Another Monster Mantle

[Grasshopper]

I look forward to seeing the build pics.  I plan to build out my mantle this year, so this thread is timely.

Peter, I like the clean lines of the drawing you did.

 

[nerfball]

Peter, that looks great. I do agree with Tim that the upper columns could be a little thinner. I think it might look a little top heavy when installed.

I'm too new around here so I haven't seen any of your work but so far I really admire your sketchup skills!  ;D

 

[peter halle]

Just a quick image to show how big this is.  It will be about 4 inches taller than shown.  The upper rail and the side stiles are wider because the excess wood will flow behind the upper columns and the head piece to give a nice clean joint.  The plywood for the upper panels has also been cut so there won't be that brick there.

Set this up and blocked it in place so that the owners could see the scale of the work.  (Husband saw the lower portion over the weekend and asked if that was all it was going to be.  LOL) I am off for a road trip to NIH tomorrow so giving them a sense of progress helps calm the nerves.

I rough it all out and then add the moldings.  Will probably move the Kapex into the living room to do those.

[attachimg=1]

 

[peter halle]

Almost done with my part:

[attachimg=1]

Peter

 

[roblg3]

Gee Peter, it looks good unpainted with the contrasting colors the way it is!

 

[Billedis]

Peter, you do great work.  I liked the photo of the mantle on 3/2, however, the one today I would have liked to see the bottom posts as wide as the detail just above them as it looks like they support the whole wall.  Thank you so much for your contributions.  Bill

 

[peter halle]

Bill,  I appreciate your comment.  Are you saying that visually the bottom "columns" appear narrower than the uppers?  They actually are wider and that is why I am asking.  I really want to know so that I can do better the next time.

When I do one of these (rarely) I stand back and look.  That is why I post these - to get critiques - tough or otherwise.  This will be in their home for a decade or more. 

Peter

 

[GPowers]

The white washed brick have a more up to date modern look.

 

[roblg3]

is there any type of pitch on the upper most part?  Something like a witches hat on top could help with the dust catching...If you can do it slight enough not to be seen?

 

[rst]

That is going to look fantastic finished...are they going with dark or light color?

 

[Billedis]

Bill,  I appreciate your comment.  Are you saying that visually the bottom "columns" appear narrower than the uppers?  They actually are wider and that is why I am asking.  I really want to know so that I can do better the next time.

When I do one of these (rarely) I stand back and look.  That is why I post these - to get critiques - tough or otherwise.  This will be in their home for a decade or more. 

Peter

Yes, Peter, they look narrow in the photo, but when looking again, I think it is due to the angle of the photo, not straight on.  Also with the molding being a different color may throw it off as well.  Thank you for not taking my post as being critical or offensive.  Again I think you do outstanding work.  Bill

 

[Kevin McConville]

Peter - this looks nice, a good job to get back into the swing of things.

When you design the features do you go by feel for proportions or are your main rectangles based off "golden rectangles" (height to width ratio approx. 1.6)?

 

[Rob-GB]

Peter, from what it was, a mass of un-inspiring faced brickwork, to what it is now becoming is like chalk and cheese...sure you can eat both but only one will help sustain you and taste nice too.  ;D
Looking forward to the final photo,  [big grin]

Rob.

 

[Tinker]

Peter, it is great o see you back to work. 

I think the mantle is great, but I do tend to agree with those who have suggested narrowing down the top sections. When i first looked at the last pic you show, i thought the bottom pillars were thinner than the upper which to me is a nono. After close look, i decided the photography might have something to do with it.  I, having been into the part you are hiding for so many years, have used little trcks to keep tops of chimneys from looking overbearing when fully exposed. In thecae of the chimney you show, with the high windows so close, it is difficult to create any sort of optical illusion.  White washing the brick work is a nice touch and does serve the purpose of slimming the whole appearance. 

Great job and again, it is so great to see you back at it.  Keep it going.
Tinker

 

[honeydoman]

Looks great peter! Like design

Make actual mantel top thicker. Like 2" 1/4 thick with mice edge. Or 1" 1/2. With 1x2 edge with nice router edge on eat makes it beefier

Also when this is painted it will look great and your proportions are fine

 

[WildCard]

Looks good I would have gone a little further and done bolection moulding around those flat panels.

 

[tiralie]

Peter:
Since you first posted your project drawings I have gone back and done some research on over mantles and just how would I approach a project like this.
I have never done one.
It has been fun and very educational for me. I have a lot to learn.

You are probably aware, but others may not be so here a couple resources that I found or revisited that helped me to  put the design of over mantles in some context.

This post/article, (one of my favorites) from Gary Katz's site on a Mantel With Recessed Flat Screen Television

This is Carpentry has featured many Brett Hull articles on design and the use of moldings

Brett Hull's Timeless House blog and his analysis of the The Chestertown Mantle are great resources.

Brett Hull has a great series on Vimeo on designing with columns and molding.

The books, Traditional American Rooms and Get Your House Right are great resources.

BTW, here is an amazing project they are currently working on in his shop. Very inspiring stuff.

Thanks again for posting.
Tim

 

[AlexThePalex]

I agree with Kreg the mantle could be a bit thicker, like at least 1 1/2". It's so thin now it doesn't do justice to the overal design. 

 

[rvieceli]

Tim - I don't know if you are aware of these but the White Pine Series Monographs are an excellent resource. Started in 1915 by the White Pine Bureau, they focused on using white pine in the building trades. The photography is excellent and there are usually measured drawings of several examples of trim, etc from historical homes and buildings. I had the distinct pleasure of actually seeing them in real life as our college library had the entire series.

The Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association has made the entire collection as well as some recent publications they sponsor in the same vein available on line. Here are the links:

http://easternwhitepine.org/white-pine-monographs/

http://easternwhitepine.org/white-pine-monographs/1910s/

Ron

 

[tiralie]

The Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association has made the entire collection as well as some recent publications they sponsor in the same vein available on line. Here are the links:

http://easternwhitepine.org/white-pine-monographs/

http://easternwhitepine.org/white-pine-monographs/1910s/

Thanks Ron.
I do remember going to that site sometime ago but I had totally forgotten about it.
Wish they would publish those monographs in PDF too.
Tim