Clever Faux Mantel Wall Hanging for the Holidays
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).
Iron Out Canvas for Drop Cloth
Use iron to remove all wrinkles from drop cloth you will be using for the faux holiday mantel hanging.
Use Iron On Adhesive Tape To Make Rod Pocket in Canvas
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
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).
Insert a Drapery Rod Into Canvas
Insert thin-profile drapery rod into the rod pocket and attach finials to each end.
Add Twine Hanger to Rods
Add a hanger by tying twine on to rod and knotting it onto each end of the rod.
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.
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.
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).
Draw Mantel Outline in Chalk
Use chalk to draw the silhouette of a mantel on the faux mantel holiday hanging.
Draw Burning Fire Logs on Chalkboard Mantel
Once the chalk mantel drawing is complete, add burning logs to the mantel's opening with chalk to add a festive fireplace.
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).
Hammer Nail into Wall and Hang Drop Cloth by Twine
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.
Hang Holiday Stockings with S-Hooks
Place S-hooks or stocking hooks over the drapery rod, then hang up stockings on the finished faux chalkboard mantel.
