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One of the most important elements of your fireplace is not what is in it, but rather what is on it, such as fireplace mantles. Mantles are one of the most popular design aspects in any room and allow a special spot to display those particular important items in your collection. Also, a fireplace mantle provides you with a spot to further serve as a focal point to the design aspects of your room. Look to purchase antique fireplace mantles or even consider making your own in order to find the best style for your needs.
Most fireplace mantles come with the fireplace surround and the actual firebox. However, many more designs over the years have expanded mantles to be stunning works of design that occupy entire walls. Before you install any old mantle, consider the room itself and find a design that best complements your space. For rooms with soaring cathedral ceilings, consider doing a floor to ceiling fireplace surround and a more stunning mantle to form a dramatic element in your room. However, this larger display may overpower smaller rooms, which may look best with a simple shelf that serves as the fireplace mantle. Once you have determined the needs of your room, you can begin looking for the specific design in the vast sea of fireplace mantles. Antique fireplace mantles have become a super trend that allows you to blend several looks or complete the reproduction feel of a historic home. However, keep in mind that the fire codes when these antique mantles were manufactured were not as rigorous as today’s codes, so ensure the mantle follows all safety measures before you install it in your home. Some antique fireplace mantles do not offer a wide enough opening for the firebox and may need to be altered in some manner before installation. If you are having difficulty finding a specific model out of the vast array of fireplace mantles on the market, consider making your own. Especially if you living in smaller space, you may have difficulty finding an appropriate sized mantle, so the choice to make your own is likely the best. Consider looking to larger models for inspiration or even having a professional woodworker craft a stunning fireplace mantle specifically for your space. However you decide to construct your mantle, consider looking to publications and books of fireplace mantles to get ideas in your design plan. Fireplace mantles are a great way to add interest and pizzazz to your room. After you have installed the mantle, begin to outfit the mantle with appropriate accessories. To visibly extend your room, top the mantle with a mirror or a couple mirrors. Typically, a picture or painting is hung over the fireplace mantle, but you may want to combine several smaller pictures for mantles of a smaller scale. Also, consider showcasing your treasured collectibles or family heirlooms on your fireplace mantle. In the end, the actual design plan of fireplace mantles is completely up to you and limited only by your accessories and your imagination. |
