I don't normally do fireplace mantles but this one was for my brother and his wife. I did an overall design for updating the exterior of their house with some craftsman details. This mantle brings some of those motifs into the interior. The hearth is cast concrete with a bullnose edge detail to match the kitchen counters. The mantle is American Elm and is finished with clear lacquer. I really like Elm for pieces like this because it can look older than it really is. The mantle cap is a bit over 7' wide and almost 4" thick, it is the only part that is hollow. I have made many mantles in the past as patterns for casting in plaster or concrete. It was a treat to get to make one in wood.
© Robin Corell 2005