Should I add a mantel to the fire place?

[tudorrevival]

Thanks for the nice comments about my house and the info on your floor and trim color. Very interesting. You can see some photos of my house here, though I should add some photos of the upstairs: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=28884

I believe that our floors are close to the original color. On our 3rd floor, where they have obviously never been refinished, they are the same color. Our trim was originally very dark, though. I am going to do a separate post asking for guidance on trim color and color for the replacement interior doors, which I hope to buy in the next year or two.

[Don M]

I like Artfox's suggestion; I think a simple horizontal mantle above the firebox would look very nice. I agree that it doesn't look finished to my eye as it is.

[cadrad]

I found this when I was online earlier. I immediately thought of you! http://www.antiquehome.org/Millwork/Bil ... w-1219.htm neat site!

[jwesevich]

Thanks for the shortcut, Steve!

jeff

[angolito]

You would be Adding a detail which is pleasing to you and it looks like you will make every effort to make it appropriate. If you were tearing out original material or significantly altering the interior I'd think a second. Its funny, but the thing most people admire when they come in our house is the ceiling details. I Added those to give me a place to paint to since the walls were so wonky!

Keep looking at original photos of old houses of your home's age and character and use those for the concept. Be sure to make a note of the date and the addition when you install it on the back somewhere.

[Kansas. 1911.]

I vote no mantel. Paint is easy to change so paint if you want. The mantel picture that Steven found looks appropriate until you see the trim up top. You don't have that top trim, so what ya gonna do, add top trim? Big old growing problem--paint, mantle, trim, and then you end up with that inlay that you want to keep. That's a big decorating nightmare as to proportion. It will look out of scale with the new mantle so you will wind up covering it up. Then you can add all the things you dust. Why don't you cover it up now with a big tapestry and see if you like the infusion of color and the scale?

What is it exactly that makes you unhappy in the room? Does everyone walk in and ask, "Did this ever have a mantle and are you going to put it back?"

I think you are opening a can of worms and making needless work for yourself. Soon it will be time to do yard work and then you won't have to look at it anymore. This is just my two cents and now I need more coffee.

[Don M]

Tell us how you really feel!

[downtowndahlgren]

I already had my coffee, but I agree with Kansas. Just my .0175 cents worth (indexed by inflation.)

[rkcorrigan]

I found this when I was online earlier. I immediately thought of you! http://www.antiquehome.org/Millwork/Bil ... w-1219.htm neat site!

Wow that's pretty right on with the ship and everything. I like how the mantel hits right where the fireplace starts to taper. I bought some paint samples at Ace this weekend but I haven't had a chance to try them out. I will soon and post photos!

[rkcorrigan]

What is it exactly that makes you unhappy in the room? Does everyone walk in and ask, "Did this ever have a mantle and are you going to put it back?"

I think you are opening a can of worms and making needless work for yourself. Soon it will be time to do yard work and then you won't have to look at it anymore. This is just my two cents and now I need more coffee.

I guess the bareness of the fireplace without a mantel jumped out at me after I took down the holiday decor. We didn't have anywhere to put our stockings so I hung a piece of garland between the two sconces and hooked the stocking right onto the garland. It looked just perfect. When I took down the decorations in January suddenly it looks so bare with out the garland going across it.