Help Design Our Mantel!

[Disneyphile]

Hi everyone!

My dad's offered to build us a mantel for the fireplace in our new home. He said I just need to send a design and dimensions, and he'll do the rest.

I took a gander online, but nothing really sticks out for us.

So, if any of you creative types out there would love to help design our mantel, we'd love to see/read your suggestions and ideas! Or, if you find a picture/link of something cool, please post it!

We're looking for something that's not too plain, and not too fancy. Something that might be found in a "Middle Earth/Hobbit" house, and in dark wood, or faux finish. The opening needs to be 4-feet wide by 3-feet tall for a gas fireplace.

Thanks. :)

[3894]

We're looking for something that's not too plain, and not too fancy. Something that might be found in a "Middle Earth/Hobbit" house, and in dark wood, or faux finish. The opening needs to be 4-feet wide by 3-feet tall for a gas fireplace.

How fun! Your inspiration is great. After all, who is a better host than Bilbo Baggins? Who has a more comfortable life? Only Mr. Badger from The Wind and the Willows comes close, IMO. I'm really loving this inspiration. Genius!

I was thinking you'd need a stone surround, not granite (too cold, hard, modern) until I saw this one (http://www.mantelsdirect.com/sophia.html). Does that at least come close to your vision? Or is it too angular and Victorian?

Best wishes for this project. I can't wait to see what it looks like! You are going to be posting pics, right?

[JWBear]

How about something like this?

http://www.reyespoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/home03.jpg

[Not Afraid]

Inspiration?http://www.teresalayman.com/images/hobbit5.jpghttp://www.taunton.com/CMS/uploadedImages/Images/Homebuilding/Articles/hobbit05_med.jpg
http://www.bscamps.homestead.com/files/hobbit-2bobe.jpg

[Not Afraid]

Or....
http://rusticwooddesigns.com/Rustic_Fireplace_Mantles_Shelves_Hearth_Accessorie s/White_Pine_Mantle_with_Posts_for_Rustic_Fireplace_ design_xmas__lg.jpg

[Gemini Cricket]

I know!
Put mouse ears all over it.
Then it could be a Mickey mantel.


:D

[JWBear]

Ouch.

[Morrigoon]

T: first and foremost, can you post a pic of the current fireplace?

[Kevy Baby]

Here is what to do with the Fireplace:

http://www.craphound.com/images/tikifireplace.jpg

[Kevy Baby]

While looking for stuff, I found this Rotating Fireplace of Glass and Steel (http://uk.gizmodo.com/2006/09/12/berlin_rotating_fireplace_of_g.html)

http://uk.gizmodo.com/fireplace.jpg

[Disneyphile]

Loving the ideas so far! Keep 'em coming! Except for that rotating thing. :p

We'll probably decide on a few different ones and then do a composite of sorts.

Here's the fireplace in its current state:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Disneyphile/Condo/054f74cb.jpg

Since it's a rental property, we can't alter the face of it - just build around it. Otherwise, I would have LOVED the one JWBear posted. That's gorgeous!

The tiki one is fun, but a wee bit too big for the living room. ;) And, we're keeping tiki confined to the dining room still. We're trying to go more Middle Earth with the living room.

[Morrigoon]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/morrigoon/LoT%20images/fireplace.jpg

[Morrigoon]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/morrigoon/LoT%20images/tsfireplace.jpg

[Disneyphile]

Ooooh, Goonie!!! :eek:

We looooooooove that!

That's a concept... remember our tree of life from the wedding? My dad could always burn it onto a small piece of wood to be mounted in the center. Hmmmm.