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Original poster

What do you think of my wood burning stove and mantelpiece??

49 replies

refinnejk · 30/07/2015 23:03

We have had a stove fitted and the mantelpiece is higher than I envisaged (it has to be this high as it is wood and combustible) and also it is not as deep as the one we chose so can't put anything on it, eg photo frame. I think it will look better when the wall is painted and we have a mirror above etc but I don't know if I will be happy with it and would appreciate your honest opinions. Should we have mantelpiece at all or just change the wood. I'm hoping the shop will change it if we want as they have made a mistake, although they may not admit it and I have paid in full already. I'm aiming for a contemporary style and will be painting the wall a warm grey.

What do you think of my wood burning stove and mantelpiece??
OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
tigerdog · 30/07/2015 23:24

Here's ours

What do you think of my wood burning stove and mantelpiece??
travertine · 30/07/2015 23:25

Beryl and op I think that was me that started that. Sorry.

DoreenLethal · 30/07/2015 23:29

This is mine

What do you think of my wood burning stove and mantelpiece??
Original poster
refinnejk · 30/07/2015 23:29

Thanks for all your opinions. I have stupidly paid and signed off on it. I hate dealing with things like this when they go wrong (this seems to happen a lot, I should be getting used to it by now). But I'm still hopeful they will put it right, at least to change to the piece of wood we wanted, although I don't think I'd be happy with it anyway as it is so high.

OP posts:
pictish · 30/07/2015 23:30

Yes I'm sorry it does look a bit...surplus to requirements. If you can't even put a photo frame on it, it's just a bit of wood in the wall.

Original poster
refinnejk · 30/07/2015 23:43

Thanks for posting this photo, I think the border looks very effective. Maybe I'll do that instead of mantel...

OP posts:
Original poster
refinnejk · 30/07/2015 23:47

So thank you for all your thoughts. I am definite now that I don't want a mantel that high. If we can have it lower with a functional piece of wood in a darker colour, then that is what I will do. Otherwise, no mantel at all, maybe a painted border. I love the fireplaces where the wooden mantel is along the top of the inglenook with no gap. We could have had a concrete one that looked like wood but they were all a hit more rustic than I was hoping for.

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 30/07/2015 23:53

Nice feet Doreen

SwedishEdith · 30/07/2015 23:54

I like the painted border as well.

DoreenLethal · 31/07/2015 05:32

Warm feet Beryl. After a hard days graft. Cushty.

Whipnaenae · 31/07/2015 05:59

I think all the mantels look weird above the wood burners in the photos. I think they would look much nicer without.

DoreenLethal · 31/07/2015 07:14

They are not so much mantels, but lintels. You know - to hold the actual brickwork up.

Millymollymama · 31/07/2015 10:16

Yes, you need a lintel but you do ot have to expose the lintel!! Mine is behind the plaster and the OP's "shelf" is not a lintel at that height. It is - rustic decoration!!!

For what it is worth, I would get rid of it completely and perhaps put up a mirror or a great painting over the fire opening. I like the idea of the painted surround. We have a painted Edwardian wooden surround for ours with two tiers of shelves. Works well and I picked it up from a reclaim yard. For a modern look, I think you can just have it plain and put up your own shelf if you want one. I think an uncluttered look could look good though.

schloss · 31/07/2015 10:44

Think it is a simple result of the installers not wanting to wait for the plaster to dry before installing mantel! If it is where you wanted it (and where it should be) they would have to wait for plaster to dry then return! Presuming of course it was the same people! Annoying for you as sound as though they have finished to suit themselves not the customer!

Original poster
refinnejk · 31/07/2015 22:54

I have spoken to the supplier today and they have accepted that they provided the wrong shelf/mantel. I am going back tomorrow to look at the alternatives again. I have also googled mantel shelf and seen lots of fires with a raised shelf which I like the look of, so I think I will be able to find something I like. May need corbels to support it but they can look good too imo. Thanks once again mumsnet Smile

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 01/08/2015 09:37

That's good news.

lighteningirl · 01/08/2015 17:38

I think the mantle is too high dh did ours and he initially wanted to put the mantel (reclaimed timber from derelict pier £15) on like yours flat to the wall as apparently it's easier to fix. He and then turned it flat but spent about £40 on fixings so I am thinking has your company just put it on the easy way to save money? Ours still a work in progress so excuse mess

What do you think of my wood burning stove and mantelpiece??
Original poster
refinnejk · 01/08/2015 18:38

Thanks for the photo lighteningirl. I like the shelf. We have been back to shop today and they have been very helpful and apologetic. Saw the wood we actually chose and it was a beam with a square cross section in a darker oak colour. We have chosen a shelf in the darker oak colour but as it is almost 8 inches deep we also need corbels. The assistant said that corbels are a more traditional style but as I was want a functional mantel shelf that is what we have chosen. Perhaps the corbels will make it look more 'balanced' and less odd. I don't know, I will find out soon though!! Now I need to get some wood and learn how to light a fire!!

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Original poster
refinnejk · 01/08/2015 18:39

Lighteningirl I meant to ask what are the dimensions of your shelf and how is it fixed to the wall?

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lighteningirl · 01/08/2015 19:16

Drilled big bolts/rod into wall then holes in shelf fill holes with resin and push onto bolts/rods the rods were about 1/2 inch diameter He used 4. The wood is about 60mm height 150mm deep (to wall) and 55cm long. I would have had it thicker but this wood only comes like that and the red tone when it's polished is gorgeous. The idea is to clean up bricks and plaster around. We are debating on corbels might just leave it or dh might make some out of another length. Glad the company listened to you

Original poster
refinnejk · 01/08/2015 22:07

I really like your mantle and the price is amazing - ours cost £200!!!

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lighteningirl · 02/08/2015 08:45

We bought it in a salvage yard they are brilliant for bargains esp wood, but I am lucky dh is good at diy he fitted the log burner, tiled the hearth and he buys stuff all the time. Currently the garage contains 2 sinks one with full vanity unit and a toilet bought in a bathroom closing sale he thinks 'might' fit in the rental flat! The downside is the fireplace has looked like that since Oct .........

lighteningirl · 02/08/2015 08:49

Tigerdog I really like yours all clean and crisp is that the actual little or is it added on? And Doreen you have gorgeous feet Smile

lighteningirl · 02/08/2015 08:50

Lintel not little stupid kindle

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