A dollhouse fireplace from mat board

 

This is a great way to get a custom fireplace in any design.

First, I cut the two curved sides after drawing a template on paper and tracing it onto mat board.

Above you can see I also cut the top front and side pieces.

Once you decide on your width, cut a spacer and glue it in-between in the top and bottom of the curved sections.

Then add a little wood glue to attach the top sides. Then glue on the front.

Once your two curved sides are framed and dry, line them up and determine how wide you want the fireplace face. Then cut the front pieces out and place them in-between. I added glue to their edges and placed them in and used foam board and wood scraps to keep them at the height I wanted while they dried.

Next, get some Bristol board and mark the width at the top and bottom of the curved sides. Cut it out.

Score lightly with your knife for the bottom where the curve goes straight to the base.

Hold it on the curve and determine if it needs to be trimmed before gluing.

Run some wood glue along the curved sides and hold the Bristol board down while smoothening it to adhere to the curved frames until it sticks.

Glue on any decorative elements and then glue on the mental top. I gave it a light grey and white dry brush effect by loosely mixing grey and white and brushing it on quickly. Shown here before painting.

This is the start of the upstairs fireplace. I started with the fireplace face then determined how deep I wanted it and cut the sides. Then I cut the inside frame work.

After it is assembled I add decorative elements and trim.

Paint with a base coat and use wood glue to fill in any holes. Then sand with fine sandpaper to smooth out any rough areas.

I wanted some crackle on the upstairs fireplace, so I brushed on some dark grey and let it dry. Then I brushed the crackle medium on and let it dry. Then I painted white all over the piece and let it crack!

A friend gave me a sample of this textured brick paper. I brushed some black pastel on them and also on the insides of the fireplaces and will glue that to the wall. Then will glue the fireplaces on after I make the hearth.

But first I have to install the herringbone wood flooring. Stay tuned!