Wood Fireplace Mantels . . . A Wealth Of Warmth!

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Warm Up To Wood Fireplace Mantels!

The warmth of wood fireplace mantels -- with or without a blazing fire -- is undeniable . . . . . . .

Rich, finely grained and beautifully finished hardwoods such as mahogany and cherry
lend warmth and elegance to any room
they adorn.

Other types of wood typically used to make fireplace mantels include oak, ash, maple, birch, pine and poplar. More exotic species like rosewood, wenge (below left), teak, and walnut (below right) are sometimes used, as well, particularly in contemporary fireplace design, as shown below.

In addition to the wide variety of hard and softwoods used to craft wood fireplace mantels today, an even greater array of finishes is now available to help you get the exact look you are seeking. Wood stains come in countless tones and hues, and can even be mixed to match the existing finish of your room, if necessary. Another popular choice is a painted or enameled finish.

Fireplace mantel designs pictured above by Pinecrest. Please click here to see more finely crafted wood fireplace surrounds from Pinecrest.

By combining various mantel styles, wood types, and finishing options, you have an infinite number of choices available to you to get the look and feel you want. It may seem overwhelming at first, but by following a few basic guidelines, you will get the look you're aiming for . . . . from casual to formal . . . . . traditional to contemporary.

For example, if you want a laid-back and ca-
sual look, a simple pine mantel finished with
a lightly colored stain will work very well, as shown at right.

For a more rustic and aged look, a darker stain on a hand distressed timber mantel may be a good solution.

On the other hand, if you're after a more formal look, a mahogany mantel with tra-
ditional detailing and a deep, richly colored stain finish will accomplish that objective.

Depending upon the type and texture of the material used around the firebox opening, a variety of different looks from casual to formal can
be achieved with a painted finish, as well. For a casual look, a roughly textured stone surround works well, as shown below (left). The polished marble surround lends a more formal look to the painted mantel on the right.

Another finishing option for your wood fireplace mantel is a faux finish. A highly skilled artisan can duplicate the look of nearly any material you want so that it is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Finishes can range from burled walnut and quarter sawn oak to limestone and onyx -- even metals like pewter, copper and bronze. The two mantels below are finished to look like different types of marble.

Some mantels are crafted from a combination of different types of wood . . . . . . . or even a combination of wood and other materials such as metal or stone, for a richly contrasting effect. The carved mahogany mantel (below left) comes with a black fossil stone top and silver highlights. The lighter stained pine columns on the mahogany mantel (below right) contrast nicely with the deep mahogany finish on the rest of the mantel.

The contemporary mantels below are also each made from multiple types of wood. The mantel on the left is made from maple and a dark tropical wood called wenge. On the right is a light oak mantel highlighted with walnut.