DIY Mantel Makeover #CompleteWithGlade

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That's the American Dream right? A home with a fireplace and a mantel for decorating, hanging stockings on, and gathering around. When we bought our house almost 10 years ago, our fireplace and mantel was anything but dreamy. Luckily, making over your mantel and fireplace surround is a weekend job with a little help from The Home Depot. Making that new mantel part of your home, well, that's where Glade^® comes in!

Our fireplace was ugly. Here's what was wrong with it:

• the metal part (black) was scratched, which made it look dirty all the time
• the rock surround was the same rock used on the front of our house and it was falling off. It was too rustic for our style!
• the mantle was drywall with rounded corners and textured finish. U-G-L-Y!
• the hearth stones were not even glued down! We pulled up the carpet to replace the floor and saw that the stones were just sitting atop the concrete slab!

Summer is the perfect time for home improvement projects. Even though a mantel is a feature we often think about in winter, it's the heart of the home and gives it a warm, welcoming feel no matter the time of year, just like Glade^® products make a house feel like a home! The first step for a home improvement project like this DIY mantel makeover is a trip to The Home Depot.

We stopped at our local The Home Depot to pick up all the supplies to create our new mantle and fireplace surround, including Glade^® Room Spray, Glade^® Wax Melts, and Glade^® PlugIns^® Scented Oil Warmer. Did you know that The Home Depot carries a wide array of Glade^® products including favorite scents like Hawaiian Breeze^®, Cashmere Woods^®, and Clean Linen^®? Pick up your favorite Glade scents in a Glade^® Room Spray, Glade^® Wax Melts, or Glade^® PlugIns^® Scented Oil Warmer to complete the transformation of your new fireplace.

How do each of the Glade^® products work in your home?

• Glade^® Room Spray eliminates odors and freshens the air. Each Room Spray is infused with essential oil extracts and comes in a variety of fragrances to make your home inviting!
• Glade^® Wax Melts help even your largest rooms fill with a boost of flameless fragrance. Cubes of scented wax melt to release fragrance lasting up to 96 hours.
• Glade^® PlugIns^® Scented Oil allow continuous fragrance for any size room via the Glade^® PlugIns^® Scented Oil Warmer. Plug in the warmer for long­ lasting fragrance and adjust for any size room in your home.

We picked up an assortment of Glade^® Room Spray, Glade^® Wax Melts, a Glade^® PlugIns^® Scented Oil Warmer, and Glade^® PlugIns^® Scented Oil at The Home Depot. We use these all throughout the house to evoke a sense of warmth and home throughout. Now, let's get started on that DIY mantel makeover!

Here's what you'll need to replace your fireplace surround and mantle:

Surround:

• Backer Board
• Backer Board Screws
• Pre-Mixed Thinset Mortar
• Stacked Stone Pieces (Special Order from The Home Depot)

Fireplace:

• High Heat Appliance Spray Paint in Black (flat)

Mantle:

• MDF wood sheets, 1/2″ thick
• Assorted Molding
• White Gloss Enamel Paint
• Paint Brush
• Caulk
• Finishing Nails
• Wood Screws
• Wood Filler

Tools:

• Miter Saw
• Pry Bar
• Hammer
• Electric Drill
• Trowel
• Finishing Nail Set
• Tile Saw
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Level

Start by turning off any gas or power to the fireplace. We switched off the breaker for the fireplace at the breaker box and turned off the gas to the fireplace. Check your fireplace to see if there is a gas shut-off switch. Call your utility with questions before you start this process. Also, be sure to wear eye protection and gloves when handling tools and during demolition.

Here's what our fireplace looked like BEFORE the demolition and remodel:

We removed the dry wall from the mantle area, any nails, and the stone from the stone surround with a pry bar. Remove the drywall only over the area where you want to apply stone. Scrape any leftover mortar from the metal fireplace surround.

We carefully pried the hearth stones up, removed the grout, and carried them to my garden where we re-used them as stepping stones.

Our gas fireplace does not need a hearth since we don't actually open it to place wood inside. Demo the fireplace down to the studs.

Cut the backer board down to cover the studs and any area that was previously covered with drywall. Attach with screws.

Measure the area the mantel will cover. Since our new mantel was slightly larger than the previous mantle, we built the mantel out with mdf sheet, cut to cover the existing drywall mantel. Attach mdf pieces together with screws and attach to the studs with screws. Use a level to make sure the mantel is level before screwing in place.

Dry fit the stone across the bottom left side of the fireplace surround. Use a tile saw to cut the stone to fit. Starting at the bottom left corner of the fireplace surround, use a trowel to apply pre-mixed thinset mortar to the backer board in small sections. Press the left-most stone piece to the mortar and wiggle to ensure the thinset is “stuck” across the entire back of the stone. Gently wiggle the stone piece all the way to the left edge of the fireplace surround and tight against the floor. Continue applying mortar and stone pieces to cover the entire fireplace surround, cutting stone pieces as needed and making sure the stones are pressed tight against one another. Allow to cure for 24 hours.

Apply molding to the mantle to cover any exposed dry wall and backer board. Layer the molding to add detail to the mantel. Apply three coats of white paint to the mdf and molding, sanding between coats.

Spray paint the metal fireplace surround after all the work is finished to avoid scratches or marks from the mortar after painting.

Mask off the stone and wood work, leaving only the metal fireplace surround exposed. Apply a coat of black high-heat appliance spray paint in a flat finish to the metal.

Allow to dry and remove masking. Replace or apply new flooring (that is another post, coming soon!). Now the fireplace and mantel are finished!!

Our entire room feels different with the new fireplace surround and mantel. I now love decorating the mantel all year long and can't wait for the seasons to change so I change the decor!

Sitting in my living room by this fireplace is so relaxing and serene. The whole room feels more airy, fresher, and more modern. And it smells great too, thanks to Glade^® products!

Pick up these Glade^® products at your local The Home Depot while you're getting supplies for your next home improvement project and make your home complete with Glade^®!

What's the ONE home improvement project in your home you want to tackle this year? Let me know in the comments section!