Do you remember when we ran to Alabama the summer before last, right before our move to the rental? We fell in love with this HUGE antique fireplace mantel. And, made plans to build our fireplace around it. Well, you know how the house building idea wound up. ???? So, into the Woods and Ivy Cottage it went. I LOVE the shape of it and I wish you could all see it in person. It is MASSIVE. It’s 7′ wide and over 5′ tall. I loved everything about it except the color. It appeared a little too gray to me. So, I decided to give the mantel a little makeover. Keep scrolling for our mantel makeover tips.
When we first brought it home to the rental, we used it as a head board. It worked out perfect. And, then I moved it out into the living room behind the couch and decorated it each month with a different theme. Well… as soon as we finished our fireplace brick wall at our cottage last week, that beast was promptly installed there.
I loved everything about our fireplace mantel except the color. It appeared a little too gray to me. So, I decided to give the mantel a little makeover. Using the same white paint as the trim will be in the cottage, and the brick wall, I gave it a light coat of paint. There were so many old layers that weren’t visible in photographs. So it was easy to create more of a white wash look.
It is now more my style and it will go so well with my woods and whites that I love so much.
I have had people ask over on social media if this fireplace mantel will stay here in the cottage when Deb makes this space into a workshop. And, I can’t answer that. ???? The electric fireplace insert (that project is coming soon) will definitely stay so she will want some type of mantel. It probably all depends if we find another one that we love just as much.
We have so many projects coming up that I will be sharing here soon, including a bead board wall in the kitchen, the electric fireplace that I mentioned above, the flooring that is already installed, and the front porch lights. So stay tuned for all of that fun!
What do you think? ????
We may earn a small commission when you use one of our links to make a purchase.
Holy Cow!!! That looks amazing! You ladies have such an eye for gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful!
Holy Cow!!! That looks amazing! I love it!
It’s just perfect for your space and it the color looks great. Are you putting a gas insert. Looking forward for the next then the next, always something to lol forward to when you have your list.
So in love with everything in your cottage! Look forward to your stories and post daily!
I absolutely love it! Your ideas give me such vision on what I will start to plan once I’m able to update my farmhouse. I love the woods and whites but I think I will also use some muted color in small ways around my house. Thank you for being such an inspiration!
Did you uninstall it for the floors? Or was there enough room to slide a floor plank underneath it? It’s a beautiful beast! and really makes a statement in the room. I’m watching your vids every day because I’m so happy to watch the workshop become a home. Thanks for taking us along for the projects and all the fun.
I loved it in the bedroom and didn’t think it could look any better. I was wrong! It’s amazing!!????
Your mantle is superb I just love it ????……..and the wooden candle sticks and rattan basket make a real statement……..I’m in love with your cottage in the woods…….I’m from Australia and we don’t have a lot of the variety you guys do in the States……..stay safe, and keep on playing I just love what you guys do ????????????????????
Absolutely beautiful! Always look forward to your posts.
Your mantel is beautiful. What technique did you use to distress it? My husband is makung me an island for the kitchen and the way you made the mantel look is exactly how I want my island to look. I also was wondering why you painted the red brick white instead of just buying the white?
LOVE your mantle! Your makeover turned out superb! I love seeing and reading about all of your cottage updates here on your blog since I’m not on ig anymore I miss out on a lot.???? Love you guys so much! ????
LOVE IT!!!! I can’t get over how massive this mantle is in 5e cottage! It dwarfs you both! Love all your touches you both have done and can’t wait for the rest of your journey
Love the mantel! Looks so good!!
Thank you, Katie!
Love this. We bought a mantle very much like this. Want to put it in my living room but don’t know how to mount it. How did you mount the mantle to the walls?
We screwed it right through the mantel to the stud in the wall. Then, we filled the hole to cover the screw.
I have to say…… I love your mantle!!!! It’s absolutely beautiful!!!!!