I picked up this old, tattered mantel at the flea market in Raleigh a few months ago, knowing that I wanted to make a faux fireplace of sorts in my master bedroom. I've always loved fireplaces in master bedrooms, but ours didn't have one. I thought about buying an electric fireplace and building a mantel around it, but since I'm rarely cold since moving to NC and on a tight budget, I thought I'd try a different approach...
Since the mantel literally had huge chunks of old flaking paint (which I assumed was lead-based), I donned my respirator and carefully stripped, scraped, and sanded it down. After cleaning it up, I applied a few coats of ASCP Old White without wax. It's a pretty rough old mantel with cracks and nail holes, but I left most of those and went for the rustic, shabby look.
After attaching it to the wall, I then painted the inside with black chalkboard paint and had my super-talented step-dad help draw a fireplace chalk illustration...
Talented, isn't he? If you don't have handy artist around, I'm sure you could get this look with an image of fireplace logs and an over-head projector to provide a template to trace onto your chalkboard paint. I've got one more of those $20 thrift store chairs in the above picture that I'm working on re-upholstering this week and then I can share the whole room with you! I'm excited to have it all done...
Sources: mantel - flea market, chair - Goodwill, rug - Home Decorators, flower canvas prints - Ikea, mercury glass candles an mantel accessories - TJ Maxx, wall paint - Martha Stewart's Spring Melt
Kristen
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43 comments:
This is so charming - beautiful job:)
oh my gosh i love it! llove the faux inset!
Wow, he really is good. Love that mantel.
Beautiful, as always!!! Your step-father and YOU are so talented. It's really a joy to see your work.
: )
Julie M.
Gorgeous, Kristen! Love the mantel! I've got my eye out when I'm out and about for an inexpensive one for my daughter. Love the "fire" your step-dad did! He is very talented. It makes me smile to see that and, I'm sure, when you wake up and see it in the mornings, it makes you smile, too. Love the chair and I'm looking forward to seeing the full reveal!
The mantel is wonderful...I am sending it to my sister who is really wanting a faux mantel (she lives in Florida where fireplaces are few and far between)....Great mantel Kristen...and yes, your Step Dad is so very talented...I cannot wait till he starts offering classes!!
I will be the first to sign up!!!
I have a faux fp too. In fact, when we had the home appraised, he checked two fireplaces. LOL We never told him it was fake. I love your whimsical fire and logs drawing. So cute. xxoo
This is a great idea, adds so much warmth to a master bedroom.
Is the flea market a great source for furniture to repaint?
I have seen where people made a faux insert for their fireplaces but THIS IS THE BEST! I love it and plan on copying it....if you don't mind!! I'm also a new follower!
This is adorable! I just put a mantle up in my shop so that I could decorate for the holidays, and even tho I can't draw a faux fire and logs, I am going to use some chalkboard paint like you did.
What a wonderful project! I love the chalkboard on the bottom. It's such a mix of classic and fun design. I just discovered your blog and I'm your newest follower. I can't wait to explore your blog more.
Angela
That's awesome! I love the creativity and unique ideas. great job!
House Demolition Melbourne
Oh my goodness, that's so cute! What a great idea!
Tania
Super talented, indeed. Great artwork.
That's really brilliant and looks really great, what a fun idea :-)
Everything about it is beautiful...the nail holes, the imperfections make it perfect! Love the chalkboard fire! Pinning this one.
YOur bedroom is beautiful... calm and lush and serene! And that fireplace is a fabulous addition! I love the art rendering!!!! Very creative and chic! Thanks for sharing this great DYI with us at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS!
Absolutely beautiful. Dimension and shadows of the chalk art make it look so cool! I have an electric fireplace in my bedroom. Hubby won't let me turn it on since the tv sits right on top of it. At least with your chalk art it looks like you are enjoying a nice fire. :-)
Very cool....love the idea of a chalkboard for the fireplace ~ great idea :)
Beautiful, never would have thought of the chalk drawing. Perfect.
Beautiful, never would have thought of the chalk drawing. Perfect.
whoa, how gorgeous, and i love the drawing inside, with that "brick" work.
LOVE IT!!!
that is soo cute!!! i love it!
Kristen, this is one of the cutest ideas I've seen! the mantel is amazing, LOVE those wonderful corbels!
Very cute!! I would love for you to stop by My Dream Canvas. I am also hosting a giveaway to win a 50dollar gift card to HomeGoods. Do drop by and enter if you like :)
So super cool! I love the idea of drawing a fire! Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Carrie
I have those pictures from Ikea too! Hangin' on my wall, they are so lovely, and go with almost any decor! Speaking of lovely, SO CREATIVE with that fireplace!! I seriously LOVE IT! I could never draw something that amazing, major props! Thank you for sharing!
-Kylie
absolutelyarkansas.blogspot.com
Love it all but the faux fire is what really catches my eye! ~ Maureen
Love how you finished this out! So cute! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Simply beautiful! Such a great chalkboard fireplace with the detailed logs and fire. I love your style, Kristen!
What a beautiful site! I'm stopping over from a blog hop and am excited to be your newest follower. If you get a chance feel free to stop by and follow back at
www.iheartpears.blogspot.com
Kristen, I popped over from the Home Sweet Home party. You are one resourceful lady. this is one of the cleverest ideas yet. Eager to see your complete room.....Sarah
This is so amazingly beautiful! I love every bit of it - the old chalk painted mantle, the blossom photo set, the chalkboard art... Pinning and adding Sophia's to my reader!
Saw this and loved it! I don't have a real fireplace, but I do have a real mantel that I love and I'm glad to see others on the same wave-length!
What a gorgeous find! You did a wonderful job refinishing it! And, wow, what a talented father-in-law you have! Visiting from MMS.
Allison
I love this faux fireplace!! It's so stunning and very unique. I would love for you to link up at the linky party on my blog: http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2012/08/link-up-with-me-liz-marie-15/ I know my readers would looove to see it!!
xx liz marie
Love the "fire" insert. Wish I could draw like that!
Incredible! What a great idea and the drawing is perfect.
What a great idea. I have a faux fireplace in my bedroom and I am going to copy you. Love it.
Oh, this is SO fun!! I love the whimsy it adds to your mantel!
I'm your newest follower, and would love you to visit and say hi :)
Susan
Such a fantastic idea!!!!!
Love it! I will have to try this in my mantle I built for our master bedroom. You can see it here at
http://homastyle.com/wp/2012/09/11/mantle-idea-for-autumn/
Thanks!
Hi there! Found your blog through Graphic's Fairy and fell in love with your fireplace mantel project! The log and fire sketch is perfect and just had to share! I've created a brief post on my blog showcasing your makeover with links to your post. Thank you so much for sharing your talent! Your furniture pieces are amazing! -Holly
http://bellastoriablog.blogspot.com/2013/02/renters-rehab-warm-toasty.html
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