Hide the dirt and ash in your fireplace with this stylish, easy-to-make painted screen.

Fire Screen Materials:

• Tape measure
• Kraft paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
• Table saw
• String
• Jigsaw
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Paintbrush
• Primer
• Paint
• 3/4x3-inch butt hinges

Fire Screen Directions:
1. Measure your firebox and hearth. The front piece of the screen should be 6 inches wider and taller than the firebox. The side pieces should be the same height as the front piece and slightly narrower than the hearth depth.

2. Make kraft paper templates of the screen. Tape them to the MDF pieces, trace them, and cut them to size with the table saw.

3. Use a pencil tied to string to draw arches across the top of each template. Tape the templates to the MDF pieces and cut the arches with a jigsaw.

4. Sand the edges of the MDF pieces. Apply primer; let dry. Add stripes or stenciled designs; let dry. Attach the MDF pieces with butt hinges.

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