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Wood Fireplace Mantel
Wood fireplace mantels were originally designed to prevent a fireplace’s smoke from escaping into the room. However, as the fireplace became the social center of pre-television homes, fireplace mantels became more decorative and ornamental.Interior designers have decorated mantels in many ways. Carving has always been a prime choice for customizing mantels, and molding the edges of a mantel is one way to provide an elegant look to a fireplace. Sculpture is also appropriate for a mantel, and several palaces have statues and reliefs carved into their fireplaces. Some mantels serve as an elaborate frame for a portrait. In the present day, entertainment centers have usurped fireplaces as the centerpiece of a room. However, the increased popularity of gas and electric fireplaces have made mantels very practical. The purpose of a fireplace in modern times is to define the architecture of a room by acting as its focal point. As such, they are almost purely a work of art. High-end versions may be made out of oak, walnut or cherry, while low-end versions may be made out of chip board, covered with a thin finish. Related Information Mantel Clocks |