Saturday, October 13, 2012

DIY Fireplace Mantle With Found Objects

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I have been desperately wanting a fireplace mantle for several years now... For me, there is nothing like a beautifully decorated mantle during all the seasons of the year. A mantle is the centerpiece of a room. Even if there is no fireplace to go with it, a mantle adds an element of warmth and comfort to a space. I love our little "real" fireplace in our kitchen, but its sole purpose is to heat the home, not to decorate. There is no mantle for me to adorn with flowers, pictures and seasonal decor. Our living room (which originally was used as a bedroom) had no fireplace. It was the perfect area to put a gorgeous mantle in. My friends and I scoured flea markets, antique shops, and online yard-sales for several months. To my disappointment, I was never able to score one...
One day, in a little village near a castle, my friend, Fair Maiden Beverly, found a fireplace insert (space heater) that flickered and looked pretty realistic. I have no idea why I started writing this like it was a fairy tale... It was only 30 gold shillings...I mean Euro, since it was used of course. It was the perfect purchase for us since we were in need of a space heater as well! Why have an ugly metal heater when you can have one that looks like fire! 
We decided we were going to build me a mantle to fit around the heater! 
Here is the room before we moved in...
 Like many of our other projects...our budget to build the mantle was.... nothing. We are mere peasants after all...Like I mentioned before folks, we are saving for our trip to Italy. 
We climbed in the old part of the barn and found a ton of old barn wood and beams laying in a pile. Ends up, the landlord was going to trash it, thank goodness for us! He cut the wood to the right size and attached them all together. We found other little pieces of wood to create trim with. Nothing matches perfectly and I like it this way.
 
 I found a piece of molding in a dump pile after cleaning up from the plague. I  painted and distressed it along with all the wood so it all looked like it belonged together. I attached it to the front and it fit perfectly! We hung the large beam on brackets since it was so incredibly heavy. Along with the rest of the junk in the old part of the barn, we discovered this 130 year old barn door! It was original to our home and where they used to throw hay out of! The (female) pediment was off of a Victorian door in San Francisco. I  purchased it a few years back at a yard sale. Everything fit together as if it was always meant to be this way...
 The ladder helps me to climb onto my unicorn...



 The fireplace insert easily slides in and out so we can use it in other rooms. I plan on filling the mantle with candles during the spring and summer months.


I always find that my biggest disappointments end up being turned into my favorite ideas. We now will have a piece of our German Barn with us wherever we go!
Ok, I am off to relax by my fireplace with my pup and finish a stupid t.v. series!

Later!

Linking up to:
   


23 comments:

  1. Amazing!!! I'm totally blown away by this! It looks so cozy too, perfect for cold German Winter!

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  2. Wow!!! I can't believe you just threw that together from stuff that you found! Last winter Ryan took out our fireplace gas insert and put in a wood burning fireplace. We love it because it keeps our whole house warm for free (We're on about 5 acres of woods, so we've got all the firewood we need). The only downside is now I don't have a mantle. It's still beautiful, but I do really having a mantle to put the stockings on. I'm still trying to figure out how display the stockings...wish me luck!

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    1. Hey there Heauther! Thank you so much! Don't you just love real fireplaces!! Why don't you get a Giant shelf ledge that looks mantle-y put pictures and flowers above and hang stockings on that!

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  3. Your hubby did a fantastic job on your mantel. Love the old beam across the top. And that old barn door to-die-for! The whole arrangement with the ladder and all is very striking.
    Mary Alice

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    1. Thank you so much! He is so talented and patient and goes along with all my crazy house projects... I feel so blessed to have him:) We really got lucky, it was like all the perfect parts were up there, waiting for us to make a mantle with all of them!

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  4. Gorgeous Molly! So I presume the fireplace insert plugs in? What an awesome find!

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    1. Thank you Ann! It sure does! It gets really toasty and warm!

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  5. I love the fireplace!! I've totally wanted a mantel for a long time too. This is an awesome idea! Now just to find someone with some extra wood laying around.....

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    1. Thank you Leah! Even if you used fence wood or old cabinets would work too! If you have any questions let me know, I can give you some ideas... The top of hutches, bookshelves, and older tv cabinets work great.. takes a bit of altering but they work wonderfully!

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  6. It looks like it was always there. Love it and the mantel is amazing.

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    1. Why thank you Kim! I really appreciate it! Thank you for hosting!

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  7. This is stunning, but no surprise there. I love everything that you do. The mantel, the reclaimed wood, everything is perfect.

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    1. Thank you so much! I really, really appreciate your kind words!

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  8. It's gorgeous. I love this new fireplace area. It is perfect.
    Ruth

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    1. Thank you so much Ruth! I am so glad you stopped by! your compliment made my day! Have a wonderful afternoon!

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  9. SO SO pretty! i love the barn door!!!
    We just got our link party up and running and would love if you came and joined in on the fun. Each week we are giving away free ad space for one week to one random party goer. Our main site gets thousands of hits per day and The Better Half gets thousands per week. Hope to see you there! http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-5/

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    1. Thank you so much Jocie!! I will definitely come over and check it out! Sounds lovely! I hope you have a great day!

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  10. it all looks utterly amazing!!! love every detail!

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    1. Why thank you Miss Cassie! That is so sweet! I love your blog and everything you do!

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Thanks for the lovely comments! Each and everyone means so much to me! xo

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