DIY renovation Archives - A Dabbled Dwelling

Building a Stacked Mantle

I redesigned the fireplace and decided on building a stacked mantle. It is a design that features multiple layers or “tiers” of materials. That gives it a dimensional, built-up appearance while adding depth creating a more dramatic focal point around the fireplace. The stacked mantle required a lot of pre primed pine. I started with pre primed 1x4s creating a frame around the existing fireplace. The ends were mitered to create clean corners and the boards were attached using construction adhesive, then finishing nails in the corners.

Woman adds boards around a fireplace while building a mantle.

Next I used construction adhesive to put 1x10s flat against the brick around the fireplace. After the 1x10s I placed more 1x4s around the 1x10s to frame the whole mantle. 1x3s were then placed around the fireplace and around the outer edge to create more dimension in the mantle. After all the boards were up, caulk and wood filler were used on the seams and any nail holes. I then painted the entire mantle, hearth, and chimney white.

Woman places board against brick to create a a mantle above the fireplace

Woman stands on chair and paints brick fireplace surround

Stacked Mantle Success!

While I miss the white oak on the mantle in that room, I am so excited with this finished mantle. It is a more neutral space and fits in better with my decor and the rest of the room. The whole project was super simple and came together beautifully. I finished the whole mantle rebuild project just in time to decorate for Christmas!

It was so exciting to make over my middle daughter’s room. I had big plans to DIY built in bunkbeds. I would love if my two youngest daughters could share this room when the littlest is old enough. We already had a bunkbed frame in the room that we were using. My plans included utilizing that frame as a base for the DIY built in bunkbeds.

The Process for Built In Bunkbeds

I was given a bunkbed frame a while back and my daughter had been using it. She has been waiting for her room to be redone, so I wanted it to be something special. First, I made sure the frame was level before I screwed it into the studs. Once it was secured well to the wall I began to build a frame for the bottom bunk. I built a rectangle in the size for a full sized mattress out of 2x4s. Then added cross supports to hold the mattress while allowing it to breathe.

I wanted to include some shelf space on the bottom bunk and make them look truly built in. For the bottom I built a little frame for a shelf to go between the mattress and the bed frame. I added extra framing at the top to close in one end a bit to make it more cozy. Next I started on the stairs by putting stair stringers against the wall and the bed. Once those were in I added the treads and then the risers. At this point it’s almost done!

Time for paint! I have three daughters so the obvious choice in paint color here is… PINK. My trusty Wagner Pro paint sprayer has never let me down. I suited up and sprayed the built in bunkbed pink. The paint sprayer gives it a very smooth and clean finish. After paint I built a railing and sealed it, I love the way that little bit of natural wood looks with the paint. Then I used caulk to bring it all together. It gives the whole thing a seamless and built in look.

Woman sprays pink paint onto bunkbed frame

And Done

When it was all said and done the only thing left was to make sure the mattresses fit! I held my breath as I put them in and they fit like a glove. It was so exciting to finish this project and then style and decorate the rest of her room. She loves her new bed and is so excited about her bedroom.