Idea of the Week: Driftwood Mantel
Green builders turn black walnut river log into one-of-a-kind accent piece
Vanessa Brunner
October 1, 2011
Houzz Contributor
In a preppy and modern Nantucket home full of reclaimed and reused materials, the driftwood mantel in the living room stands out. The homeowners found this reclaimed piece of black walnut from a river log in the Mississippi River. The wood was cleaned with compressed air and a soft brush to remove any cobwebs or mud.
Then 3 custom 3/8” metal plates were welded to a 3/4” steel dowel. The plates were screwed into the wall stud and covered with Venetian plaster, leaving the dowels sticking out. Three matching holes were drilled into the driftwood, and a silicon insert was used to attach the driftwood to the dowels. As a result, the mantel appears to almost float off of the wall.
Then 3 custom 3/8” metal plates were welded to a 3/4” steel dowel. The plates were screwed into the wall stud and covered with Venetian plaster, leaving the dowels sticking out. Three matching holes were drilled into the driftwood, and a silicon insert was used to attach the driftwood to the dowels. As a result, the mantel appears to almost float off of the wall.
While the construction requires some skill, finding a piece of wood that would fit in this area was just as much of a challenge. "Finding the right size and shape of the wood was a little difficult," says Chris Komenda of Woodmeister Master Builders. "But for us, that's part of the fun of reusing something unique and reclaimed."
Our other favorite part about this room in this National Green Building Standard Gold-certified home: The stunning fireplace surround made from pieces of petrified wood. Woodmeister Master Builders acquired this amazing piece through Cumar Marble and Granite in Everett, Mass.
More: Photos of mantels in design
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Our other favorite part about this room in this National Green Building Standard Gold-certified home: The stunning fireplace surround made from pieces of petrified wood. Woodmeister Master Builders acquired this amazing piece through Cumar Marble and Granite in Everett, Mass.
More: Photos of mantels in design
Idea of the Week: Barstool Cozies
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