Antique Fireplace Mantels
If you are ready to invest in a new fireplace mantel, you have several options to choose from. A growing trend is the demand for antique fireplace mantels. Whether your are purchasing an already restored piece or obtaining an antique to refurbish and restore yourself, there are several notable styles to choose from.
Rustic Fireplace Mantels
If you are looking for a unique fireplace mantel and with an air natural beauty, marble or stone mantels may not be the best choice. A rustic fireplace mantel made from wood, however, may fit your tastes perfectly.
Why Rustic Mantels Are So Popular
One of the biggest consumer markets for rustic fireplace mantels are people who appreciate nature even when it's in its more unpolished forms. The charm of rustic mantels comes from the fact they are typically made from lumber that may not appear completely finished, which lends to its handmade charm. They are very affordable and ideal for casual settings, unlike many cultured and cast stone mantels. Rustic fireplace mantels also, almost always, have a one-of-a-kind appearance due primarily to the individual variations within the grain and shape of the wood itself.
Stone Fireplace Mantels
When it comes to choosing a fireplace mantel, there are several choices that must be taken into consideration. The style of the mantel is essential since it must reflect your personal style and taste as well as accent the decor of the room it is in. The size of the mantel will determine how large of a focal point it will become in the room. The most important choice, however, when selecting a new mantel is what material it should be made from. The two most common types are wood and stone. A stone fireplace mantel is not only beautiful, its also extremely durable, and can be found in a variety of designs.
Fireplace Mantels
Fireplace mantels serve many purposes. They can be extremely ornate and decorative in design, highlighting the fireplace as the focal point of a room. Mantels can also be functional in design, providing a shelf to display photos or other knick knacks. Of course, as the retail market has deemed appropriate during the holiday season, fireplace mantels are designed to display Christmas cards, be decked with garland, and be hung with stockings. While all of these uses are still rather visual in nature as opposed to functional, the original fireplace mantels were strictly a functional component of the fireplace.