This can be sawed into three pieces and cemented to the wall board front. If informality is the goal, varicolored bricks or cut stonework can be closely imitated by the use of plastictextured paints. The cement divisions are first marked off on the wallboard, then each brick or stone is painted in separately before the singlecolored cement division lines are added. Plastic paints have either a water or an oil base; the former can be colored by the addition of dry mineral colors, which, like calcimine, will dry several shades lighter. An oil base paint can be mixed at home by adding whiting to a flat, lightcolored paint, until it has sufficient body to show brush or sponge marks when applied. It can be tinted with colors ground in oil, and if several receptacles are used, as many different shades and their variations can be applied as may be desired. Modern artificial fireplaces are likely to bypass realistic materials and concentrate on line. A flat, terra cotta or black paint often delineates the front of the firebox, with a series of halfround shelves running up one or both sides for the accommodation of books and nicknacks. The emphasis in modern fireplace treatment is placed upon harmonious simplicity at the expense of traditional functionalism. For the hearth, a sheet of blackpainted wallboard or of linoleum fabricated to simulate tiles can be used effectively. This should lie flat on the floor, just as the side pieces of the mantel should be cut out for the baseboard so that their rear edges hug the wall, to further the builtin illusion. Tin Cut onDotted Lines ? Fig. 4.34. Flickering device for artificial fire. BUILTIN FURNITURE AND CONVENIENCES 277 For the expert whittler, bandsaw operator, or lathe enthusiast, wooden andirons offer an opportunity to express individual taste in design. Since they will not be subjected to a trial by fire, a coat of black paint will give them the solid appearance of wrought iron without the latter's weight. To further the illusion of warmth during chilly days, an electric fire can be assembled that will create a startling illusion. The average commercial imitation log fire depends upon a red light bulb with a small "fan," hidden behind three birch logs slightly scorched with a blowtorch. Details of the light fixture and rotating fan that simulates the flickering of a fire are shown in Figure 4.34. Provision should be made for an electric outlet in the firebox during construction of the fireplace. Reality can be obtained only by actually burning the logs in some friendly backyard or vacant lot. The ashes should be collected and later sifted in a realistic manner over appropriate surfaces that have been coated with thick glue. The whole assembly can be fastened together with concealed nails or backing so that it can be removed and stored during summer months. Details follow for the construction of the typical fireplace with imitation brick and white painted woodwork. The basic framework is jointed from 2 in.