I've already built and aged the Phoenix parlour hob grate, and now it's time to build the fireplace so I can finish up the new living room wall.

My second inspiration fireplace is this beautiful albeit expensive Lawbre fireplace.  :D  Champagne taste, I know.

Gothic Fireplace by Lawbre

Even if I could afford the splurge, this piece would be too big for the parlor.  So, I set out to make an interpretation of it from bass wood with a few changes in mind.  I used some of this 1/2" Alle trim from Heritage Laser Works that I had originally bought to put together some yet to be installed window boxes for Baxter Pointe Villa.  It's similar to the circle link design of the original.

I'm not a huge fan of the rope detailing, however, so I substituted other trims for that portion of the design.  I made my fireplace shorter than the original and eliminated the portions of the base that angled toward the opening.

I built the structure in layers, since that seemed the easiest approach using the materials I had on hand.  I started with a basic 1/2" foam core board base with outer measurements are 4 7/8" wide by 4 1/4" tall.

In order to figure out the size of the fireplace opening, I lined up the various trims I planned to use in order to measure accurately.

I ended up with an opening 2 3/8" square.

I then covered the foam core board frame with 1/16" thick basswood on the sides and then the front.

To build the top, I started with 1/4" decorative trim, lining it up with the fireplace opening and using mitre cuts to wrap it around the sides.

I glued on two rows of the circle link trim separated by 1/16" x 1/8" strip wood glued in place on its short edge.  I used mitre cuts on the strip wood but the circle trim is cut straight and nestled inside 3/16" wide corner trim since there wasn't a good match in the circle pattern at the sides.

I added a layer of 1/16" thick basswood to build up the surface above the circle trim.  I used scraps since it wouldn't show anyway.

Over that, I added a row of the same decorative trim that I had used below the circle trim.  I then used 3/8" routed trim to build up the top and topped it all off with a 3/32" thick bass wood mantle (I left the mantle separate for now until I decide on a finish).

I added the front base detail to the lower edges on either side using the routed trim, though I still have the sides left to cut.  On the sides of the fireplace opening, I used the same 1/4" trim as I had on the upper portion.  On either outside edge, I added the 3/16" corner trim.

I won't be adding the circle trim in the open areas like the original.  I have other ideas.  :D

I also need to think about finishing.  I have a few ideas for stone and marble colorations.  In the meantime, I can move on with the new parlor wall and finish the fireplace later.  I'll need a firebox soon, though.  I wonder if I have any egg carton bricks around here anywhere.  Ha ha!  ;]