This may be one of my favorite DIY projects!
This DIY French Country fireplace screen may be one of my favorite projects of all time! One of the things I love about our home is the fireplace. There’s nothing better than a beautiful fire to add coziness and warmth in the Fall and Winter.
However, during the warmer seasons when the fireplace isn’t in use, it’s nice to have a fireplace screen that’s decorative and pretty.
Several years ago, one of my blogging friends, Anita at Cedar Hill Farmhouse, showed a beautiful antique frenchy fireplace screen that she had found, and I loved the look of it standing in front her fireplace. Since then, I have searched for one, but never found anything that was similar, so I decided to try and create one by using an a salvaged antique mirror frame, plywood, wood legs, and an antique grain sack.
I found this salvaged antique mirror frame at an antique market and fell in love with all of the carved details. Originally, I intended to replace the mirror in it but never got around to it. I realized that it was the perfect piece to create my French Country fireplace screen.
I tested the size of the frame by holding it up to the front of the fireplace opening, and it was the ideal size.
After explaining to hubby what I wanted to do, he traced the shape of the frame opening onto a thin piece of plywood and cut it out with a jigsaw.
We screwed two legs (made out of wood moulding) into the bottom so it would stand on it’s own, and I used Rub N Buff in gold leaf to match the the legs to the original gilded finish of the antique frame.
I added batting to the plywood to give it a little bit of dimension. Then I used one of my antique grains sacks that has a monogram and covered the plywood with it, centering the stripe, and hot glueing it around on the back side of the plywood.
Of course, you could use any type of material you like, not just grain sack!
Then all we had to do was mount the plywood back into the frame, and it was finished!
One of the easiest projects I’ve done in a long time.
I love how it looks and how nicely it covers the opening to the fireplace during the Spring and Summer when the fireplace isn’t in use.
I’ve always loved antique European grain sacks that are monogrammed with the farmer’s initials on them. I don’t find them often, but when I do, I usually grab them, especially if they are in blue. They’re great for so many projects, including upholstery, like our set of breakfast room chairs.
I’m hoping to one day find a grain sack with our monogram on it, and if I’m lucky enough to find one, it will be easy enough to swap this one out.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing my DIY French Country fireplace screen! Salvaged antique mirror frames aren’t just for mirrors!
Cheers, Cindy
Ingenious and very pretty!
That seems so interesting that you re-create the mirror and you organised your furniture in a very beautiful way it is so dreamy and looks super classy and your fireplace is just amazing. thanks for sharing dear..
You are so very innovative – love this!
Beautiful outcome as usual! You and your husband are geniuses. I know Anita’s blog, and remember her fireplace screen! This is an incredible project! Once again, thank you for the inspiration!
This is gorgeous. I love that you were able to repurpose that gorgeous mirror frame.
Thank you, Teddee!
I absolutely love this idea. Been looking for a frame that is large enough. So far no luck but Canton Trade Days will be my next field trip.
Good luck, Cherry! I’ve often thought about making the trip to Canton!
I love this archived post from 2016! So pretty! Where do you find vintage grain sacks?…..such a wonderful textile. Now, about this gorgeous fireplace screen – my OCD is showing, but does the fact that it’s not perfectly centered, the top leaf isn’t hitting that thick blue stripe in the middle, drive you crazy? LOL
Gwyneth, antique European grain sacks can be found on eBay and Etsy! No, the grain sack not being perfectly centered doesn’t bother me. I embrace imperfections (they add character!), which is a good thing, because perfection is something that I’ve never been able to achieve. ❤️
Your front entry looks really nice with the new tile going down, Cindy! We laid big 20” travertine tiles in our last house after I was finally fed up with the 20+ year old carpet which never came clean. Love them laid in the diagonal. Enjoy the process and wear those heavy knee pads if you have some! It helps.
The frame is soooo beautiful and your use of it so clever. I absolutely love the railing on your staircase!
Thank you Jody!
Your entryway is coming along beautifully. Looking forward to seeing the final reveal.
The fireplace screen to so lovely and elegant. I think I will be looking for an elegant frame of my own to make one for my fireplace.
This is so elegant, you did a great job, I am swooning over it. will share
Thank you so much @simplenaturedecor!
