Mantel or no mantel? The entire width or not?

Question

I am having a very difficult time in trying to see if I should have installed a mantel or just a nice big picture.

Debi53 · Answer

I actually don't care for mantels and always remove them from my fireplaces. However, your fireplace is so huge, I actually think you need a large rustic mantel to break it up. I would do one almost the whole way across, but leave room on each side for a couple of oversize sconces/candle holders with large chunky candles. Then prop or hang a really large picture. Decorate the mantel with pots of greenery, old books , and pottery for warmth.

William · Answer

I would put a full length mantel. Agree with a chunky rustic beam held up by corbels. A picture or large clock over the firebox would delineate  the fireplace itself. A potted plant, some small candle sconces, etc., on the left rest of the mantle.

Jackie Byrd · Answer

Do what I did and Photoshop your picture. You might agree that a mantel over each fireplace can look like eyebrows. This is a great way to play around with possible solutions.

Nicole Dominique Reissent · Answer

It is beautiful as it is: no mantel!

Mary Jane Spaulding · Answer

You need a mantel.

Julie@Cut Off in the Keweenaw · Answer

I vote for the mantel - large and rustic - nearly the width of the fireplace.

CrowEyes · Answer

First and foremost, your fireplace is BEAUTIFUL!  My first thought was to leave the line of the fireplace as it is (though it would depend on the overall look of the room itself).  If you place a mantel on the wall, consider either the material used or the actual linear line of the mantel to be different than a few horizontal strips of wood.  Because of the line being a strong [horizontal] statement in the room (relative to the high ceilings) ...it would have to fit the theme...the chi (?) of the room.  Otherwise that is all you will see when you walk in.  (Sorry about the long chat here...no coffee yet. ;) )

Del · Answer

I would leave it as it is, Because there is a shelf below the right hand fireplace a mantel over it also could make it looked boxed in and cramped. The shelf does not extend beneath the left hand one so it could look odd. I have also noticed that the top of left hand fireplace is slightly lower that the right hand one, a mantel going straight across both could accentuate this difference.

Sugarmouse · Answer

its absolutely BEAUTIFUL as is. With that much stone i dont think anything is necessary except maybe a nice piece of artwork  be it a painting or something created from natural  stuff like a beautiful branch or a rug  or something quilted depending on the rest of the decor   perhaps a nice hornets nest hanging off the  branch?

Barbara Babb-Peddle · Answer

This fireplace is beautiful, but a thick rustic mantel running the full width of the stone would make this look absolutely stunning.  Then just a few well placed artifacts atop the mantel would totally make this look tastefully finished. I would not have any items around the fireplace below the mantel at all. Please don't place a picture over the mantel as it would take away from the look and would cover up that beautiful stone.

Tan1781564 · Answer

How about a large mirror to accent color of bricks-can always change if u don't like

Kristin · Answer

I would love it even more with a full length, wooden beam. Something like a 12x12 hand hewn beam about eye level. The branches idea also sounds interesting.

Bar822173 · Answer

I grew up in a house with the same kind of fireplace, though ours was reclaimed brick. Our rustic mantel ran the full length of the fireplace. My mom accessorized it beautifully (wish I had a photo at hand to show you.) She placed a large painting right in the middle with two smaller ones on each side that she layered to slightly overlap it. You could do this with mirrors also. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but one of her friends who was an interior designer helped her and advised her to make the focal point dead center. Then she arranged a grouping of candlesticks on the left side roughly 1/2 as high as the largest painting , and another grouping of coach lanterns at the other end, also roughly 1/2 as high as the painting. She even had the presence of mind to have the mantle made extra deep so that it would accommodate lots of holiday greenery and her favorite decorations at Christmas.  Underneath the mantle on the brick bench she placed a collection of primitive wood statues,  again, dead center between the fire box and the firewood niche, pretty much where you have your spheres of greenery now.  In the winter she would remove the statues and replace them with  fireplace tools and a brass kettle filled with kindling. You can always sketch  the various layouts to see what you prefer.

D fuhrman · Answer

i think a mantel the full width of the fire place.

Sugarmouse · Answer

how about making it simple no artistic skills needed      form your twigs into a wreath  maybe a square one thats different    or go back to one big branch and the hornets nest    they are works of art in themselves  wait till its good and cold before you touch the nest  i made the mistake of bringing one in before it was really cold and just the warmth in the house woke up the few that were left in the best so we had hornets flying around the living room  ifb that concerns you about now there should be plenty of empty birds nests  maybe sit one within the square wreath

Pamela Gast · Answer

No mantel.......less is more. The stone is beautiful

Bau11229605 · Answer

I would install a live edge mantle - about 2'-3' thick and 8- 10' deep

Carol · Answer

Mantle yes, reclaimed rustic wood will be gorgeous using dark stain to go with beams.

Mar7419110 · Answer

I would put a full size mantel  and/or a large maybe metal art scrupture or pieces for mantel,  Also I would be some large branches in a vase on the right to move your eye  to stone.
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Johnchip · Answer

Striking wall as is. There is a reason the original architect did not include the mantle even with the beams above.  But i can see one being practical and not harming the room but there is something so haunting about the bare naked stone wall with its fire pits.  Just some big art piece would get trite and boring in time and would need changing unless it was a VanGough.  Season stuff unless only for a few weeks kinda cheapens the greatness of the wall as it is only decoration. Tough call.  My only other brilliant idea is go modern and use a glass mantle with grey metal  or invisible brackets. It would not distract from the stone's integrity, give the floating shelf you may want, and bring new character to your 'castle'.

Mantel or no mantel? The entire width or not?

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Mantel or no mantel? The entire width or not?

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