🖼️
The project:
I wanted to add the cosy ambience of a fireplace to my living room, using an electric fireplace insert for the cosy feel without the maintenance of a real fireplace!
- Materials:
- Assorted lengths of dressed pine leftover from other projects for the frame
- 2 x 12mm MDF Panel Standard 1200 x 900mm - https://www.bunnings.com.au/12mm-mdf-panel-standard-1200-x-900mm_p0590033
- Dulux Winter Terrace paint for main portion/Dulux Lexicon Quarter for skirting
- Bondall 250ml Monocel Satin Waterbased Clear Wood Varnish - https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondall-250ml-monocel-satin-waterbased-clear-wood-varnish_p0079566
- Tools:
Ozito circular saw and drill, spirit level, screws, measuring tape, nails, wood glue, Spakfilla, paintbrush and roller
- Step 1:
First photo shows the before of the area chosen for the fireplace. After purchasing the electric fireplace insert, I measured the area and drew a plan with required dimensions for the framing, including manufacturer recommendations for space around the heating element of the fireplace. Attaching to studs within the wall as support, built the frame to size using dressed pine I already had on hand. Flooring, skirting boards, etc. were left in place to allow removal of the fireplace in future if required.
- Step 2:
Once the framing was secured and tested to make sure the fit and height of fireplace was how I wanted it, 12mm MDF panels were cut to size and attached using glue and nails to cover the framing and form the face and sides of the fireplace. Used more dressed pine to create the skirting, attached using glue and nails. Spakfilla was used to cover any joins and nail holes ready for priming.
- Step 3:
Once the Spakfilla was dry and sanded, used primer over the face, sides and skirting of the fireplace.
- Step 4:
Once two coats of primer had dried, used Dulux Winter Terrace to paint the sides and face, and Dulux Lexicon Quarter for the skirting. Set the electric fireplace insert into place to confirm fitting. A Merbau panel was cut to size to form the top of the set up and coated using Boondall Water Based clear wood varnish. To give the illusion of extra thickness to the top panel, used offcuts of Merbau attached to the front and sides. The top panel was not attached to the frame to allow access to the PowerPoint behind the fireplace when required.
- Step 5:
Secured the fireplace within the framing, and placed the Merbau top into place. Scrap timber was attached above the fireplace insert and painted as a decorative element.
