Hey, Retrolounge, grab yer M-CM thinking cap.

[Gold Metal Flake]

Need a new mantle for the fireplace. I'm thinking of using some blond birch to make a 2" wide frame all around. It would extend about 8-10 inches. Sort of reaching back into the 40's, if you know what I mean. However, that might be too small nest to the large cabinets, so I thought about floating another one, horizontal only, above it. It would be about 8 inches above, and extend out an additional 2". Sort of a double mantle. Then some sort of art thang above that. I can't lose this vision. Maybe you have some way different idea that will work.

[Gold Metal Flake]

1. AM kick

:kick:

[RetroLounge]

2. I think that would work fine

Be sure the 2" one is wide enough. You may want to go 3" and be able to display small chotkes(sp) on it.

and if you do, be sure 8" is the right height.

Another idea would be to do something asymetrical with the floating one, may in 2 pieces, one higher than the other.

My suggestion would be to build the mantle free standing, or in pieces, then take it all into a place that does would refinishing and ask them to match the finish on youe Heywood Tables.

We did this with a few pieces, and they matched the aged color of 50 year old wheat perfectly.

Oooh, I LOVE the Heywood end tables with the drawers. I bought a pair of the non-drawer ones for $10 at a garage sale :D

As far ass the art-thing on the wall, look for a 50's metal wall hanging, perhaps something from Frederick Weinberg like these:





RL

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. Some illustrations of what I am thinking of.

This is from House & Garden's New Complete Guide To Interior Decorating, 1953 (yeah, I can't pass these old books by).



The mantle in the pix appears to be 1-1.5" thick and about 6" deep. I was thinking of a mantle about 2-3" thich and 8" deep and maybe another horizontal mantle above that about 10" deep. Like this:



The reason for the second, floating piece is so that the overall look is a bit more sustantial between the towering Ikea cabinets.

Weinberg wire art is a great idea! I'll pursue that.