I’ve showed off my new Fall mantel makeover already, but I wanted to share more about how that came to be, so today’s post is all about where I got the mantel, the type wood it is, and how I stained it and got it ready to install. I’ll share a whole separate post about the installation process. That was quite interesting! My dad and I know our limitations and some projects are best left to the pros and installing my mantel was one of those jobs.
First things first.
My mantel is made from Douglas fir and came from a textile mill in Chicago, circa 1890’s. Garlan from Southern Accents told me that some have paint on them and some don’t. They denailed the planks, cut them to specified length and make these mantels custom for individuals. It runs $35 a linear foot and milling is extra. I love having a bit of history hanging above my fireplace! Southern Accents is in Cullman, AL and is a true treasure trove for old and vintage reclaimed wood and building supplies. I first went there in 2010 and wrote a post about it, link above. If you are in the area, GO!
This gorgeous hunk of wood came to me like this. It weighs quite a bit but I managed to angle it up on the sawhorses to sand and stain it.
I began by sanding it all over with a belt sander (that I borrowed from my brother-in-law). I just gave it a good going over with medium grit sandpaper to knock off the roughness.
Then I used Mixwas Pre-Stain conditioner to open up the wood for staining. I’ve heard this is a good idea when staining to insure that the stain penetrates more evenly. I used Dark Walnut stain and already had this in my stash.
Wipe on the Pre-Stain and let it dry, then you need to start staining within about 2 hours after that.
I used an old t-shirt rag to stain and just dipped and rubbed in the stain on the front, back and sides to cover it completely.
And it looked like this. It looks much more blotchy in this pic than it does in real life. I then gave it another sanding with the belt sander to smooth it out a bit more. I touched up with Dark Walnut in just a few areas, but it didn’t need much.
The wood has lots of variations in color and it will take the stain a bit different. It looks really red here, but in reality it’s a dark brown color. The very last step I did was add a coat of Satin Poly by Minwax just to give it a little protection. Not that it really needs it hanging above my fireplace, but it can’t hurt. Oh, and I did stain the ends, it just doesn’t look like it in this pic. Hard to take decent pics in the garage.
And here’s the mantel right after installation. I couldn’t wait to play around with it. So I’ve been doing just that. Judging from a few comments, some of you weren’t big fans of my Fall mantel last week using all those blues and greens and yes, it didn’t look completely like Fall, but I had a little fun. More busy than usual, it had lots going on so I left it for a few days, but because I needed to do another post for Lowes, I decided to change it up again and create another Fall mantel, again using what I have around the house.
How about a Fall mantel, round 2? That’s allowed, right? You’ll see this mantel changing up many times going forward and it’s fun to use what I have to pull it together.
Classic and pretty, this time I used my white pottery pieces and they look really nice against the rock. It’s a lot less busy too and this one is more my style for sure.
The white pottery stands out against all that rock and this pretty landscape painting that I found at Woodstock Market will definitely be a fave of mine. I knew when I spotted it that I would love it and I do.
A sweet natural bird is at home with the moss ribbon.
Bringing in a pretty lichen covered branch adds a nice Fall touch, along with pinecones.
A little dish of small pinecones says Fall.
My urn with sticks and feathers is a great way to add texture for the season and the pierced dish holds a few dried hydrangeas. I love the preserved boxwood wreath that came from Lowes.
So, as much as I like a little glitz and glimmer on things brought in from nature, I like to use some of them in their natural state as well. There’s room for both in decorating for the Holidays.
Dried hydrangeas are always beautiful to use with their soft colored petals.
Sticks, feathers, pinecones, dried hydrangeas and grapevine balls, great combo for Fall.
I will admit, I like this one better too and I’m especially grateful to finally have a mantel to decorate! It will be fun to change it for the seasons and I really think putting up a planked white wall above the mantel will be even more versatile for me.
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Disclosure: As a Lowes Creative blogger, I am sent gift cards to spend on projects and to blog about them. This post is sponsored by Lowes, but all ideas and projects are my own.
