Another Monster Mantle

[peter halle]

PREFACE:  I really only post these projects as educational or to give ideas to readers.  I don't do these to draw attention to myself or showcase my abilities.  Most of my life in the construction trades has been to produce items that are only seen from one side, don't require any sort of complex joinery, but can be done in time by anyone with skills, the right tools, and a desire.  I hope that this thread will give ideas to others, showcase in some ways how I use my Festools, and create some conversation that might be helpful to future readers.

HISTORY:  I was contacted by my customer back in October when I was in the midst of my chemo treatments.  She had seen a previous mantle I had built (documented here) and wanted me to talk about doing one for her.  It turns out that her son is marrying the daughter of the other mantle.  We met and discussed her desires, like, dislikes, looked at the furniture styles in her house and then she even visited Houzz and sent me images of what she liked and comments on why.  She was willing to wait until after the holidays and hopefully the end of my chemo treatments.  This is my first project since my treatments and will be revitalizing and fun for me.

PROJECT:  After living with a dark room and ugly mantle shelf for thirty years the customer wants something that interacts with the 16' tall chimney to shrink it's size perceptibly and help to lighten up the room.  The customer likes simpler designs devoid of embellishments.

THE DESIGN:  This mantle assembly will be 11' tall.  The design has been approved by the customer so other than site specific required alterations it will not be changed.  I attempted to put the emphasis on the design at eye level or below and make the upper portion a bit simpler.  Shadow lines to offer contrast versus excessive use of moldings.  Everything will be painted by the Owner as a budget constraint so the materials will meet that objective and will not be over specified.  I do this as a living - not a hobby.

So,  enjoy, critique, ask questions, comment, etc.

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Peter

 

[roblg3]

Looks good Peter!  Good luck.  I hope it's everything you need it to be, because you're workmanship certainly will not disappoint [popcorn]

 

[AlexThePalex]

The customer likes simpler designs devoid of embellishments.

If this is the simple design, I don't want to see you get complicated. [poke]

Good to see you out working again, Peter.

 

[Theshipstore]

Going to be a nice looking piece when it is completed. Looking forward to some photo's of the build

 

[mike_aa]

Peter,
How wonderful that you are back at it after all you went through.  I bet it feels great.  Looking forward to seeing the build and the final product!

Thanks, Mike A.

 

[wow]

First, good to have you back on the job. It's gotta feel good to you as well?

And what a nice design. It draws your eyes in and embraces the height, all while emphasizing the fireplace.

Very well done, sir!

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Will you provide her a long handled duster for that top shelf?  Long way up there and most people can't manage to dust the top of their kitchen cabinets.

 

[peter halle]

Thanks Guys.  It does feel great and only now do I realize how long I wasn't feeling well.  Darcy, I totally hear you.  The customer has a second floor loft that will look down across the room at the mantle.  I suppose that it will be a semi-annual event to dust because the large open space split into two panels will hold a large picture part of the year and a 4 ft diameter holiday wreath the other.

Peter

 

[Sean7a]

Really cool Peter, thanks for sharing.  That thing is a monster.  Do you have photos of the chimney in it's current state?

 

[sancho57]

Very nice traditional look Peter. It's great to see your up and about again.

 

[Billedis]

I really like it Peter, and glad to hear you are getting back at it!  Bill

 

[Brent Taylor]

It's nice to see an overmantle, not used much anymore. Can't wait to see it in real life.

 

[GPowers]

I like the simple lines, very pleasing to the eye.

 

[tiralie]

Peter:
Congratulations on getting back to work and winning this project design!

I love the simplicity of the design, and the fact that you have resisted putting a board on the cyma as is usually done (yours truly) incorrectly.
I am sure the client is very happy with what you have and will create.

Everything will be painted by the Owner as a budget constraint so the materials will meet that objective and will not be over specified.

I am somewhat confused by this...Do you mean no exotic wood will be used and off the shelf profiles will be used?

A couple of (subjective) comments on the design...

While I have done it in the past, I am not a big fan of terminating moldings unless they are actually terminating a structure. 
The main mantle could use a bedmold or supporting molding with an emphasis up rather than the emphasis out that the current cyma molding does.

I think the top columns are too wide and project too far. They look too heavy for the mantle below them. Alternatively the upper mantle entablature could be higher but it would probably make the over mantle look top heavy.

I think the top corona should extend beyond the edge of the column rather than line up with it as you have drawn. If the column width is reduced you could still achieve this and reduce the overall weight of the over mantle.

Thanks for posting, I learn a lot from analyzing others projects.
Tim

 

[peter halle]

thank you for all the comments and wishes.  Tim, thank you for your suggestions.  The upper columns are 10" wide and project 4" forward of the panel.  I certainly can mock up something for the owner reducing both the projection and also the width.  If we go that route it would result in a larger center panel area whereas the outer sides of the column are hard against the side of the brick chimney now.

[member=6108]Sean Ackerman[/member] here are a couple of images of the existing.  The trim on the windows will be changed out to a wider moulding.  Ultimately the space between the windows will dictate the size of the mantle.  Oh, the fireplace is 1 1/2 inches off center between the windows also which will also come into play.

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Peter

 

[Paul G]

Interesting project. Any secret doors planned for this one?

 

[Jeffonebuck]

Good luck with your project and Your recovery Peter.  That was a good point about the top and it being in site of second floor.  There will be some scribing up there to trim to brick and it will be flat as to attract dust.  My only thought would be to add an inverted crown to flow back to the flat top mantle cap 1x and make a nice termination and ease dusting.

 

[peter halle]

[member=19439]Paul G[/member] - I have an idea for one but am worried about pulling it off.  For those who didn't see my previous posting on a project like this, when I do one of these mantles (which is rare for me) I have fun and try to make it a project that is special for customer in a different way.  Usually I try to integrate a hidden compartment or "hidey hole" so that it is different and personalized for them.  I know that previous customers have had a fun time at parties asking others to try and find them.

Peter

 

[Birdhunter]

Fascinating discussion as I'm building a mantle for a friend. He, also, will do the painting.

My reaction to the situation is to remove the existing mantle and not replace it. Just have the brick be continuous and not interrupted.

 

[peter halle]

Sorry Dude - not an option for a guy who makes his living cutting and installing wood -  [poke]  [big grin] [big grin]
I am also much cheaper than David Copperfield and when I get done they can touch and feel versus swooping their hand thru air.

Peter

Fascinating discussion as I'm building a mantle for a friend. He, also, will do the painting.

My reaction to the situation is to remove the existing mantle and not replace it. Just have the brick be continuous and not interrupted.