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Lilies and Life - Interior Decorating | Blog | Home Decor | DIY

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DIY Simple Mantle

in DIY & Home Decor on 10/03/17

Once that masonry work was done on our fireplace, we needed a new mantle.  We decided to make a simple “L” shaped mantle with one flat side laying on top of the current concrete mantle and one hanging down over the new, beautiful stones.  Below are the instructions to our DIY Mantle!

Here is an image of the old fireplace and mantle:

Here is a list of supplies needed for a DIY Simple Mantle:

2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 13

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

Step 1:  Build Mantle

We found a lumber mill that sold us two 14 feet long pieces of poplar wood for only $60!  We chose poplar as the wood for the mantle because when painted, poplar allows for a grain free finish.  We nailed and glued the mantle into the “L” shape.

Step 2: Spackle Nail holes

Once the mantle dried overnight we were ready to fill in the nail holes!  I used lightweight spackle to fill in all the nail holes.  Once the spackle has completely dried you can lightly sand the spackle to a smooth finish

NOTE: If you plan to stain your mantle use wood filler instead of spackle so the holes will look more natural.

Step 3: Sand, Sand, & Sand

This step is so important if you want the mantle to be smooth.  So we used a belt sander and sanded the mantle A LOT.  We also used the sanding sponge to sand the spackle from the nail holes.

Step 4: Paint (or stain)

To paint the mantle, I used a paint roller frame and brush and it only took me about two minutes! I did two coats of the Sherwin Williams Pure White.

Note: If you are staining your mantle use an old rag to stain.  I really love the Dark Walnut Stain.  I recently used this stain color on our DIY Sofa Table (new post to come).

Step 5: Install!  

Once the paint dried, we glued the mantle to the original concrete mantle with Liquid Nails Adhesive.  Then sat very heavy objects on top to let it dry and cure.  After 48 hours we had a finished mantle!!  

DIY wooden Mantle created to cover old ugly cement mantle in full fireplace remodel.  Simple DIY home improvement idea! #Fireplace #mantle

See our Fireplace Reveal using the mantle we built here!

10 Comments

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Fireplace Reveal »

Comments

  1. Afton Jackson says

    10/07/2019 at 5:10 PM

    It is good to see how you made an already good cement mantle to a better one. I like how you used an abrasive belt grinder to smoothen the edges. If ever, we could use your knowledge of heavy construction equipment to help us out.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      10/08/2019 at 3:45 PM

      Thank you! It was a pretty simple project that made a huge difference 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sawyer says

    10/17/2019 at 1:17 AM

    Hi Emily,
    Do you have any video tutorial?
    Sawyer recently posted…5 Power Saw Safety TipsMy Profile

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      10/23/2019 at 3:40 PM

      Sawyer, Thanks for reaching out! I have been thinking about videos. Thank you for the suggestion!

      Reply
  3. Catty Adrien says

    11/12/2019 at 4:34 AM

    Thanks for sharing Nice post.it’s very helpful information for everyone.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      11/20/2019 at 12:53 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. john says

    11/30/2019 at 11:50 PM

    Very interesting and informative article. Loved it and enjoyed reading it.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      12/04/2019 at 8:13 AM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Afton Jackson says

    01/03/2020 at 2:05 PM

    I like that you have layered your concrete with ornate bricks with a color that fits your facade. My wife and I would love it if we do this in our fireplace as well. If only there is a contractor nearby that can help us with concrete services at home.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      01/04/2020 at 7:58 PM

      Thank you! We used a local tile person. Usually someone that does tile can also do masonry work. Good luck with your project!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Emily! I’m an Interior designer, decorator and blogger.  I help overwhelmed homeowners and DIYers bring timeless design and function into their home so they can love their space and the life they are building within it!  Thank you for visiting 🙂

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I call this the "Nail Hole Filling Crawl" 😂 T I call this the "Nail Hole Filling Crawl" 😂 

Today my Home Improvement Challenge is all about nail holes. Over the course of a few years, we have switched out ALL of our wood stained trim to white trim.  This led to the filling in of LOTS of nail holes.  If you know... you know...😩

(Swipe for a before pic of this space➡️)

I have asked Jeremy from @restorationvalley to give us some tips on how to fill those pesky nail holes. Want to watch his entire video? Join the challenge via the link in my bio!

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#homeandliving #hgtvdesign #homebunch
First project of my Home Improvement Challenge DON First project of my Home Improvement Challenge DONE!

It probably isn't very noticeable to a lot  of people but it was bugging the crap out of me😩

-Filled in a few nail holes on the trim around the window
-Sanded
-Fresh coat of paint!

It's looking fresh! 

#homedecorblogger #interiordesign #interiorinspiration #homeblogger #decoratingideas #decoratingonabudget #decorideas #decorating #Minnesotadecorating #kitchendecor #kitchencountertopdecor #kitchen decor
Is your husband not aboard for my Home Improvement Is your husband not aboard for my Home Improvement Challenge?  Here are a few tips to get him excited:

1. Buy him beer🍺
2. Let him choose the order in which you do the projects👍
3. Practice using his love language 😉
4. Buy him more beer🤣

(Shout-out to my husband who hates taking photos and agreed to this😜)

My Home Improvement Challenge starts TODAY!!🎉 Still want to join?? Join the challenge by clicking the link in my bio!

#DIYer #DIYprojects #homeimprovements #diy #interiordesign #interiorinspiration #homeblogger #decoratingideas #decoratingonabudget #decorideas #decorating #Minnesotadecorating #spackling #diyhome  #countryliving #houseandhome #interiorliving #myheartandhomestyle #shareafarmhouse #myhomeobsession #howwefarmhouse #modernfarmhouse  #homebeautiful #springdecor #springdecorating #powertools #paintingtips #diytips #diytutorials #diyrenovation
The private Facebook group is LIVE. Search for "Em The private Facebook group is LIVE. Search for "Emily's Home Improvement Challenge" and request to join or DM and I can add you😊

Here we go💪💪

Are any of these projects on your To Do list:

-Patching that sheetrock hole
-Filling in nail holes (this is definitely on mine!)
-Painting
-Putting together a piece of furniture
-Caulking that crack
-Touching up with paint
-Hang the curtain rod
-Install the new light fixture (BYE BYE BOOK LIGHTS?! :))
-Landscaping project
-Planting grass

This list could go on FOREVER but if you have a project you have been avoiding because it's small or annoying, join my new #HomeImprovementChallenge starting April 12th!!

Use my Room Task Tracker PDF to organize all your projects!

#DIYprojects
#homeprojects
#homedesigntips #homebunch #sherwinwilliamspaint #sherwinwilliams #paintcolorideas #decoratingonabudget #decorideas #decorating #Minnesotadecorating #spackling #diyhome  #countryliving #houseandhome #interiorliving #myheartandhomestyle #shareafarmhouse #rochmn #minnesotahomes
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