No way am I the first to comment! Ha ha! Looks wonderful! I am contemplating painting my ugly brick fireplace or doing it in stone like yours! Either way I want to do my mantel like this too! Love it!
Love your mantel! I also love the ways you have decorated it both times.
It looks great, Rhoda. I know you are loving it now that you have the mantel, and I think the wood planking will be the perfect enhancement.
Love them both. Mine looks light your second version, but honestly, I like the blues and greens of the first one better. But nice to have enough stuff to change it around as you like.
Very, very pretty, I like this one much better than the first mantle display, your going to have lots of fun decorating this mantle, it’s a beauty.
Rhoda, I love the changes to your mantle! Your landscape painting is lovely! I, too, love the way the white china stands out against the natural elements on your mantel.
BEAUTIFUL!!
This one is beautiful, but I liked the first one best! It’s because my home is blue, rose, and green and it is usually very hard to decorate for fall, but seeing your mantle, the first time, I realized, it could be lovely done with blue. Thanks!
did not see the last one so can’t compare but i really like this. love love the painting and sweet little birdie didn’t hurt either.
Love the history that comes with an old timber like that – looks awesome!
The story of that one element of your home is the kind of thing that will stick with people when they visit. I still remember years ago visiting the home of one of my teachers. According to her the stone from her fireplace was from what was removed when they sculpted the relief on Stone Mountain. Could be one of those “Washington Slept Here” stories but I’ve never forgotten it anyway.
Hello Rhoda!
I love the way you have styled your mantle and thanks for sharing the story of its “creation”. Mantles really are the most fun to play around with, aren’t they?!
Best,
Mimi @ A House Romance
How wonderful that your mantel has such great history…you have decorated it so beautifully for Fall….I love how the white pops against the stone….beautiful fireplace Rhoda!
I love the mantel and its ‘story’ also really like this mantel decoration.
I am on the hunt for a mantel for my fireplace!
Rhoda, I noticed in the posts that you had not stained the end of the mantel. Did you end up doing that at some point or did you leave the ends without stain? Just curious as I wasn’t sure what is typical. Love the mantel and the decorations!
Melinda, I did stain the ends, it just doesn’t show in the pics.
I like this mantel b/c it’s less busy and natural, but I personally like the other one just as well. I actually thought it was being really clever to use the greens & blues (which are my favorite colors, too) combined w/ the leaves that were in orange, reds, etc. The only thing I thought that looked a little out of place was the little word sign, but it has special meaning to you, and that’s what it’s all about…I don’t see anything wrong w/ that. That painting is to die for! And, that bead board combined w/ that peacock wreath is just delicious! I have rock fireplace envy, too. Man, that house might have been in bad shape, but that fireplace is an all-star!
I like most everything you do.
Regarding the first mantel you said got some
second guessing – I loved the fall branch of leaves
in the demi-john! Contrasting colors.
Mantels of any season should reflect the personality of the owner. Just like Christmas trees.
Difference has its beauty – part of what makes the world go round.
I agree with Patti. In fact, I like the first one better! You can’t go wrong with blues and greens, plus I tend to be a more “busy” decorator 🙂
I think your mantel looks great! It’s more my taste this version, but I think if you loved the blues and greens, that you should have it the way you want it. It’s your home after all! May I ask where you found your boxwood wreath? I’m on the hunt for one at a reasonable price.
Hi, Gina, that boxwood wreath was from Lowes.
I loved your first mantel! I’ve seen it pinned again and again ALREADY on pinterest. It was beautiful and I loved that you stepped out of the box of the normal fall colors. You’re a trend setter Rhoda! Stick with your instincts. This one is prety as well but I loved number one. Nothing like we see around blog land. It was original.
I LOVE that you didn’t use “traditional” autumn colors. Since I’m not a fan of orange, this mantel is exactly what I’d choose to do. Beautiful!
*pretty 🙂