Fireplace mantel must fit room’s style, architecture

Dinner at a client's home is always a happy occasion because it's a positive sign that they're pleased with my work. It's also an ideal time to talk about progress on a project, plans for the future and even interject any kind of constructive criticism or suggestions that either the client or I might have.

And so there I was, on a recent evening, settling into a client's living room and about to enjoy a second cup of after-dinner coffee when I noticed a distinct lull in the conversation, a quick-but-decisive look between my clients (husband and wife), both looking straight ahead toward the fireplace when the fairer of the sex plaintively asked, "What do you think is wrong with this fireplace?"

I took a gulp of coffee (for extra courage) and replied that I'd never really thought about it before, but as they were asking for my opinion, I was ready to give it. With a deep breath and a studied look on my face, I told them that, first off, the scale of the fireplace mantel was all wrong -- not only for the size of the actual fireplace opening, but also for the look of their two-story room, the architecture of their home and, finally and most importantly, for the new overall design that they wanted to achieve, which was a relaxed, but refined Tuscan style.

At that point, looking at each other and nodding in agreement, they encouraged me to go on with my assessment and suggestions. They were ready to do something -- whatever it would take. And so I began my primer on fireplace mantels right then and there from my seat on their living room sofa.

The mantelpiece, I began, is the general term for the jambs (the vertical pieces that form the sides of the fireplace), the mantel shelf and any external accessories of a fireplace. It should be functional, stylish (i.e. suited for the design of your home) and should serve as more than just mere eye candy because it's a great place to put pictures, art pieces and the like.

I told them that they had achieved step one, as they had already decided on the style they preferred. And, having decided that, it's easy for us to go on to the next step, which is determining the material to be used. In their case, it would obviously be wood and not any kind of stone or marble, as these are colder materials that present a much bolder statement and are often, though not always, used for a more contemporary look.

Wood mantels on a fireplace give it a softer and cozier look, which is very much the feeling they want to have in their home. Wood mantels are elegant, to be sure, and would go a long way to accentuate the beauty of their home as well as adding additional value.

I added that since their home already had a lot of woodwork in it, such as moldings and cabinetry (and there were plans of putting in a wood floor as well), the wood mantelpiece would go far in adding to the ambience they wanted to achieve.

I finished up by saying that the fireplace is almost always the focal point of a room, (even when competing with a large-screen television), and usually that room is the centerpiece of that home, and so it must, of necessity, be as beautiful and as important looking as it possibly can.

I went on to assure them that they could have the fireplace of their dreams without costing them an arm and a leg as we could utilize various manufactured elements for the onlays, posts, moldings and corbels, etc. that would go far in helping with their budget and still not compromise the elegant, hand-carved look they were hoping to see. That last comment went over like gangbusters, by the way, and I was given the go-ahead to design the biggest and most wonderful mantelpiece for them that I could. (And I did, measuring 66 inches high and in perfect scale to the enormously high ceiling in that room.)

The finished product is beautiful to behold and I do believe helped spur my clients on to remodel the entire space to go with their new fireplace -- so wonderfully powerful and appropriate is its design.

I love the mantelpiece I designed, not only for its look, but for the opportunity it gave me to create a personal statement for them (the lion's head onlays were the choice of my client as he's a Leo). It's a look that's unique to them as well as to the room that's now being created while, at the same time, helping to define their chosen style of design.

And by the way, there really was a man named Gideon Algernon Mantell (1790-1852), who the fireplace mantel was named after, the "Mantell-piece," and I, for one, remain eternally in his debt for his contribution to design.

Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design International; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to stephen@soleildesign
international.com.