The mantle is only 3 1/4" tall.
This one uses 2.5" wide boards and allows me to pull them away from the firebox for a more "conventional" look.
However, it looks a bit fussy to me.
This is a drawing using 3.5" boards. That means it is wider than the mantle. Not really a proportion I'm sure works. It also means I can't set the inside piece back from the firebox opening.
I like how substantial it looks and it's closer in feel to the Arts and Crafts look I want. The husband prefers it as well. I could paint the mantle dark to give it more oomph. I did try taking it back to the bare wood, but previous folks didn't prime and it's stained teal. Nonetheless, I don't really want the mantle to stand out--I just don't want it to look funny.
I'm not sure.
What do you think? 2.5" or 3.5"?
Thanks.
4 comments :
I like the top picture of the 2.5 better, but the difference seems small to me so I say go with the one you prefer...
I like the second one better (I agree with your Arts & Crafts comment) and don't think the mantle width is a problem. However, if it was a problem, another thing you could do would be to box in the mantle in a mantle-shaped box to make it deeper/wider. You could also stain and varnish the box to give a dark wood effect.
Thank you both.
It's a shame I can't do the whole thing in quarter sawn oak!
I think I like the 2nd one better.
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