Carol's Fireplace scene

1:12^th fireplace – A kit with choices

Having decided where to position the fireplace from the 3 options available, I first painted the back board which would be behind the open fire. Whilst the paint was out, I made up and painted the grate, adding a touch of gold to the top. Once this was dry, I added coal and slithers of tissue paper to represent flames. However, the kit does come with handy holes in the backboard where you could easily add a flickering red light if you wanted to.

I wanted to make a tiled fireplace and found a couple of pictures of 1950s styled ones which lead to the theme for my project which was also helped by the television pencil sharpener once it had a replacement screen. I used pieces of card that were the right colours for the tiles which I painted with a coat of Cosmic Shimmer Clear Gloss Finish Glaze which gives a lovely shiny ceramic look once dry. I glued the fireplace pieces together and then lightly painted the MDF with a corresponding colour for the grouting which might show through.

The new tile dies give a wonderful precision to what would otherwise be a really tough job. I was able to not only cut the regular tiles but make bespoke sizes too. I cut strips of the “tile card” to the width I wanted and by fixing them to the die with tiger tape as they were run through the die cutter, I could get the perfect size with the same uniformity of height. No messy individual cutting and as the “tiles” have a slightly rounded edge to them it is easy (albeit messy in the constructing, or is that just me and my gluey fingers again?!) to get a great result.

The fireplace was tiled, as was the hearth surround and then dirtied up a bit with dry brushing to show signs of wear and use. Once I had made up the chimney breast as a complete piece (including the wallpaper to the top and sides), I fixed the fire grate from behind since my 1950s shaped tiling reduced the size of the opening.

Next I papered the backboard and then stuck the finished chimney breast in position. I added carpet which I had cut to the right shape using a paper template as a trial. I painted the 3d fire tongs etc and again dirtied them a little for a more realistic look.

It was also fun to choose where and how the shelving would be used and which I had stained with a distress ink which I also used for the rocking chair.

1950s décor could be a little “brown” and uninspiring so the accessories were the finishing part to inject colour and bring the little fireplace scene to life. I made the fern (in a bead base), used a frame and the candlesticks from CKC dies and 3d printed pieces and then added a 1950’s scrapbook and other pieces which would look in period. The clock is a button with a printed clock face stuck on and then mounted onto painted wood and, of course, there have to been some Cool Katz on display.

I really enjoyed making this kit because even when I was doing so, I was thinking of how I could do another and which would result in a totally different look. So….another is planned in my head and I will enjoy the challenge of doing this in the other offered 1:24^th scale, clearly the sky is the limit with this kit.

If Carol has inspired you to create your own scene, or maybe recreate a scene from a different era, you will find all the links you need below.

We'd love to see your fireplaces, why not join our CoolKatz Facebook group and share your projects there.

Happy Crafting

The CoolKatz Team x

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