[OP]
Member
This is what it looked like before I tore it out. I had already removed the tile from the front of the hearth.
Mantle Before.jpg
Here are some pictures of the new one. My wife and I worked on the design together and I completed the work this morning. Just in time for the holiday season.
New Mantle Front View.jpg
Angle View.jpg
Mantle Detail.jpg
Column Detail.jpg
Thanks for looking.
Take Care and Enjoy Life...
Looks great. Happy Holidays to you.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
– Samuel Butler
Moderator
A night & day transformation. Well done!
Please help support the Creek.
"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
Andy Rooney
Member
Awesome mantel and surround
The hearth tile seems to attract my attention more the the mantel and surround
sort of a distraction to me
Maybe I am just weird...
Contributor
Wow !! What a difference ! Incredible carving.
[OP]
Member
Thought I should add a comment here - The corbels and carvings at the bottom were purchased. I wish I had those kind of carving skills.
Phil - That was by design to pull your eyes away from all of the mistakes on the wood. LOL
Member
That is quite a dramatic improvement over the original!
Contributor
Looks GREAT.......
Army Veteran 1968 - 1970
I Support the Second Amendment of the US Constitution
Member
Looks great Raymond! What kind of wood is that? Looks like either Cherry or Mahogany to me.
Ben
Contributor
It's a marvelous look. The corbels match the frieze so well.
[OP]
Member
Thanks for all the comments everyone.
Ben - The all of the flat wood is poplar. The carved wood is maple.
Member
Very nice work. Really like that !!
Member
Originally Posted by Raymond Fries
Wow, what was your finishing schedule? Fooled me!
Ben
[OP]
Member
Ben
I started with Charles Neil's blotch control. One quart was plenty for this project. It is an awesome sealer and I recommend it to anyone. I sealed the maple as well just to ensure the stain was applied evenly between the two different types of wood. The stain was an oil based custom color that I had mixed to match the woodwork in our home. I finished the project off with Minwax wipe on poly with a satin sheen.
It was a little learning curve using the sealer as this was my first experience with it. I learned that the stain needed to be applied in two or three really thin coats and wait until it was hard before going on to the next coat. If I applied to much, it looked painted and the grain did not come through. If the stain was not hard enough, the new coat would smear what I had already applied. I actually sanded the two columns down and started over because I did not like the look. I am so glad I took the extra time and I am really pleased with the way it came out. The grain looks awesome and the maple matches the poplar very well.
Take Care and Enjoy Life...
Contributor
Nice change...Big improvement....
Jerry
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote