Traditional Mantle

My latest job is another mantle. This one is more traditional than the couple I've written about here before. This is the existing mantle which will be replaced. I'm not really sure what the designer was trying to achieve here. It has elements of from several different styles and a very top-heavy appearance. It also does not match any other design elements in the house, including the built-in cabinets located on either side of it (the mantle even uses a different base molding than the rest of the house.)

Below you see the new proposed design. The height and width will remain the same. The panels will utilize the same molding and recessed flat-panel design the existing cabinet doors which flank the fireplace. The base of the columns will be wrapped in molding that matches the base molding throughout the house.

The tile reveal around the firebox is identical for both designs, but eliminating the arch from the original reduces the bulk of the upper portion (called the 'frieze'). The addition of recessed panel with molding emphasizes the horizontal lines of the frieze making it appear lighter and more in balance with the rest of the design.

This a perfect example of the importance of design. Both mantles are the same height and width, both have the same reveal around the firebox, yet one feels unbalanced and out of place, while the other is balanced and fits with the rest of the house.

I do have to compliment the original design on one point, however. The overall outside dimensions of the original are an almost perfect 'golden-rectangle,' which has a height:width ratio of 1:1.618. This proportion is found very often in nature and is naturally pleasing to most people. That is why I maintained the original dimensions.