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Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Faux Fireplace Mantel

Awhile back I shared with you about a couple of crib panels that I found on the roadside. One of them I turned into this fun chalkboard. Yes, I know I need to work on my lettering skills.


I just hadn't had the big inspiration moment for the second one, until a couple of days ago.

One of the things I've missed since moving into our current home almost two years ago is a real fireplace. (I'm thinking you've heard me whine about this before) As far as I'm concerned, nothing beats the cozy warmth and ambiance of a real wood burning fire. But, alas, it is not to be in this home. 
But wait, take a look at what I DO have!! Wait for it....wait for it...





TA-DA!!!
 
 Um, hello? Is that crickets I hear? 


I've had this little baby for about three years now, and I really do like it, but it's just a glorified electric heater. It blows hot air and has a fake simulated fire. It warms up my cold bedroom pretty darn quickly, but a little lacking in the charm department, know what I mean? Little black charmless fire simulator needed...

A SIMULATED MANTEL! HELLO INSPIRATION!

The light bulb went on....the wheels started turning.....it all started coming together in my mind. THIS would be the beginning of my faux mantel. 


By sheer magic (and about 20 blows of the hammer) the pieces just fell before me.

  

The faux brick wall panel is a leftover piece from a project at our previous home. I use it as a backdrop for photographing things for my Etsy shop , The Penny and the Pearl. I should have taken a couple of photos of the process, but it really wasn't much!

I originally thought I would use the top piece with the spindles, but I would have had to resize the brick panel, and I didn't want to do that. I realized if I flipped the "leg" pieces upside down, and set that cute curvy little bottom piece on top of them that it would frame the brick panel perfectly! Yay! I love it when things happen the easy way.  A (very) little sanding..
 

 .....a quick brush on with some white paint, giving it a bit of an aged look, and....


  
VOILA!


A kinda sorta mantel-ish backdrop.


I just leaned the brick panel up against the wall, added the wood pieces and put the electric fireplace in front of it. Then I started to fill in the area around it. 


 I found this heavy glass dome at a thrift store (pretty sure it had been from a light fixture) and I knew it would probably fit the round wood base I already had. The board is a little wavy so the glass doesn't fit precisely in the groove, but close enough for my taste. Just the thing-one large, simple piece I needed for the top of the fireplace heater. Another bird (can you ever have too many?) and a white bottle brush tree with that little flag from my birthday that I love so much, complete the display.
 



I filled a large blue-green basket with pine cones, a vintage style glittered bird and large glittered snowflake, and...




...these darling vintage sheet music origami boxes, made by my daughter Tess a few years back. 

Then I put up a black shelf above the white brick panel to hold all the "pretties" you need on a mantel. I also thought it helped balance out the black of the fireplace. 




 I had the hardest time photographing it, but I made a miniature flag bunting with fabric scraps and rubber stamp letters that says, "Let Heaven and Nature Sing". I hung it in the space between the black mantel shelf and the white trim on the brick panel for another layer of interest and texture and cuteness.
 







Now to add some pretty stuff to the shelf.


Some sweet little glass candlesticks that belonged to my Grandma a frosted pine cone in a silver vase and a vintage inspired postcard.


 A little mercury glass bird, a real bird's nest, and a little stand I made from an ironstone bowl and silver candlestick, filled with vintage looking ornaments, and a small glittered star.



I hung a chippy white antique window above the shelf and layered a vintage mirror behind it and a John Derian deer ornament in front.





The view from the bed.

I brought in my little work-in-progress chair. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it up and do a post about it soon. See the stuff on the desk? Yeah, don't look over there : )

  
What do you think? Doesn't the little black box look much more charming with a little simulated mantel?

  
I think it's looking pretty cozy. I might just have my coffee here in the morning. I'll show you the rest of my bedroom soon....when it learns to behave and pick up after itself.


Night night, all!

P.S. Don't forget to check out Part 2 of the free vintage Christmas images I'm sharing from my Grandpa's childhood book! I'll be sharing the last several images in the next day or so-stay tuned!


See you over at:
  



























30 comments:

  1. What a creative idea. I like that you did it with things that you already had. The mercury glass pieces are stunning.

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  2. Does my continually playing fake DVD fire and my yellow space heater with my very own faux mantel count?!!! :) This is SO SO SO sweet, and true Jeanette inspiration! I loved it! I will share one of my own Christmas vignettes so you won't worry TOO much about me. Above my range is a hard place to decorate, but one of the few shelves I have. I've been saving these cool green olive oil bottles and had also collected some frosted glass bottles in unique shapes... with some small red votive candle holders and my Christmas bowl it looks quite colorful and festive! My "Neels' vignette" is up also... keep creating and have the kids do the dusting! :) Lots of love, Dina

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    Replies
    1. Dina, I just can't believe this is going to be your third Christmas in China! I guess if my friend can adjust to her DVD fire with grace and humor I should stop complaining about my lack of a real fire here : ) So many of my pretty little things have thoughts and memories of you attached! I did see a photo one of the girls posted of your tree, but I would love it if they would take some more and post them or just email them to me! I'd love to send something little with William. I said hello to him at church this morning, but didn't think to ask him about his travel dates.
      Lots of love back and happy Advent!

