Creating an Outdoor Fireplace Using a Mirror
I was given this rather large mirror by my sister in law a few years back when they were downsizing.
She kept the dresser it was attached to and I took the mirror. It has sat in my basement since I brought it home. Every time I walked past it and looked at it , it reminded me of a fireplace. I finally decided to see if I could create the vision I have been picturing in my head.
Here is the mirror I am using for this project. First step is to remove the mirror and set aside.
I am now left with this frame.
I purchased 6 2x2x8s from Home Depot at a cost of $2.50 each. I will be using them to create a frame.
Laying the frame down I measured the length and cut my wood.
You will need 4 pieces.
Next I measured the width of the opening and cut 8 pieces.
I took all the pieces and laid them out on the frame and attached them using a cordless drill and 3 inch screws .
Here is what the frame should look like I made two of these.
I attached the two frames together using 3 1/2 inch screws and a cordless drill. The frame is now complete.
These are 1x6x6 fence boards. I purchased 6 for $ 4.20 at Home Depot. I will be using them to cover my frame.
I measured the opening of my frame and cut two boards one for the top and one for the bottom.
Here is the board attached to the frame on the bottom. The other one is on the top.
Lying my frame on its side on top of one of the boards using a pencil I marked off the length and cut two boards. These will be used for the sides.
Next using some painters tape I taped off the bottom and top of the boards in the opening to prepare for painting.
I am using this Behr satin spray paint for the sides of my opening.
Taking the mirror I removed I covered with paper and painters tape and applied a coat of the Behr black paint I used on the sides.
Next I took my frame and laid it down flat and took the mirror frame and laid on top.
Once lined up using 2 inch screws and my cordless drill I attached the mirror frame to the other frame.
Once attached I stood it up and attached the boards I had cut to the sides.
I decided to paint the frame in this white satin enamel.
Here it is after one coat. I applied two more coats to front and sides.
I cut two fence boards for my mantel leaving two inches more in length on each side.
I am using this wood stain in Expresso to stain my boards for my mantel and the boards inside my frame.
To apply stain I am using a clean soft cloth. Wearing gloves I dipped the cloth in the stain and started wiping on the boards.
Here are my boards for my mantel stained. I let dry before attaching to the top of my frame.
So here is my fireplace painted. Next step is to reattach the mirror to the back.
Here is my fireplace on my deck with the mirror attached.
Every fireplace needs some logs and I created some using outdoor candles I purchased from Amazon. 12 in a box, they come with a remote . To make these I used some vinyl self adhesive wood planks purchased from the Dollar store. Taking one strip I removed the backing and placed a candle on the adhesive side and wrapped around. I made different sizes using two candles together and wrapping . They look like a log once wrapped. Then placed inside fireplace.
Here is my fireplace with my candle logs. You can opt just to use the candles as is standing up but I wanted to create a more real look.
Here is my fireplace lit up at night.
This has been one of my favorite projects to create. I grew up ,up north in a small town where a fire pit was a staple in every backyard. Nothing beat a summer night with a fire and sitting outside. Living in the city it's not permitted so creating this has brought a little bit of that home feeling to me.
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Very clever. Love it!
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Joseph N DeFranco....
The mirrors are positioned so that I can look out my kitchen and/or dining room windows and see who is either right behind my house or trying to sneak past the cars in the driveway.
The first 30 - 40 feet of my yard is wide open lawn area, so yup eveyone can see me when I'm outside.
However, once you get in behind my tree line..it's hide 'n go seek in all my flower beds! LoL
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