After the 1800’s the mantel was in every living room over the fire for cooking and heating the home. As homes advanced and became more elegant so did the fireplace. At first it was just a simple, wooden shelf with a few herbs and spices hanging from it. Then people started to design sophisticated carvings and the fireplace mantels became what they are today.
A majority of mantels are made of wood and the most popular type is oak. Other types of wood are maple, walnut, and hickory. Hickory is easier to stain and is very strong but it can crack. Our custom-designed mantels can be designed to specifically compliment the style that already exists in the room. Our expert team can help you decide the type of wood specifically for your home so there’s no need to redecorate. Here are some unique designs to look into for your home.
Modern: Modern mantel designs involve clean lines and simplicity. White or neutral tones of paint with a flat fireplace, maybe a few simple carvings to show some texture is as minimal as modern gets. Some modern designs can have wood or stone materials as well. Modern isn’t all bad. Simplicity is at times, better to have in a busy room.
Classic: Classic includes marble or other stones. This design comes from ancient Greece and Rome and some components of this culture still manifest to modern designs today. Classic Greek mantels are beautifully carved with exceptional detail. They do tend to run on the pricier side because the entire fireplace is made of marble.
Victorian: Victorian is always a more luxurious design with elaborate carvings and trimmings. They can be made of either wood or marble and were created during the long reign of Queen Victoria in the mid 1800’s. The carvings are carefully crafted and most common with flowers and patters. They can give an impression of sturdiness despite the décor.
Rustic: Rustic style mantels combines traditional and modern elements for a more natural look. They are usually made of wood but can also be of made of stone. A rustic mantel will also show more indents of the natural wood such as wormholes, wood knots, and saw markings. They can be stained to preserve the natural look of wood for a long time. Occasionally, you’ll want to re-stain to help the wood last for years to come.
There are so many different designs for mantels. Finding the perfect fit for your home and design with Out Of The Woods professionals will be a breeze. Speaking of finding the perfect fit, most fireplaces are standard with a width of 36 or 48 inches and a height of 52 to 58 inches. They can range to be 7 or 8 inches deep but can vary depending on which style of mantel and what will be placed on it. The depth of the shelf must also be in conformance with fire and safety codes. It is also important to consider the proportions of the room without overpowering the interior design.
Whatever design or style of mantel you want for your home, we can help make this eye-catching piece be the heart of your room. If you have any further questions on designing a new mantel or replacing an old one, we are always here to help. Contact our office today to find the perfect fireplace mantel for your home.
