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ByLauren
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The project I’ve been wanting to do for YEARS is finally finished!
Our federal colonial house deserved a federal colonial style fireplace to match, so we made it happen with a traditional molding makeover. (Just in time for Christmas.)
The simple mantel was totally fine before, but it was due for a paint job after these 8 years. So we figured, we might as well add some embellishments while we were at it.
Related: DIY-able Wall Molding Ideas to Add Character to Your Home
How to Add Traditional Molding to a Mantel
This project can totally be finished in 2 days. So if it’s something you want to do before Christmas hits, it’s definitely possible to tackle in a weekend!
All of the supplies for the project cost us $393 (not including our power tools).
There is a way to adapt this DIY project to get by with basic power tools without the use of a pricey compound miter saw, so you can save a little bit on the overall cost, if necessary.
Supplies
- Pair of Ekena Millwork 2 in. x 6 in. x 72 in. Fluted PVC Pilaster Moulding
- 2 – 3/4 in. x 5-1/4 in. x 8 ft. MDF Fluted Casing
- 4 – 1 in. D X 1 in. W X 48 in. L Primed Traditional Hardwood Panel Moulding
- 16 linear feet – 1/2 in. x 3/4 in. Solid Pine S4S Molding
- Ekena Millwork 8 3/4 in. x 7 3/4 in. x 3/4 in. Dublin Wreath Onlay
- 2 – Ekena Millwork 5/8 in. x 3 in. x 4-1/4 in. Ashford Oval Rosette
- 1 in. x 12 in. x 16 in. edge-glued hardwood
- Heavy duty construction adhesive
- Latex caulk
- Bonding primer
- Behr Cabinet Doors & Trim Enamel in the color Even Better Beige
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Tape measure
- Level
- Pry bar
Tools
- Power drill/driver
- 23 gauge pin nailer
- Compact router kit (not totally necessary but does elevate the look a bit)
- Compound miter saw
Cheaper Power Tool Alternatives
For a less expensive approach, you can use a miter box and hand saw. Cutting the molding will take a little longer than a circular saw or compound miter saw, but it’s definitely do-able.
For a mid-range budget approach, you can use a circular saw. The cuts will take a little longer than a compound miter saw to get them exact, but it’s possible to make it work. You will still need to use the miter box and hand saw to handle any angled, miter cuts.
However, the fastest and most efficient saw to use for this project is a compound miter saw.
*It took us several years to save up for a compound miter saw, and we managed to do several molding projects just using a miter box and circular saw. You can also rent a miter saw, if you’d like.
Related: DIY Fireplace Ideas You Can Make Anywhere
To have a blank slate to work with, we used the pry bar to remove the existing molding under the mantel shelf first.
How to Add Pilaster and Plinth to Mantel Leg
- Measure the mantel leg from hearth to shelf.
2. Cut the pilaster molding in the middle at an angle on the miter saw to the length you need to fit the mantel leg. You’ll attach the pilaster molding in two separate pieces in the next step.
3. Add the top part of the pilaster molding to the mantel leg by pre-drilling at the plinth. Attach the molding to the facing leg with screws.
4. Repeat the process in step 3 attaching the bottom section of the pilaster molding.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 on the other mantel leg.
Adding a Fluted Mantel Header
- Measure the width of the header space between the two mantel legs.
2. Cut the square molding to the width of the header using either a circular saw or miter saw. Cut a second piece of square molding to the same length as the first.
3. Use a level to trace a line between the mantel legs as a guide for step 4. (The top square molding piece should be 1 inch below the shelf.)
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4. Attach the two square molding pieces to the lines at the top and bottom of the header with a pin nailer.
6. Measure the distance between the top and bottom square molding pieces on the header.
7. Cut two more square molding pieces to the measurement in step 6.
8. Cut multiple pieces of fluted casing to the same measurement in step 7.
9. We had to trim the edges of the fluted casing with the miter saw to make the fluted pattern look continuous on the header in the next step.
10. Attach the square molding pieces to the sides of the header with the pin nailer to make a box shape.
11. Then, attach the fluted casing pieces inside of the molding box.
12. Using the miter saw again (or the miter box and hand saw), add the 1 in traditional panel molding underneath the shelf. Wrap the plinth block with the same panel molding. Don’t stress too much about any small gaps. Caulk can fix a lot of woodworking sins.
How to Attach Onlays
1. Use a pencil to measure and mark the center of the plinth block on the pilaster molding.
2. Attach the onlays onto the center of the plinth blocks with heavy duty construction adhesive.
3. Make a center block with the edge-glued hardwood piece by cutting it to fit over the fluted molding on the header.
4. You can choose to leave a straight edge on the center block, but if you want to add a little detail, route the edges for a more traditional look.
5. Attach the hardwood block to the center of the header using wood screws (be sure to pre-drill first).
6. Add the wreath onlay to the block using construction adhesive.
7. Once all construction adhesive is dry, caulk all edges and fill all pin holes and screw holes with wood filler.
8. Once wood filler is dry, sand it smooth.
9. Finally, prime and paint.
Finished Federal Colonial Style Fireplace Molding
I love how this fireplace makeover turned out! And even better, the style matches the colonial style of our house, so it all feels cohesive together.
Since I had to choose the paint color in a hurry, I didn’t realize how light this color Behr Even Better Beige would be. I thought it would be a tad darker, but I like how it subtly stands out against our white walls (painted Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee).
Related: DIY Lime Washed Brick Fireplace – Easy Tutorial
Of course we couldn’t wait longer than 2 seconds to start styling it up for Christmas with my favorite pine garland.
I don’t know if I have the heart to cover up these pretty details with stockings, so those might end up relocated to the media room fireplace this year.
I’m thinking maybe I should paint our fireplace screen with high heat gold spray paint next. What do you think?
Living Room Decor Sources
- Bobbin bezel TV frame
- Samsung Frame TV
- Limewashed brick fireplace
- Norfolk pine garland
- Nordic pine Christmas tree
- Juniper stems
- Vase
- Rattan tray
- Gold sconce lights
- Rattan sconce shades
- Burgundy ribbon
- Leather recliner chairs
- Slipcovered sofas
- Rug (similar – ours is vintage)
- Coffee table books
- Fireplace screen (similar)
- Pinkie and Blue Boy art
More DIY Molding Ideas
- How to Install DIY Stair Wainscoting the Easy Way
- DIY-able Wall Molding Ideas to Add Character to Your Home
- DIY Fireplace Ideas You Can Make Anywhere
