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How to Add Woodwork Above the Mantle/Fireplace

With it now being September and the Fall season on the brink my mind has naturally shifted to  mantles and fireplaces.  I want to share an easy DIY that has made a huge impact on the aesthetics of our mantle and  family room.

ESD Homes via Houzz

It all started back a few years ago before we bought our house.  At the time we were planning on building a house and we were in the process of making all kinds of selections for the new home.

One of the options for the fireplace mantle was having woodwork trimmed out above the mantle.  The photo below is what the builder’s sales rep showed me to demonstrate what it would look like.

woodwork

Um, yes please we’ll take that option is what I had told her.  I loved it!  All the white molding looked beautiful and really made the fireplace/mantle the focal point of the room.

So when we didn’t end up building (long story, you can read all about it here) I was left with an unfulfilled hope of having a white fireplace with white woodwork above it! 🙁

Nevertheless, I was determined to get the look of these mantles!

Brighton Homes via Houzz

 

Brainerd Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Traditional Cabinetry LLC via Houzz

 

 via Houzz

 

Taste Design Inc via Houzz

 

And my determination paid off (so can yours)!  Here is our fireplace and mantle when we bought the house.

 

The Before
Family Room Fireplace

 

and here it is now, the After!
Wood Trim Above Mantle After
DSC00220
how to decorate with hierlooms

 

Believe it or not this is a pretty easy and inexpensive DIY.  Here are the steps I took to get this dramatic change.

Above Mantle

Note:  Be sure to line it up with the width of the fireplace not the mantle.  Use 1 1/2 inch finishing nails.  If you don’t use a nail gun be sure to drill pilot holes through the wood before nailing.
Wood Work Above Mantle Step 2
Note:  No need to miter just sit the 1×4’s directly on the 1×2.  You can go back and caulk later.

Wood Work Above Fireplace Step 3

Wood Work Above Mantle Step 4

Step 5 paint mantle woodwork white

Note:  An optional 6th step is to add crown molding to the top of the woodwork (to the 1×4 on the very top).  I didn’t at first and still really loved how it looked even without the crown molding.  I ended up having it crowned when the rest of the room was getting crown molding.

I really don’t think crown molding is necessary for this DIY but if you are interested here is youtube video on how to make these cuts.

That’s it!  The project went quickly and probably came to about $60 including the price of paint, wood, nails, and paint supplies.  Lots of bang for the buck!

And because I love a dramatic before & after let’s do it one more time.:-)

Family Room Fireplace
How to Add Woodwork Above Your Mantle

I’d love to hear if you end up doing this project and of course let me know if you have any questions!!

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before and afters// decorating// DIY// tutorials// woodwork7 Comments

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Comments

  1. Mary says

    Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 9:15 am

    That looks fabulous, I pinned it. Our fireplace has the brick going all the way to the ceiling, and I’m always looking for ideas on how to break up all that brick. Saw your link at Work it Wednesday, thanks for sharing.

    ~ Mary

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 9:24 am

      You are so welcome, Mary! Thanks for coming by!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kathryn says

    Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 9:09 am

    This is crazy good. What a beautiful room!. The impact of that woodwork is phenomenal.

    I just discovered your site and yay for me! I’ve already found two projects I intend to take on–this one and the Ballard knockoff abstracts. Both projects dovetail perfectly with the look I’m creating in my home. In addition to your projects being beautiful, your tutorials make them so do-able.

    You are seriously talented.

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 9:36 am

      Kathryn, that makes me so happy to hear!! I’m so glad you were inspired here and feel the projects I share are doable! Thank you for taking the time to say hi!:-)

      Reply
  3. Christina says

    Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 8:25 am

    Hello!

    Is there a specific type of wood to use?

    Reply
    • Tamara says

      Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 10:06 pm

      Nope, any wood! I like using pre-primed mdf. Just ask a worker at Home Depot or lowes and they can steer you in the right direction!👍

      Reply

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