Easy Mantel Makeover

finished mantel makeover Geoffrey Gross

cover brick ends of firebox with slate tile Geoffrey Gross

Cover up the ends of the bricks on both sides of the firebox with slate tiles cut 35/8 in. wide.

use a rubber mallet to set slate tiles in mortar Geoffrey Gross

Use a rubber mallet to firmly set the slate into the mortar. Thin cardboard strips act as tile spacers.

spread mortar on bricks above firebox Geoffrey Gross

Press the tiles into the thinset mortar above the firebox. The 1x3 support shelf wedged in the opening helps keep the tiles from sliding down.

fill joints with grout Geoffrey Gross

It's in the bag: Fill a plastic bag with grout, then snip off one corner and squeeze the grout into the joints.

wipe off excess grout with wet sponge Geoffrey Gross

Wait about 20 minutes, then use a wet sponge to wipe off the excess grout from the surface of the slate.

screw wooden cleat above fireplace Geoffrey Gross

Screw a 2x3 cleat to the wall above the fireplace. Position it so that the mantel will just slip over it.

mark cleats' position with tape Geoffrey Gross

Mark the cleats' positions with tape to indicate where to drive in the screws when attaching the mantel.

tilt mantelpiece into place photos: Geoffrey Gross

Tilt the mantelpiece into place, making sure it slips over all three cleats and fits tight against the wall.

drill a counterbore hole and screw the mantel into the cleat photo: Geoffrey Gross

Drill a counterbore hole, then drive a 2 1/2-in. screw through the mantel shelf and into the cleat

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Where to Find It

Makers of prefabricated mantels
Forshaw's
825 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63131
forshaws.com
800/367-7429

Larkin Co.
510 E. Bernard
West Chester, PA 19382
610/696-9096

Mantelcraft
4145 Parkway Dr.
Florence, AL 35630
mantelcraft.com
800/820-7177

Pearl Mantels
10846 E. Shelby
Collierville, TN 38017
901/853-8237

Readybuilt Products
Box 4425
Baltimore, MD 21223
readybuilt.com
800/626-2901

Sources for decorative appliques

Constantine's
2050 Eastchester Rd
Bronx, NY 10461
constantines.com
800/223-8087

Rockler
4365 Willow Dr
Medina, MN 55340
rockler.com
800/279-4441

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