To hide a dowdy fire surround, a frame, easily adapted to the desired size, is fitted around the fireplace. It is given the look of old wood with a white liming solution.
Materials
Structural steel equal angles 25mm x 25mm x 3mm thick (lengths depend on fireplace size)
Spirit level
Salvaged 100mm x 25mm thick tongue and groove floorboards
Electric drill with high speed drill bits for metal
Hacksaw
Liming solution and wood stain
Step one: remove existing fire surround. Pre-drill the steel angles at 200mm centres on both sides. The edges of the timber floorboards that touch the wall will have to be secured in place with the steel angles, screwed to the wall first, then the timber. You will need to secure two vertical lengths against the wall and a horizontal one to support shelf. Use spirit level to make sure that your angles are fixed correctly.
Step two: the cut lengths of floorboards will have to be screwed to the metal angles from the inside. Secure sides first, then top.
Step three: secure the same-sized steel angles to the wall for the smaller of the two arches, the one nearer the hearth. Fit front floorboards and screw them into place from the sides.
Step four: mix desired shade of woodstain into liming white solution at a ratio of 1 to 20. Apply with brush, allow to dry for one to two minutes, then wipe off with a rag, allowing limed colour to remain in grain.
This project can be made using new or salvaged/recycled floorboards that can be readily obtained at up to 280mm widths. It is essential that the wood be in sound condition, straight and perfectly dry.
