Fireplace: Part Two

If you missed Part One, click HERE

After we got the 3 large pieces of MDF on there it was time to roll and tackle those amazing details that would bring it all together.

Tools:
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Router and Bit (optional: see below)
Nail Gun

We put Crown Molding at the top

Here's a shot looking up at it. The piece that is hanging over is the quarter round.

To connect the top MDF piece to the crown molding (in a good lookin way) my husband used a quarter round. After, he said instead of the quarter round he could have just rounded the MDF with the router we have. But it works out the same.

Working with a corner fireplace is twice as hard. Here is how the molding and MDF meet the wall.

Dramatic Molding was added to the base

My husband cut a little "lip" in the bottom of the base to fit nicely around the tile.

I absolutely LOVED how Karla designed the MDF pieces to accent around the sides. To do this you will need a Router. I also learned (from my husband) that there are a million "bits" you can pick from. We stuck with a rounded edge just because it is more durable and with twin boys around, we always go the safe route.

TIP: If you don't have a router and don't want to buy one (we got ours on craigslist) just use molding pieces to make squares (like wainscoting). You will have a really great look without having to mess with another tool!

I couldn't just stop at the mantel. I had to extend my fireplace to the dramatic 9' ceilings we have!
I decided to use 1x4 Pine, instead of molding, to line the wall and along the ceilings. I just LOVE that look more and it creates clean lines while adding some traditional "craftsman" style. I also added the little boxes of molding in the middle, bringing a little of our wainscoting in the office into the front room.

This is a shot of the top corner, the ceiling. We used some molding pieces inside of the Pine.

This is at the bottom corner

TIP: My husband didn't put these mesh into the corner. He took them out a little more so they would meet up the same and create their own "corner"

After all that hard work and accurate measuring me and my husband created a stunning look!

But wait.... there is always that darn finish work!

We caulked all around the MDF cut-outs, around the Pine, around the crown molding, around the baseboards and even where the MDF meets the tile. Then we sanded and spackled every nail hole at least a couple times (if not 3-4 times).

TIP

TIP: My husband read online that when dealing with freshly cut MDF you will want to "seal" the edges so that it won't suck up the paint. We sealed all the edges of our MDF accent cut-outs.
Recipe: 4 parts wood glue to 1 part water to make a soupy paint.

Now we are ready to paint :)