A few weeks ago, when I was out and about to pick up the recliner for the living room, I decided to stop in one of my favorite local antique shops. In case you missed the recliner, I found it on Facebook Marketplace and slipcovered it with the help of my mom. Here’s what it looks like now, but you can read about how we made the slipcover HERE.
Anyway, my primary objective was to find antique and vintage frames for my original artwork, but right away, I spotted an antique mantel leaning up against the front of the store. Just by eye-balling it, I thought it might be a good fit for our living room fireplace. Before I get into the details of the mantel, let me remind you what the fireplace looks like…
I really love the brick and the fact that it’s a wood-burning fireplace. We’ve never had either! There is something nostalgic and traditional about brick wood-burning fireplaces. Since I grew up primarily in military housing overseas, I had never had a fireplace but I always wanted one. A fireplace and a staircase. When I drew house plans as a young teenager (you can see those HERE), my homes were filled with both. A fireplace and staircase were practically in every room!
While I love this fireplace, I do not love the mid-century mantel. To me, it doesn’t really fit with the more traditional styling of the home and it doesn’t fit with my aesthetic. So, I knew I would want to remove the floating beam mantel and replace it with either an antique salvaged mantel or something we built. After looking at antique mantels pretty extensively, I realized finding one that had just the right dimensions and proportions was unlikely. I let Jeff know that building a mantel would be on my to-do list and I would love to have one installed before this Christmas.
Well, when I spotted this mantel, I just had a feeling about it. I inquired about the price inside and it was $150. They told me it was an original mantel salvaged from an 1810 house. The idea of repurposing a piece that is over 200 years old is very appealing to me and I felt like the style would work well in our living room. It wasn’t too fussy or ornate, but it also wasn’t too rustic. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my house measurements with me so I had to wait for Jeff to get home to text me that information. I just took a bit more time milling around the store, which I didn’t mind.
He sent along the measurements and I drew it out on a scrap piece of paper. It was going to be pretty perfect. The mantel shelf was a little long, which I thought it might be, so we would need to cut that down, but that’s a pretty easy alteration. The proportions of the cutout for the firebox wouldn’t be completely even on the top and sides, but it would be pleasing to the eye. I couldn’t even buy the wood for $150, so this was going to be a better option than building one.
When we got the mantel home, I realized I made one miscalculation – I didn’t account for the key to open the flu. But, I quickly realized that was an easy fix. We just needed to lift the mantel up by about 2″ with some additional chunky trim.
So, I am going to sand it down just to clean it up and remove any chipping paint, we’ll make our modifications, and then I’ll prime and paint it before we install it on the brick. We need to finish some of the exterior painting while the weather is still good for that, but then this is the next project on my list…
22 Responses
Ohhh how lovely and I think it’s going to look perfect in your home!! It deserved someone like you to find it and appreciate it and give it new life.
I too did something similar, I was just out antiquing before we built our home and I saw just the corner of our mantel, so I dived over farm implements and stacks of doors and other things and fell in love. Mine is rather ornate, in the East Lake style, but it fits our center hall colonial farmhouse well and I have never seen another one like it.
Everything is coming together so beautifully in your new home. I had no doubt you’d make it beautiful, but I thank you for sharing your thought processes, your methods, the products and the lovely results, all are informative and truly inspiring.
I just love it. It is perfect and perfectly you! Yay!
Isn’t it funny how we find just what we are looking for when we are not looking for it? Great find.
My husband and I were having a small cottage constructed and I was so excited to have found the perfect antique mantel. It had come out of an old log cabin and had been stored in a shed for years. One day we went to see what was happening at the construction site and we discovered the mantel out on the front porch. It was scheduled to be installed that day. Were we surprised to discover that it was placed outside by the workers because it was full of carpenter ants!! My husband removed all the damaged and infested wood and rebuilt it better than new. Best of all…no ants.
Wow! $150 is a steal! It will look fabulous in your room. I grew up with a fireplace and I miss having one; my current home was built in 1863, but the fireplace was removed a long time ago. You will love it when the weather turns chilly!
The mantle is beautiful! It will be perfect for your fireplace – I love the brick!
Just love your new Mantel cannot wait yo see it finished and installed. Not a fan of slab pieces of wood as Mantels seems like a shortcut way of covering the fireplace and looks like just a shelf.
How wonderful Marian,
I don’t know if anyone else has spotted a few of your most often used words that elicit excitement in me while reading your posts.
Today it was “had to wait for Jeff,” “took more time milling around,” and “I quickly realized it was an easy fix.” I can feel the butterflies of expectation while you waited, measured, and figured out how to bring the mantel into your home.
It will be beautiful. I can hardly wait for Christmas!
The mantle will be gorgeous in your home!
Oh, my goodness, this will be perfect! I can just see it! The mantel shelf looks a bit too long anyway – you and Jeff will make it just right!!
Going to look much better. Look forward to seeing the finished installation.
I foresee some great Christmas mantel styling! Your new-to-you mantel is perfect for your home.
It is going to be perfect and much more fitting for your decor. I, too, once had a mantle that looks like yours….we trimmed it, made it much deeper and made it look like it belonged to “us”! I’ll love your new one and look forward to seeing how you accessorize it.
I wish I could see a pic of your East Lake mantle. That sounds amazing.
It is just perfectly perfect! AND at $150 you got a steal. My only question….is it high enough to cover where the old mantel is? Hopefully there is not a stain hiding behind there. It totally fits your style….can’t wait to it!
It is going to be perfect. Don’t you love unexpected finds!
It is wonderful – but I am more than a bit worried that the paint may be leaded paint. Please be careful when sanding!
Classic!
Can’t wait to see it installed! Such a good piece for that space.
Can’t wait to see the unveiling! It will look beautiful and the perfect addition!
That is so exciting! I love it when God gives little winks that He sees what you want (but don’t *need*) and wants you to have it, too.
I absolutely love your enthusiasm for home decor, especially your appreciation for the timeless charm of a wood-burning fireplace and the pursuit of your dream mantel! Your attention to detail and the history behind the salvaged mantel from an 1810 house adds a unique and rich character to your living space. It’s a testament to your passion for creating a warm and inviting home.
As someone who shares your passion for a clean and healthy living environment, I’d like to suggest considering the Universal Stone 650g for maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of your fireplace and mantel. This eco-friendly cleaning solution is perfect for occasional deep cleaning without the need for harsh chemical cleaners. Its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of surfaces, and it can help keep your home looking its best while being gentle on both your decor and the environment. Here’s to a beautifully decorated, clean, and eco-conscious home!