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  3. I absolutely ADORE this project! What an amazing redo, and a lovely John Derian ornament too (you have to coin that it's awesome) I think my fantel has hope now friend :)

    xoxo, Tanya
    twelveOeight

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tanya! Is "fantel" a term for faux mantel? Funny! I'm so clueless sometimes : )
      Thanks for the encouragement!

      Jeanette

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  4. I totally understand your pain of missing
    your real fireplace. I left in my old house
    in Illinois, a huge black marble fireplace
    and when I got to my new Townhouse in Florida
    I wanted to build one, but the HOA laughed at
    me.. so I built my own faux.. a bit crude but it's
    giving me the feeling also.
    I tell the story of how I built it on my mantel
    post..
    Your decorations are beautiful.
    Happy Holidays to you and your family.
    Sandy

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    Replies
    1. Hello Sandy,
      Thanks for sharing your fireplace story with me, I appreciate your visit. I will come check out your mantel post. Happy Holidays to you as well!

      Jeanette

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  5. Hi Jeannette, I found you over at Debbiedoo's newbie party. Looks like we started blogging at nearly the same time! This is such a neat project. Who would ever guess that you started with a discarded crib panel?? The finished result is very charming and cozy. You must be so proud! Great job turning someone else's trash into a true treasure.
    Debbie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the kind words, Debbie. It really was a fun little project. I appreciate you stopping by and I'll come visit you back!

      Jeanette

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  6. this is really beautiful. Love how you pulled all the pieces together. The backdrop for the electric stove/heater is perfect. Nothing like a a fire to cozy up a place. I have actually considered getting one of those for our living room. Don't really want a real fire with children around

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Daniela. I would recommend one of these if you want the cozy feel without the real flames. I remember when we did have a real fireplace-and the kids were smaller-it was a little unnerving having to make sure they were safe around the fire. Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. We just purchased a home without a fireplace and REALLY miss it! I too have a little electric heater that looks almost like yours...I see a mantel in my future, now I just need to hunt down all the pieces. This is really cool, love the addition of the shelf and especially the window and mirror above that. All the layers is what makes this just the perfect little space! Thanks for the inspiration!
    Crafty Hugs,
    Pendra

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words, Pendra! If you are interested in re-creating something similar, Lowe's has the faux brick panels very inexpensively. I appreciate your visit!

      Jeanette

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  8. Brilliant, love the faux mantel!!! and all the white, silver,

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  9. Your faux mantel turned out great. It makes a great backdrop. I also like how you used the old window. Very clever.
    I'm a new follower and hope you can stop by for a visit.
    Mary Alice

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting and following, Mary Alice. I'll be over to visit you back soon!

      Jeanette

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  10. Hi Jeanette, I love this project! It turned out great! I wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. You can read more about it here: http://www.mendezmanor.com/2012/12/liebster-award.html Happy Holidays!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Nicole, and how fun about the Liebster! I'll be over to check it out further. Merry Christmas!

      Jeanette

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  11. Looks amazing!!! I am the queen of the faux mantel....I have five of them!!! Lol Yours looks great!!! Thanks for comin to Welcome Home Wednesday...Deb:)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deb! FIVE faux mantels?? You really are the queen! :)
      Thanks again for hosting the link party!

      Jeanette

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  12. What a great idea! You are super resourceful and I admire that! Love what you created! Thanks for linking up to the Christmas Mantel Linky Party at Embracing Change!
    Stacey

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  13. Wow, what a huge transformation! I love it, especially the dome with the little bird. You are so creative!!

    Just a wanted to let you know our Silhouette Cameo Giveaway ends tonight, if you haven't entered yet or if you wanna get more entries! :) Have a great weekend!
    http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/giveaway-and-the-humble-brag-link-party-11/

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  14. I got some important tips on fireplace mantels which enhances the decorating room service. Well! I want to take some more idea on that also dynamic pictures. Well! You can consider the features of fireplace mantels with great circumstances then have a look at:www.architecturalstoneelements.com

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  15. Wow! this is really beautiful, your fireplace mantel and glass dome looks amazing. Its look pretty from the bed. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures with us.

    Marble Mantels

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