What to do for the fireplace mantel?!?!

16 years ago

I have no idea what to do for the mantel!! I want it to be something rustic, yet not look like I just went out back and picked up a piece of wood. I am thinking I would like it to be knotty alder. Anyone have any suggestions?! I am open for all. The fireplace stone is going to be the same stone as on the outside of the house, sandstone. Oh, and we decided to rock the half wall between the kitchen and living room.

Thanks y'all!

Kel

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Comments (12)

lindybarts
16 years ago
Here's a few from my files

Mine is not very rustic but here it is in Alder.

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kelntx
Original Author
16 years ago
Lindy - I love your mantel! This is going to be hard. I need to try and look up some pictures and just get an idea. Thank you soooo much for posting these pictures! I see two I like, yours is one of them! LOL!

Kel
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luckymom23
16 years ago
Lindy,
You always have such great photos to share! I have been collecting fireplace ideas lately myself, so thanks for posting these!

Kel-
You might go to the 'Quadra Fire' website, I have not been there but someone was telling me they have some kind of fireplace design tool. If I get a chance to check it out I'll post back. HTH
vfish
16 years ago
I used a reclaimed Douglas Fir beam for my mantle, with a limestone surround. The mantle and overhead beams are now stained and really set off the stone (thanks Lindy)...
I wired for lights in the stone above mantle for one more level of light. I plan to put sconces there with an umber colored glass shade casting light above and below the sconce.
Since I have a vaulted ceiling (stone goes to 10' and ceiling vaults to 13')I wired for low voltage lights to beam above and below the mantle since it protrudes into the room by approximately 14".
Note the stone "cutout" on the lower right below the hearth. The stone mason made this cutout by putting the stone on the wood, then fitting it in like a puzzle. Behind this small opening is the speaker/audio/television system wiring for future use in this room. My DH's dream is to put a TV above this mantle. I told him this will happen only in his dreams! But it's there if we ever need it.

Hope this helps.
V
lyfia
16 years ago
Ours is pecan and sort of looks a bit like it was a piece of wood found in the forest, but slightly more refined. Its been planed even on top and bottom and the sides and poly'd. The front still have the log impression though.

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jaymielo
16 years ago
Wow Lyfia, I LOVE that mantle! Absolutely gorgeous.
kelntx
Original Author
16 years ago
Vfish - I love your mantel. I love the color and it looks wonderful with the stone. You did a wonderful job!

Lyfia!! That is exactly what I was picturing in my mind!!!! Very natural looking! I told DH that I wanted it to look like we went down the hill and got it. I LOVE IT! I can't wait to show DH and the GC. I am picturing a piece of knotty alder with knots in it and very 'raw' looking.

Everyones mantels are so nice! Thank you so much for showing me pictures!
BriosaFarm
16 years ago
kelntx....for that "went down the hill and got it" mantle, I know there are lots of places in your area...but one specific place that makes gorgeous ones is southwest of austin:

http://www.swtpinc.com/

They make beautiful pecan (hickory) and mesquite, etc. mantles, posts, and beams.
lindybarts
16 years ago
Lyfia, love your mantle too!

vfish...wow..your home is turning out to be as great as I thought it would. I peeked over on the December progress thread...I hope you make it for your Christmas dinner. Looking fabulous!
kelntx
Original Author
16 years ago
briosfarm - I checked out their website! WONDERFUL! I am going there today. Thank you so much :-)

Kelly
lyfia
16 years ago
Thanks everybody, we love it.

keln - you could just cut a large limb of cedar and find a carpenter to saw it in half and plane the bottom and get some corbels to hold it too.
kellyeng
16 years ago
I got mine from this place in Kerrville. They did the beams on the Progessive Farmer magazine Idea House in Fredericksburg. I don't have a pic yet because the heavy sucker isn't installed yet!

Very nice people and they deliver too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Architectural Beams Direct