time for a change... a new 'mantel'!

in November 2020, i created something i had wanted for a long while:

a faux fireplace and mantel, as a photo backdrop.

using some spare lumber and white paint

i cobbled together a simple 'fireplace' and attached it to

the old wood gate that hangs on my studio wall

(my dad built it in the 80's and i swiped it when he built a new one in 2013!)

this backdrop has been in constant use since then, and has worked pretty well.

there have been a few times when it has not worked well -

usually when photographing a wreath or wall art

that was too big in scale to fit in the space above the mantel.
(and those sharp dark shadows from the 'firebox' drove me mad!)

in mid-December of '23, i decided it was time for a change

and tore that faux mantel and firebox enclosure apart!

the result is very satisfying.

continue reading for more details...

dwk

a little bit of work brought about the change i was looking for: 

a bit of putty and some bright white paint gave the gate a fresh look,

then i found another element salvaged from my parent's former home

that can be changed up very easily for whatever space requirements i have...

what i found was also already in my studio: a white wood flower box,

formerly attached to the front window of my parent's home.

and because i decided not to attach it to the wood gate backdrop, 

i have many options for how to use it as a photo prop...

above, it sits upside down, creating the effect of a mantel.

another thin board found in my garage sits on top,

covering up the drainage holes in the bottom (now top) of the flower box.

below, views of the flower box right side up, able to serve as a container

and on its side, looking a bit like two shelves:

my plan is to pick up two small-ish wood boxes that i can paint white,

then use on both ends to lift the flower box / mantel shelf up

to any height i might need for photo sessions.

this newly revamped decorative element in my studio

needed to be decorated!

 i grabbed the faux painted terra cotta trees created for Christmas,

a selection of my white vases, candle holders, and cups

and some of my favorite 'eyelash' yarn in mossy green

to pull together a simple winter season tableaux...

i liked this look, but it still needed more...

and an old piece of found wood in my stash had possibilities.

to see if my idea would work, 

i hung it by a length of thin green grosgrain ribbon above the row of trees - 

then repositioned the trees and lowered the board:

a quick bit of hand painting turned the old wood into a 'faux vintage' sign,

and finished off the winter 'mantel' arrangement just as i wanted...

it's a fresh, clean, almost 'snowy' look, perfect for winter!

 i freehand the lettering, 
but using stencils can give you a similar result.

add some 'age' to the dry lettering by using a 'dry brush' technique:
load a scraggly old brush with the same color paint as your background,

then dab most of it off on a paper towel.
then lightly drag the almost-dry brush across the lettering in one direction
to deposit an uneven amount of paint that will appear as aged + worn wood.

i also love how easily the tableaux can be changed:

removing the trees and 'moss', then adding candles to the vases

adorned by a few stems of dried seed pods from my backyard

gives the mantel another look in just minutes.

this simplicity is what my mind craves right now.

 i'm loving the peaceful way i feel when i look at it across from my desk,

and how the empty space lets me imagine all kinds of new things

that will be showing up here on the blog soon!

related content:

faux fireplace mantel 2020

faux terra cotta paint tutorial (on trees) 

shared online:

funky junk interiors | new upcycle ideas #710

thank you for featuring my project(s), Miss Donna!

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