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Here's the Pinterest image I used as my model.

OK, lets start!
This is a store bought, used, rustic fence board.
Thank you Eliason Lumber of Fresno, CA.

Lots of measuring here.
I cut a ridge into the board that will hold the shelf in place.
The bracket will then hold it sturdy.

The parts are just sitting in place but this is the basic structure.

I used ashes from the fireplace and rubbed it onto the freshly cut edges
to simulate the rustic, old wood effect.
That worked better than I thought!
The next step is to lacquer it.
Unfortunately, that darkened the wood.
Such is life.

The angle bracket is both a shelf support AND the hanger for the lantern.
The steps above were repeated to make the second one.

These are the wall hangers.
I wanted something strong enough that I wouldn't have to worry about it pulling out of the drywall.
They also allowed for at least one screw to attach to a 2x4 stud.
As an added benefit, I have some room to slide them sideways
to adjust their distance from the door trim. You'll see...

The brackerts go together like this.
One attaches to the wall, the other to the "lantern hanger".

The only trick is to ensure it's both level on the wall, and level on the hanger.

The wall is marked for placement.
They will sit on either side of the French doors to the dining room.

I've measured it so the top of the wall bar is at the top of the French door frame.
And it's level.
I did this on both sides.

They sit 12" from the frame of the French doors.

Now for the electrical. Yes, the new lanterns are not oil lamps.
It's important that the hole for the junction box
is away from the wall stud and hidden completely behind the lantern hanger.

Both sides get the same round junction box.

With the shelf above the wall, it was easy to route the wires to the new junction boxes.
An additional junction box was needed to connect it to the wall switch.

Previously, the wall box had one switch. Now it has four.
The top two switches control power to a couple of outlets.
The top right switch and right outlet controls two florescent tube lights.
The top left switch/outlet controls a fan used to circulate heat from the fireplace in the winter.
The bottom right switch will control future ceiling lights.
The bottom left switch will control the lanterns.

All put together, it looks like it belongs there.

Complete!!
I placed a model barn and model cabin on the shelves along with some toy farm animals for the effect.
The 2 watt light bulbs simulate a fire burning and flickering, giving the room a nice cabin-like atmosphere.

Close-up view of the lantern and simulated fire bulb.

2020-01-LanternsLR.zip - 11272567 bytes.