Skeleton Ledge

Just when you thought you were done decorating your fireplace, another fireplace design appears. Remember, the ventless fireplace can be placed in any room. So if you have a room that doesn’t have a fireplace, get started on this next project.

The Skeleton Mantel actually looks like a full mantel when the doors are closed. But open them to discover entertainment units, books, blogs and everything you can imagine. If you’re going to have a coat, this is the one.

Things you will need:

Wood (Various Sizes)

drill

tacos

Glue

hinges

door handle

1 – Door knob (small, fancy for small door panels)

I always have my lumber pre-cut at the local hardware store. If you like to buy the wood and take it home, by all means incorporate a saw into your plans. But, I draw up my plans and then head to the local hardware store to get the various sizes I want.

I find the right thickness and width. Then, I have my wood cut to size. That way, when I get home, I’m ready to start putting things together. For this project you will need several sizes of lumber:

2 – 2’X6’X1/2″ (6′ long)

3 – 2’X6″X1/2″ (6 inches wide)

1 – 6’X6″X1/2″

4 – 1’X4’X1/2″

6 – 1’X1’X1/2″

2 Cabinet Doors – 1’X4′

6″ wide molding

Start with the top of the mantel and take the two 2’X6’X1/2″ boards. Drill 3 holes at each end of each board and 3 holes in the center of each board so that there are 9 holes in each board. each board Make sure the holes line up perfectly and are in the same place for both boards.

Take the three 2’X6″X1/2″ boards. Drill 3 holes on both sides along the 2′ length of each of the 3 boards. Make sure the holes line up perfectly with the holes drilled in the 2’X6’X1/2″ boards. Pour glue and place a dowel in each hole.

Lay a 2’X6’X1/2″ board flat with the holes facing up and pour glue into each hole. Lay one 2’X6″X1/2″ board at each end and one in the center where you have drilled the holes Let dry Lay the second 2’X6’X1/2″ board flat with the holes facing up and pour glue into each hole. Lay the first section on top of the board and align it so that each 2’X6″X1/2″ board fits snugly into the holes. Let dry.

In the meantime, start working on the other two sections of this mantelpiece. Each leg will be done exactly the same. Start by taking a 1’X4’X1/2″ board and drilling 2 holes along what will be the bottom of the mantel.

Go up a foot and drill two more holes. Go up another foot and drill two more holes. Lay the board flat. Drill holes in another board so they line up with the holes in the first board you drilled.

Next, take three 1’X1’X1/2″ boards and drill two holes on each of the opposite sides. Pour glue into the holes in the 1’X4’X1/2″ board that is lying flat. Place a dowel in each hole. Pour glue into each hole on only one side of the three 1’X1’X1/2″ boards. Lay the three 1’X1’X1/2″ boards on top of the flat 1’X4’X1/2″ board. so that the holes line up with the dowels.

Pour glue into the holes facing up in the 1’X1’X1/2″ board. Pour glue into the holes in the other 1’X4’X1/2″ board and place it on top so the holes line up with the tacos. Follow these exact steps with the two 1’X4’X1/2″ boards and the three 1’X1’X1/2″ boards you have left.

Bringing the two legs to meet the top piece of the mantel, drill two holes in the bottom where each of the leg boards will meet. Four holes should be drilled at one end and four more holes at the other end. Then, drill two holes in the top of each leg board aligned with the holes in the mantel top piece. Connect with glue and dowels in the same way as before.

Cabinet doors hinge on each leg. Create a side cabinet on top of the mantel using the 6’X6″X1/2″ board, door knob, door handle, and hinges. The last step is to dress with moldings under the upper shelf so that the legs look masterfully attached to it.

These instructions may seem overwhelming at first. But if you draw the plans and then study them, you will soon see that these instructions are not as difficult as you first thought. Just remember, you can only go as far as your imagination and creativity. I’m sure you can go pretty far.