Fireplace Mantel Restoration

Fireplace mantels can be a great addition to any room, adding character, class, and uniqueness to any living space.  The mantel described in this blog is in a house that was a total restoration project.  The floor plan had to be reworked to provide a private hall way to the bathroom which previously was only accessible through a bedroom, and the mantel was attached to a wall which had to be taken down.  In this post I'm going to describe the process taken to preserve character of a Queen Anne style house in Ludlow, Ky, by refinishing its existing fireplace mantel in the same style as the rest of the house.

The color and finish won't work with the other elements of your project and leaving out an original historical fireplace mantel from the finished project, just isn't an option.

This piece has been painted at least two times, as well as 'decorated' with pink marker and Christmas themed stickers since is fabrication in the late 1800s to early 1900s.  Above where the opening is, there is a crest, part of which has been damaged.  In short this piece presented some significant challenges.

The finished product was instead attached to a living room wall across from the main entrance.  The paint was carefully stripped using a heat gun and underlying wood was sanded and stained to match the floor and moldings.  A light coat of polyurethane was added for the gloss and protection of the wood.  The insert was refinished with a high gloss black paint and since this is a false fireplace, was surrounded with a painted piece of manufactured wood.  This piece took a large time investment but the final product was the aesthetic climax of the interior and gave this living space its priceless uniqueness.

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