How One Guy Made A Cool Fireplace For The Office On The Cheap

The true stroke of genius...

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• March 30, 2024

In the mundane office environment, where beige walls and fluorescent lights reign supreme, one man dared to inject a spark of creativity into the decor. Armed with nothing but two large boxes and a dash of ingenuity, he embarked on a mission to transform his workspace into a cozy haven of holiday cheer.

Little did his colleagues know that they were about to witness the magic of a DIY holiday fireplace, all for under $10. With a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step, our protagonist set to work.

The first step was to acquire two large boxes, which he swiftly commandeered from the supply closet. Next came the delicate art of manipulation, as he deftly maneuvered the cardboard into the semblance of a traditional fireplace.

With strategic cuts and folds, he sculpted the boxes into a structure that bore an uncanny resemblance to the real thing. But the true stroke of genius lay in the details. Armed with a handful of craft supplies scavenged from his desk drawer, our intrepid decorator set about adorning his cardboard creation.

A mantle crafted from spare cardboard served as the centerpiece, while strings of twinkling lights lent a warm, inviting glow. A few strategically placed ornaments and a miniature wreath completed the illusion, transforming the humble cardboard into a festive focal point.

As word spread of the holiday miracle unfolding in the office, curious colleagues began to gather, drawn by the promise of holiday cheer. Gasps of amazement and laughter filled the air as they marveled at the lifelike fireplace, unable to believe that such magic could be wrought from mere cardboard and imagination.

"It all started with a few sport utility boxes from U-haul."

"And just by sponging on different colors of paint, he was able to make a convincing brick and mortar pattern. "

"By opening up the box, he was able to create a realistic 3D fireplace."

"What you see is actually three cardboard boxes, painted like a pro."

"For the mantle, he used a slab of white pine and connected it to the fireplace with Liquid Nails. "

"For the grates, he just cut out some pieces of cardboard and hot glued them together. "

"For the logs, he rolled up two pieces of cardboard, unrolled them, then cut slits on the outside. "

"He spray painted it with black matte paint and connected the two tubes with electrical tape. "

"Next, he inserted a string of orange lights into the tubes, with the plug coming out the back. "

"And surprisingly, it looks like a real, glowing log! "

"With a few cheap decorations… "

"He turned it into a workplace winter wonderland! "

"(With a holiday banana for scale.) "

In the end, our hero's creation served as more than just a whimsical decoration; it was a testament to the power of creativity and resourcefulness. With a minimal investment of time and money, he had succeeded in brightening the spirits of all who passed by, proving that a little ingenuity can go a long way in spreading holiday cheer.

So the next time you find yourself faced with the drab confines of office decor, remember the tale of the DIY holiday fireplace. With a touch of creativity and a few spare boxes, you too can transform your workspace into a winter wonderland, all for less than the cost of a festive latte.

Damjan