Fireplace Mantel Shelves...
Standout Styles & Profiles!

Fireplace mantel shelves -- particularly those made from wood -- can  be crafted  in  a variety of ways to give a fireplace a wide range of different looks . . . . from very rugged and rustic to extremely sleek and chic!    In addition  to  its  practical  function as a place to showcase family photos, treasured  mementos  and  holiday  decor, a fireplace mantel shelf can, in large part,  define the style of a room.    By simply changing the profile of
the mantel shelf,  you can go from a very traditional, formal to semiformal look, such as that pictured in the striking examples above and below . . .

. . . . . . to a much more casual and laid-back -- even slightly whimsical -- look,  such as shown in the example below right, where the room's nautical theme is carried over to the mantel shelf in the shape of a ship's hull.

For a truly rustic or "Adirondack" look,  a rugged, unadorned and unfinished squared off timber will
do nicely, as depicted in the two examples below.

Alternatively,  a peeled and split log works well as a mantel shelf in the ex-
ample below left . . . . as does a piece of natural driftwood in the example below right by master stone artisan, Lew French.

See more extraordinary stone fireplace designs by Lew French!

More Rustic Fireplace Designs

For  a uniquely personal statement,
a  hand-carved  mantel  shelf  is a
great way to showcase a hobby or favorite pastime.    The wilderness scenes carved in the fireplace man-
tel  shelves  at right and below are
ideal for anyone who loves to hunt
or fish in the great outdoors.

If your tastes are a bit less rustic,
but you still have a deep apprecia-
tion  for hand-crafting and quality workmanship,  the Arts and Crafts mantel shelf pictured at right may
be more to your liking.

More Arts & Crafts/Craftsman
Fireplace Designs

Craftsman Fireplace Mantel Shelves

Similarly, the handcrafted quality and finish of the fireplace mantel shelves on the Southwestern style fireplaces pictured below (top row) may also be a good fit . . . as well as the  Spanish-inspired designs with tiled surrounds (bottom row).

More Southwest Style Fireplace Designs

More Spanish-Inspired Fireplace Designs

If Country French is more your style, the following fireplace mantel shelves are hard to beat for period charm and ambiance.

More Traditional French & European-Inspired Fireplace Designs

If large and formal is what you have
in mind, the paneled mantel shelf on the  soaring green onyx surround at right is designed to impress . . . . .

as is the massive -- albeit beautifully moulded and finished -- mantel shelf on the tiled surround pictured below.

More Tile Fireplace Designs

For those wanting a lighter,  more casual and contemporary look,  the nat-
ural finish and profile of the mantel shelf pictured below,  left,  echoes  the finish  and  detailing of the adjacent entertainment center.    The  graceful curve of the mantel shelf on the slate surround pictured below, right, gives it a bit more flair and also ties it to the adjacent cabinetry.

More Contemporary Fireplace Designs

And finally,  if  your tastes are eclectic and you just can't decide upon a specific look or style,  the  fireplace pictured below may provide some in-
spiration.    Though  difficult  to categorize as belonging to any particular style,  it  presents  an interesting study in contrasts and textures.    The smooth  black  concrete  surround  has  a very contempory look and feel. However,  the irregular size,  shape and placement of the  natural stones
on the hearth and the salvaged timber used for the mantel shelf give it a rugged and rustic flavor.    Amazingly, the juxtaposition of such a diverse array of  materials and textures works exceedingly well to form a very co-
hesive and harmonious composition . . . . . not "too contemporary". . . . .
but not "too rustic," either.    It is, as Goldilocks said, "just right!"

For  more information about any of the  fireplace mantel shelves  pic-
tured here, please let us know and we'll be happy to provide it for you.

Also,  please check back often or subscribe to our RSS feed,  as we continually add new mantel shelf photos to our website.

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