Somewhere along the line, I got the idea I needed a fireplace in the back of the van.

Despite having very little time to finish this build, due to an impending change of residency, the fireplace wasn't miles down my priority list. Sadly, finding something suitable turned out to be a touch more challenging than I'd hoped. It's not until you try adding fire to something that you fully understand how hot it really is.

So, during one of my many visits to the hardware store, I came across this garden planter and thought I'd give it a try. It was a bit bigger than I would have liked, but it was, by far, the best fit I'd seen so far, and it wasn't too expensive. I knew, of course, there was a chance I'd waste time and resources cutting and painting it only to abandon it, which is exactly what happened, but it was a learning experience.

The planter that held promise.

I added fireplace paint, which can apparently withstand temperatures up to 750°^C, to my order.

I cut a door and hinged it back on with a long hinge that used to hold a bed-base door on.

Then, I got to slapping the fireplace paint on in layers - first one, and then another - until the damn thing looked like it might tolerate some heat, put a grill stand in from a previous camping barbecue and convinced myself it was good.

The coated planter in its now-unconvincing glory.

Lastly, after confirming my time-wasting, I ditched the whole unit in the skip and carried on with my build. There was no way metal this thin was going to safely withstand a fire in an enclosed space, even if I had bought the chimney and everything else to go with it.

Maybe later, I will crack this, but for now, it isn't to be.