A vote for the black mantel!

Jan

I like either the black or dark tone wood.

Thanks!!

I thought I originally would like the black. I think I am leaning more towards a stain - maybe something not as dark as the dark wood one but not too light either. But I really don;t know. Thats why I thought I would do the mosck-ups..

Any other votes.. please help!!!

Ruth

I really think you have to go painted mantle here because of so much stone and the black insert. Either that or a grey/tan stone mantle (simple slab). If wood, I would paint it one of the colors in the stone -- charcoal, that deep brown... can you try a couple more "photoshops" with some of the colors of the stone, and the snippet of the wood in front? Is that the color the walls will be? What furniture will you have in the room?

I like the idea of a stained mantel, but somewhere between the one that matches the floors and the last one, which is too red. I am a huge fan of black, but not with that stone - it makes it feel too contemporary, I think. The white looks lke a bad afterthought, imo.

Whatever you choose color-wise, I would make the mantel at least double the front profile that you are showing. That stone is heavy and textured, and you need a more substantial mantel to balance the visual weight of the stone.

Thanks Les -

The current profile is 2" w and we will be doing at least 4", possibly 5". The problem with going too far down is that it will be difficult with the unevenness of the rock.

What do you think of trying to distress the wood?

This may be a crazy thought, but have you considered going UP with the mantle? I mean just putting a piece of wood about 1"x6" upright against the wall on top of what you have. I might then put a piece of small simple molding at the top to dress it up a bit. I'd even do a nice crown molding around/ on top of what you have there now to make it less contemporary, but that is just my taste. Going up would solve the problem of how to scribe around the rock face.

I'd probably wait myself, until the floor goes in to choose a stain color, if you go with stain. The floor being horizontal and the mantle being more vertical and up above the floor, you may find that if you decide to match the floor, that what you have in mind may not be the perfect color.

My vote is the dark stain or black whether you are contemporary, transitional, or traditional. You can make it work.

My eye may see things a little differently since my style is not traditional. I'm from the school of clean and simple because it can work with any style. Then pull in the accessories.

Pretty fireplace.

I agree with bigdog and am wondering about your wall color. A painted mantle, that has some of the color of the stone and wall, would look great. Not the white or black, though.

I like the walnut color to pull in the floor color. Have you thought about extending the mantle out to the side a bit more and putting corbels under the edge of it. Just to the sides of the stone. The black looks contemporary to me. I would use stain and then bring color in on the walls and then window treatments. The stone is a natural look and I think keeping the wood more natural than painted will tie in nicel. Just some thoughts.! Good Luck.

I definitely like the dark stained mantle. However, I think you would be happier with a more substantial mantle .
I say this because your FP is not tall.
We have a gray stone FR ourselves, only it goes all the way up to the ceiling. We made a 3 1/4" oak mantle a few years ago... (It's a plain mantle) and we are in the process of cladding it in Walnut, only because the characteristic cathederials in the oak started to bother me, it was just too busy...(Poplar on the other hand has a nice grain) Walnut does not get stained, it is a natural wood --the color is a deep walnut when the oil rubbed finish is applied. Anyhow, I can tell you how to get a 'walnut like look with popular.' I have mentioned Walnut wood to you because maybe you would want to consider Walnut. It it such a rich looking wood.
What color are your floors and wood furniture in the room going to be?

You said you're making it out of poplar, have you ever stained popular before? It is difficult to stain, as popular is usually meant for painted finishes. I do think it is a lovely grained wood and have used it a lot in all my window mantles etc...We have stained popular with success, and if your interested, I can tell you how to do it.

Joann

I like the dark wood stain best. The black looks nice too, but will you have any other black accents in the room?

Thanks for all your responses.

The FP size is about 8'1" W and about 5' T. It is pretty big. The problem is that the lower portion of the vaulted ceiling is on that side.

cliff_and_Joann - I have never stained poplar - if you could please give me tips - that would be great.

The wall color is a light tan. It is Lowes/Valspar Woodrow Wilson Putty. DH agrees it needs to be a darker color.

I have to run for now. Be back later to read the rest.

dark stain has my vote

roor, You didn't tell me what color your furniture is going to be... however, since you like the dark stain, I am going to assume you want a dark finish.
Firstly, the only stain I ever use is Minwax oil based stain. I use Provincial, English Chestnut and Golden Pecan. I make my own mix using these three colors.
When we first built our mantle between the LR and DR we built it out of Poplar. I researched it as best I could (this was before the internet)I was told poplar was for painting and not staining, it doesn't take stain well, as it stains unevenly and looks terrible. (this is true)

Firstly, pick out the poplar wood that has NO green in it. The stain will not cover the green.

The first thing you have to do is seal it. If you don't seal it it will be a mess and look blotchy and the stain will take unevenly. You can either seal it with Boiled Linseed oil (this is how I seal all my wood now) The waiting time for BLO is three to five days, before you can begin staining. Then your stain can be applied.

However, when we did the mantle (years ago) we didn't know about BLO, so I sealed it by first staining it with golden Pecan, then wait a few hours and stain it with the darker stain.
Do a lot of scrap pieces (with the golden pecan first, then the stain) to test the color you want. I mixed Provincial and English Chestnut with a splash of golden pecan to get the color I wanted. I got a perfect match with my dining room set. So if you have furniture, you can try and match it, but in my opinion if you can't match it then go darker. After you apply the stain, wait 2 days before the final finish is applied such as Minwan semi gloss poly. Before you apply the poly
lightly sand with very fine sandpaper and clean with a tack cloth before applying the poly.
I apply the poly (thinned down slightly with turpentine) with a rag. I apply thin coats, waiting a day between coats. If it is too shiny
it can be sanded lightly with 000 steel wool to the desired finish.
If you thin down the poly and apply with a rag, use four to five coats.
Note: applying the poly with a rag, give you more professional look. You'll have more control to achieve an even finish -- without heavy shiny uneven spots or drips on the wood.

Joann

The mantle and the curios are poplar, as well as the stained glass window mantle -- next to the china cabinet.
If you want it more reddish add more English Chestnut, if you want it more walnut add more provincial stain.