Clever Faux Mantel Wall Hanging for the Holidays

No mantel? No worries — Santa will be sure to stuff your stockings when they're hanging from this clever faux mantel wall hanging made from a drop cloth, drapery hardware and chalkboard paint.
Faux Winter Mantel and Fireplace

Faux Chalkboard Mantel

Chalkboards can hang over the mantel or, in this case, stand in for it entirely! This clever faux mantel wall hanging from designer Brian Patrick Flynn is a smart solution for apartment dwellers or renters.

Materials Needed:

  • canvas drop cloth
  • primer
  • quart of black chalkboard paint
  • paint roller handle and cover
  • paint pan and liner
  • chalk
  • thin profile drapery rod with finials
  • iron-on adhesive tape
  • iron and ironing board
  • spool of twine
  • picture-hanging nails
  • scissors
  • S-hooks or stocking hooks

Prep Drop Cloth

Use iron to remove all wrinkles from drop cloth (Image 1). Next, create a rod pocket by folding the drop cloth's top down approximately 1/2", then use iron-on adhesive tape and iron to fuse the two portions of the drop cloth together (Image 2).

Insert Drapery Rod and Add Hanger

Insert thin-profile drapery rod into the rod pocket and attach finials to each end (Image 1). Add a hanger with twine by knotting it onto each end of the rod (Image 2).

Prime Drop Cloth

Most canvas drop cloths are extremely porous, so it's important to prime it before applying chalkboard paint to reduce the number of coats needed. Using a paint roller, add an even coat of primer, leaving a two-inch unpainted border around the edges.

Prime Drop Cloth

Prep Canvas Drop Cloth With Paint Primer

Most canvas drop cloths are extremely porous, so it's important to prime it before applying chalkboard paint to reduce the number of coats needed. Using a paint roller, add an even coat of primer, leaving a two-inch unpainted border around the edges.

Add Chalkboard Paint

Use a paint roller to apply two even coats of chalkboard paint on top of the primed area. Tip: Leaving a two-inch unpainted edge will add a contrasting border to your wall hanging, framing it nicely.

Apply Chalkboard Paint to Faux Mantel

Use Paint Roller to Apply Chalkboard Paint to Faux Mantel

Use a paint roller to apply two even coats of chalkboard paint on top of the primed area. Tip: Leaving a two-inch unpainted edge will add a contrasting border to your wall hanging, framing it nicely.

Draw Mantel and Fire

Use chalk to draw the silhouette of a mantel (Image 1). Add visual interest by giving your mantel architectural ornamentation such as friezes or moldings (Image 2). Once the mantel is complete, add burning logs to the mantel's opening with chalk (Image 3).

Hang Faux Mantel and Add Stockings

Hammer a picture-hanging nail into wall. Hang the drop cloth mantel by placing the knotted twine on the nail, moving the drapery rod back and forth until it sits perfectly level (Image 1). Place S-hooks or stocking hooks over the drapery rod, then hang up stockings (Image 2).

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