to
I think i am going to have to tackle this. I already have everything too! Ill have to use bead board instead of faux bricks though. Oooo im so excited! Wont hubby be suprised when he gets home!!
It's like you can read my
It's like you can read my mind! Every time I say I want something - Ana has it! =) Thank you!
Think you would love this
Think you would love this fireplace I saw featured on a craft blog I read regularly. It looks so awesome for a faus fireplace!
http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-faux-fireplace.html
Thank you, thank you, thank
Thank you, thank you, thank you Ana. You have fulfilled one of my wishes and request for this Christmas season! I love it! You are the greatest! Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
Lovely!!http://cleverlyinspir
Lovely!!
Absolutley adorable. I would
Absolutley adorable. I would love to have this, but it won't be this year. LOL But going on my project list for next year. I think that I will have to start Christmas in July.
I love it! Thanks Ana!
I love it! Thanks Ana!
This is awesome! I have been
This is awesome! I have been talking about finding a fireplace surround lately to add some detail to our living room. Thanks!!!
What a brilliant idea! A lot
What a brilliant idea! A lot of people don't have fire places, and this would provide an excellent place for children to hang the stockings. Helps everyone feel a little more in the spirit of the holidays!
Ana: You ROCK!!! I was
Ana:
You ROCK!!! I was look to purchase a mantle for my parents house! Now I can just build it!!!
How wonderful! Very pretty!
How wonderful! Very pretty! Was wondering tho - any future plans for constructing a fireplace mantle shelf? I do have a fireplace - just no mantle or shelf there. They are SO expensive to buy, just know there has to be an easy way to make just a mantle shelf.
Thanks!
Barbara in TN
Hi Ana, just stopped by to
Hi Ana, just stopped by to let you know I gave you an award today, although this isn't officially a blog, stop by when you have a chance to accept:
http://fearfullyandwonderfullymade81.blogspot.com/2010/12/yay-me.html
This is so cute! I was
This is so cute! I was wondering if you could tell me how to make a simple SHELF style mantel??? It is probably a "no brainer", but I've always wanted to do it and have know idea how to build it where it is sturdy and supported...and won't fall down :) Thanks!
Also, I'm currently in the middle of building your Lydia daybed...excited to get to send pics soon!!
Thank you so much for all you do...and for blessing us all!
Tiffany
Thank you! I was just going
Thank you! I was just going to build your barn beam ledge and use it as a feaux mantle, but this is great! Thanks!
<3
Oooooh, I'm thinking tiny
Oooooh, I'm thinking tiny scale & anchoring to the wall of the kids playhouse, too!
In think this is one of my
In think this is one of my favorites this month!!
Cool! I think it would be
Cool! I think it would be nice with pretty paper or fabric in the back.
Ana, how do you survive
Ana, how do you survive twenty below weather? How do you keep warm? I live in upstate NY and every had been complaining that we have 20 degree weather this week! Thanks for yet another awesome post.
THANK YOU!!! i emailed you a
THANK YOU!!! i emailed you a few weeks ago asking for mantle plans -- i'm sure mine wasn't the only request you got for it, but it's SO EXCITING to see it up! i built a fake fireplace over the thanksgiving weekend (pictured below) by dry-stacking salvaged bricks. i can't wait for my med school finals to be done next week so i can make the mantle and finish it up in time for the holidays. =D THANK YOU!!!
Your website is looking so
Your website is looking so good! Your photos are great and I love the writing on the photo! I'm working on the toddler farmhouse bed right now and will post pictures when it's done! Thanks.
I just had a FANTASTIC idea!
I just had a FANTASTIC idea! I want to make a faux fireplace radiator cover! My radiator makes it impossible to use the three feet it takes up or much of the area above it (there's steam damage to the drywall --- but the apartment is a rental, so what can I do?)... Something that doesn't place all the weight on the poor wall AND masks my radiator?! I'm sold on my own idea.
ANA!!! I was totally
ANA!!! I was totally thinking about doing this for my house! You are genius. THANK YOU!
still in progress (needs
still in progress (needs paint and a mantle top -- it ended up an unusual size, so finding an adequate piece is difficult) but this is as done as it's going to get until after the holidays. =) thanks again for coming up with the plans!
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled with this post Ana. I can't wait to have this in my living room. :) I've been eyeing those portable electric fireplaces for a while, but didn't want to spend so much money, but THIS will do perfect! I just really wanted the look and feel of a mantle, and a focal point for my living room. Many, many thanks!
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled with this post Ana. I can't wait to have this in my living room. :) I've been eyeing those portable electric fireplaces for a while, but didn't want to spend so much money, but THIS will do perfect! I just really wanted the look and feel of a mantle, and a focal point for my living room. Many, many thanks!
Katie- That looks awesome. Love the salvaged brick idea!
HI! I love this but I am
HI! I love this but I am looking for a surround/mantle to build to go around my fireplace. COuld this be modified to do that? If so...how? Thanks!
Saw these faux logs on oh dee
Saw these faux logs on oh dee oh, and had to share them here!!
What a perfect couple they make!
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/diy-project-cardboard-faux-log...
Can't Wait!
I've been waiting over a year to make this and I'm finally out in the garage today! The arch is definitely the hardest part for me. In fact, I've had my wood ready for over a week now and the arch scared me so I haven't done anything! I'm jumping in and will post pictures as soon as I have them. Thanks Ana for being so awesome and inspiring me to just jump ;)
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