To Finish the Hearth of a Miniature or Dolls House Fireplace
Paint the bottom of the fireplace/ firebox with a flat black paint, then dab slight amounts of grey on it to resemble ash on a coating of soot. The hearth in front of the fireplace can be given a grey undercoat (for grout lines) then painted in a brick, slate, or tile pattern using acrylic paints. Paperclay, air dry clay or papier mache made from tissue can also be used to create a tile or stone effect, or you can create brick slips or tiles from polymer clay and glue them in place on the hearth. After your finish is dry, give it a coating of matte or semi gloss finish to help protect it.
To Finish the Interior of the Fireplace
Place your glowing fire in place (you can create a direct power or a battery operated one with led's using the instructions for Making a Miniature Fire. To make an unlit version, use scraps of cellophane set in between logs or coals to resemble small flames. Print a suitable brick pattern on lightweight card or paper, or use charcoal grey flecked paper, or dark grey and emboss brick lines, and cut a section that will fit across the back of the fireplace, gluing it in place on the backs of the fire surround. If you fold the side edges back, then take the paper across the back of the fire, fold it and glue it tot the back of the other side surround, it will give you the effect of a square firebox. If you want a rounded effect, glue your patterned paper to the back of one side of the fire surround, curve the sheet and glue it to the back of the fire surround on the other side.
Enjoy Your Success!