OMGoodness, Cindy, that frame is PERFECT! The way you finished it is exquisite! I also love the stands that you have the ferns in. Where did you find them? I keep looking forsomething for our hearth. The foyer looks fabulous so far! Can’t wait for the big reveal!
Thank you Pinky!The two stands on the fireplace are old architectural capitals salvaged from a tear down. I just turned them upside down and sat the pots in them! I am so ready to be done with this foyer!Thanks for you sweet comments!
Hey Cindy! Wow!!! Your screen looks fabulous! You are so creative! The foyer looks lovely. I can’t wait to see the final reveal! You and your lovely home are such an inspiration,Cindy!
Thank you for your sweet comment Adele!
~Cindy~
I was just thinking about you today !! The screen frame is beautiful what a find !!
And about that foyer ?? hehe.. It is looking wonderful .!! my goodness look at you putting down the tile , my would be a peel and stick tile 🙁
Paula
IN
Haha, Paula, you can do it! Tiling isn’t hard, it’s the kneeling and bending over that’s the killer! I couldn’t get out of bed the next day!
Cindy, Don’t you just love it when you can use something you already have in a new and creative way? I adore the fireplace screen. It was meant to be.
Thank you so much Pat!
Beautiful, Cindy! Can’t wait to see the completed foyer.
Thank you Sherry!
Ops, forgot to ask you where did you find the pretty crown sitting on top of your mantle?? Once again your home is simply gorgeous…..
Mari, the crown is new….found it in a cute little shop in Bartlesville, OK called The French Nest!
Looks beautiful!
Thank you Evelyn!
You are so clever Cindy! It looks fantastic.
Thank you Anita! Your lovely antique screen was the inspiration!
What a pretty use for such a beautiful frame! It fits with your space so perfectly. I love the progress you are making on the foyer. That is going to be a real show stopper.
Nancy
Thank you Nancy!
The screen is fantastic! I love your blog! One one very best. The foyer is over the moon!! WOW is all I can say.
Oh my goodness, Mary, thank you so much! You humble me with your kind words!
Hi Cindy, your screen turned out gorgeous! I love the details on the frame soooo pretty and what a wonderful idea to turn your beautiful frame into a fireplace screen….I also love how your covered it with grain sack…..those are my initials…lol…..your entry is coming out simply stunning…my but your one talented lady….
Wishing you a great week~
Mari
Thank you Mari!
Beautiful! Love the frame, really great find then to repurpose it so beautifully. It really does look gorgeous. I can see the foyer is going to be just as fabulous as the rest of the house, cant wait to see the final reveal.
Blessings,
Candy
Thank you Candy!
CIndy love that screen gf! What is the frame resting on? You need to do a tutorial on the moulding and tile. Moudling first 🙂
Thank you Gay! We cut two “legs” out of scrap wood, 10″ long, routed the edges, and screwed them up into the bottom of the frame so it would stand on it’s own. Then I just painted them to match! The moulding was sooooo easy……I’ll see what I can do for that tutorial! I’m so bad about taking before and during pictures….but I think I actually took some of the moulding going up!
You are so talented! I love that you can see a useful purpose in something someone
else no longer can use. Keep up the good work and please protect your knees……we
your readers do not want you out of commission! 🙂
Thank you Rene! Yes, I ended up wearing knee pads, which helped a lot!
Love the details on the frame Cindy!! Ingenius – looks fabulous!!! Your foyer is really coming along and look at you go!! You lay tiles too!!! One talented lady:)
Thanks Celia! Yes, that foyer is coming to the end of the renovation, and I am so ready for it to get there!
How luvly Cindy.
I have never tried tiling :/ I am can only imagine the pain your poor knees must be feeling.
Happy new week.
Hugs, Gee
Hi Gee! Tiling isn’t that hard, but it’s very hard on the knees! I ended up having to wear knee pads, and I was so sore I couldn’t hardly get out of bed the next morning! I just might be getting too old for this! Haha!
Wow, Cindy, it’s absolutely perfect!! You couldn’t have found one any better. Such a perfect fit. The foyer looks so good!!
Thanks Kim!
Your talent never ceases to amaze me!
Aw, thank you Diane, you are too kind!
Oh my Cindy…the fireplace screen is so beautiful. How perfect and exquisite is that frame….Such a wonderful project with great impact and stunning design!
Thank you Shirley!