Wood Rounds Fireplace Insert DIY {Farmhouse Style}

Hope your day is going well!

I wanted to share with you a recent change I made to the fireplace mantel in our dining room. Obviously, this is not a functioning fireplace. I brought the mantel into this room to add some interest and depth. If you've been here before, you might remember that we used to have a canvas curtain hanging inside the mantel. I was ready for a new look...

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I'd been crushing on some of the wood round fireplace inserts I'd seen lately and wanted to give the look a try. 

It wasn't hard to make this insert, but took a lot more wood rounds than I anticipated!

First, I measured the size of the opening (and added one inch to the height so the board wouldn't fall through the opening) and we (okay, my husband) cut a piece of wood underlayment so that it fit snugly into the opening. If you're not familiar with underlayment, it's an inexpensive type of board sold at home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. 

Next, with the piece of underlayment flat on a table, I arranged the wood rounds. I used a combination of sizes from 2" to 5" diameter, but I prefer the look of the larger (4"-5") sizes, which of course are more expensive. ;)

When I was happy with the layout, I began gluing the wood rounds in place. I originally used Gorilla Glue but when I ran out, I used my hot glue gun and honestly, the process went faster with the hot glue! (Just make sure your glue sticks are the ones that can adhere to wood... I think most are.) 

Then, I used Elmer's Glue to fill in just a touch of moss between the rounds. I used a combination of green and brown moss for a toned-down color so that the moss wouldn't overpower the wood rounds.

Once all the glue had dried, I gently, but firmly, pushed the board with rounds through the back of the mantel opening. The extra inch in height keeps the board from falling through the opening.

And if you need something to add to your playlist while you craft one of these, may I suggest: 

You spin me right round, baby 

Right round like a record, baby 

Right round round round...

(cannot get that song out of my head! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Xo