How to Make Fieldstone Mantles

Put on protective eyewear and a face mask. Sand the surface of the fireplace mantle using an electric sander with a medium-grit sanding belt. This removes any residual varnish and smooths down any roughness.

Brush off any dust and debris caused by the sanding using a 3-inch flat paintbrush.

Spread a 1-inch layer of mortar evenly over the entire mantle using a trowel.

Run a mortar rake over the surface of the mortar layer to create a grooved "scratch coat."

Press 1/2-inch-thick fieldstone tiles halfway into the mortar, spacing each tile 1/4 inch apart. Allow the mortar to set for 12 to 18 hours.

Spread a 1/2-inch layer of medium grout over the fieldstone-tiled mantle using the trowel, then scrape off the grout using the edge of the trowel. This will remove any excess grout while pushing grout into the spaces between the tiles.

Wipe off the surface of each fieldstone tile using a damp sponge, then run the sponge along each space in between the tiles to smooth down the grout lines. Allow the grout to dry for 12 to 18 hours before use.