DIY | Fireplace Mantel

It's finally done! I've only been talking about it for the last year or so and here it is. Another DIY project... the fireplace mantel.

After finding it online over a year ago and putting it on my to build. pinterest board, it's finally here. At first it was on the hubby's to-do-list... but with just a week left until the baby shower, the brother-in-law came to the rescue.

You probably remember me talking about it (here and here). After searching for the original website it came from (Sweet Something Design), I found their plans on the fireplace facelift they did. Problem was, we didn't have an existing fireplace to cover up. So it was looking at those plans and this picture (oh I can only hope my Christmas mantel will look this good) that the BIL built my dream mantel.

sweet something design.

I'll try and explain as best as I can how he did it... really I'm not quite sure. But I have progress pics and he's available for hire (no lie.. just contact me for more info). So let's take a look and see what he did along the way.

First, him and the hubs cut a hole in the wall... it wasn't weight baring but I was still scared. Then he framed out the fireplace using 1x3s and 2x4s I believe... and then covered it all up with some MDF. The hubs made the grid at the top and then we painted it with like 5 coats of paint - pain in my butt!! But I guess you could say it was well worth it... and the dust we accumulated during the building phase!

Anyways, here's what it looks like today... all dolled up:

That's it! Another item off the list... the long long list. I can't wait to decorate it and share the pics with you for Christmas!!

Oh... did I mention that the hunny-do-list is only going to get longer? Yup, today was my last day of work and I'm off on maternity leave for a whole year! I think the hubs is slightly scared at the ripped apart rooms (or as I'd like to call them - projects) that he might come home to. I have so many ideas and I'm not afraid to test out his workshop. Anyways, that is it for now! Happy weekend everyone!

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