This task began as an plan in my head, how could I renovate the free electrical hearth that arrived with the Florida property we bought. You can see the initial fire in those people authentic estate listing shots from earlier this yr. All summer extensive I didn’t bother with the concept of a hearth in Florida with 90+ diploma days. I experienced saved the electrical fireplace in yet another space contemplating I would sell it.
But when I returned in November it was chilly and I believed how pleasant it would be to have a fire as a source of warmth. I enjoy a hearth as a focal stage in residing and loved ones rooms, and I usually had in the back of my mind an strategy to construct a floor to ceiling electrical fireplace encompass in the living area in this residence. As a substitute I resolved to rework the a person I experienced on web page. Could it be performed? Could I give it a fresher look, just one that complemented the model of the home? What did I have to eliminate? I’m content to report my experiment worked!
The fireplace appears to be totally diverse than when I started out. It has a present day smooth textured end with cleaner traces that is painted the identical neutral white as the walls. I experienced to give it a whole makeover which was no simple task!
The one particular below is what I begun with, you can see it is 1 of people simple items that can be bought on the web, but regrettably the model did not suit my coastal-satisfies-present day aesthetic. I did not like the regular trim, the slim routed legs, or the glass and stone tile experience. I desired one thing much more easy, modern day and up to date, a thing that would recede into the history and glance like it belonged.
I really do not have a miter noticed in Florida nonetheless. I only have just one in California, so if I was going to tackle this venture it had to be done with primary resources, easy supplies, and some aid from the lumber chopping department at Lowe’s.
I began by deconstructing the fire and using it apart. I experienced to realize how it was place collectively if I was going to remove parts and even now have a doing the job composition. It exposed it was a hollow MDF body held with each other by pegs, screws, and cam bolts.
It was cheap development but experienced just plenty of composition to function with. I started taking away the decorative trim I did not want which had to be carefully carried out so I wouldn’t destruction the frame I prepared to retain.
Up coming I thoroughly removed the tile on the entrance designed of glass and stone. It was glued on rather properly so I was lucky I remembered to use goggles and gloves simply because shards ended up popping everywhere!
Now was the second of real truth, could I place it all again together so that it was structurally seem? Why of course, it was! Just in need to have of a fully different complete.
I realized I preferred a wall texture finish but wall texture does not adhere to painted MDF so I came up with a plan to wrap it in skinny hardboard panels, the variety you use for developing board and batten wall treatments or lining the backs of bookcases. I applied a single of these hardboard panels I located at Residence Depot and trimmed it piece by piece with a blade to suit the fireplace body. I glued them on with Gorilla glue and secured them with pin nails.
I purposely attached them with the rough back again side facing out so that the joint compound I was organizing to use would cling to the surface area.
This section was time consuming since each and every piece had to be cut to precise dimensions and the hardboard panels are challenging to lower with just a blade. With persistence I was able to do it and address all of the vertical sides of the structure.
Now it was time for the new mantel! I required a thing bigger with a thicker top so I acquired a 16” piece of pine for the top and 1×3” strips for the sides and experienced them cut to the ideal measurements at Lowe’s in the lumber section. I screwed them all jointly and to the leading of the construction by predrilling holes with drill bits and signing up for them with each other with wood screws.
Finally to join the hardboard panel items and easy the corners I made use of joint tape secured with additional gorilla glue to ensure it would stick.
This is the final body just before the software of the joint compound:
I was a little nervous at this point due to the fact I could see the new form but questioned if the joint compound complete would operate. I used two coats of joint compound to the hearth surround, allowing them to dry for 24 hours between coats and sanding in amongst. When it was dry and sanded I primed the piece and then painted it the identical color as the wall.
It all arrived alongside one another properly as I imagined and the overall job only cost me about $60. So content!
The facet watch of the starting off point….
And the after:
I however have to hide the hearth twine, you can see it popping out on the facet. I notched the fireplace’s facet wall just sufficient to let the wire to healthy as a result of and prepare to paint it the similar coloration as the wall so it blends in and use small U shaped staples to maintain it in spot versus the baseboard.
Total I’m pretty pleased with the final result! The proportions of the fire match the wall properly with room for sconces and chairs. It is evidence that with eyesight and a few instruments and supplies you can renovate pieces to suit your type!
The electrical fire insert is so excellent, it has numerous ranges of flame and temperature and a remote management that goes with it. The night time it was full it rained so I opened the doorway and listened to the rain even though I sat by the hearth admiring my get the job done!
I’m sharing the complete venture in video on Instagram Reels and you can see how cozy it is at night in that video clip.
To the dwelling room house, I also extra a spherical espresso desk to the house and my sofa will be sent in January, then I’ll insert some pillows and the home will be comprehensive!
There was a console I had sitting on the fireplace wall but I moved it to the opposite wall so it is upcoming to the entrance door, the fantastic spot to fall keys, mail, etcetera.
This residence will be rented January by means of May possibly so I’m happy with how far it is appear considering that we acquired it in April. I’ll share other space advancements in this household shortly. 🙂
