Jeff Doubet showcases Spanish fireplace experts applying plaster details to a Spanish Revival fireplace mantel and hood design. Rare photos capture the professional techniques and processes that go into building a high-end fireplace to completion.
Scroll to see a wide range of step by step images of the plastering Artisans as they work different areas of the fireplace. I want to highlight the nuanced artistry that is required in bringing a new Spanish fireplace design to life.
Jeff Doubet Pro Design Tips for Spanish Fireplace Construction
Tip # 1: The fireplace design needs to be in proportion with the room, itself. Note how this living room has a very tall ceiling with wood beams. The room easily accommodate the custom designed fireplace hearth, mantel and hood this Artisan is now plastering.
Tip # 2: In Spanish fireplace construction, it is important to plan how your fireplace mantel will be used. This will also influence your design. For example, this fireplace has a large mantel with shelf on top, which will provide a place to display favorite collectibles. This was a specific design feature my client requested. I designed an 8 inch shelf space in front of the decorative plaster hood.
Tip # 3: A raised hearth is another design option available for special Spanish-style fireplace designs. In this photo, I show how a hearth was incorporated into the design of this custom Spanish Revival style fireplace with hood. A raised hearth can be enjoyed as a fireside bench. An elevated firebox in a bedroom will also improve the view of the fire, as viewed from your bed.
Here is another photo showing the design proportions of the raised hearth as it specifically relates to other design elements. The support corbels, mantel, shelf and decorative hood.
Tip # 4: If you desire both a mantel shelf and a decorative hood, you will need to design in extra depth to the mantel to accommodate them. This photo shows a custom corbel design supports the large header portion of the mantel (and then the 8″ shelf on top of that).
A Jeff Doubét recommended product for designing and building your charming, high-quality Spanish style home +landscape. A 240 page, full color Coffee Table Book.
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Pro Tools for Plastering: Spanish Fireplace Construction
With this Spanish fireplace construction article, I wanted to include several up close photos of the tools the expert plasterers are using to accomplish the final plaster finish.
Here, the plasterer is using an aluminum plastering hawk to hold a small amount of finish plaster. No need for a large amount as he is filling in small blemishes, holes and divots to get the surfaces consistently smooth. Combined with a steel trowel, these are the main tools he needs for this stage of the project.
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Balancing while on a scaffold, he steel trowels the final coat of plaster on the decorative hood. As this finish coat begins to harden, he applies more and more pressure on the trowel (to get the smooth texture). All the while, he is working the plaster and sharpening the details of the design as he goes.
More Professional Tools for Plastering Spanish Fireplaces
Using a Bon style tool , the Artisan begins to shape the edge of the mantel top shelf detail.
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Notice how the wet plaster goes on sloppy, then he uses the tool to sculpt it into the specific design profile by working back and forth until the final shape is achieved.
In these photos the plasterers work the crown detail on the mantel using a steel trowel and sponges.
The brothers have a coordination method that works well for them. As one adds detail to the plaster with a steel trowel, the other softens it down with a wet sponge.
Here the expert plasterer continues his precision work. A Modern Master with both artistic abilities and the technical knowledge to build the custom Spanish-style fireplace detailing.
Here, he shapes the wet plaster with a corner tool. Inside and Outside Corner Tools come in a variety of different radius dimensions. From sharp corners to bullnose (and everything in between). You can see more of these talented brothers in my 240 page Coffee Table book all about Spanish home and landscape design.
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More Photos of A Spanish Fireplace Being Finished in Plaster
In this very rare sequence of photos, I was grateful to capture the guys finishing all of the details of the plastering work. Here the Artisan works on the underside of the mantel getting the finish just right.
Be sure to check out the many other articles and blog posts I share Spanish-style fireplace designs.
To give you an idea of the time it takes to finish plaster a fireplace like this, the series of photos on this page required over 2 hours. I really enjoyed seeing these Artisans craft yet another Spanish fireplace in Santa Barbara.
The time-lapsed sequence of images showcases the talent and steps these Artisans take to create a work of art. With the plaster having a set up time, they often have very brief moments of time to crispen up the details before it hardens to a point they can’t work their tools anymore.
Surely this is a timeless fireplace design in the making, and one that will be enjoyed for many generations to come!
I always enjoy the camaraderie on projects like this. We are a small town of independent talents, who love the craft! Reach out if you are in the Santa Barbara, Montecito area- I am happy to introduce you to various teams and experts in the field.