I have a client with a great imagination. She is always coming up with ideas that are great fun to execute. This is one of the first projects I did for her. She grew up with a very thick mantel at home and she wanted something thick for the top of her gas fireplace box.

The top is made from three inch solid cherry. The corners were existing and are yew wood logs, notched to fit the corners. I decided to use three pieces of wood. Each side piece would be a narrow rectangle with a round end in front to cap the logs on the corners. The center piece was just a little deeper than the top of the fire box. To insure they would stay lined up, I made metal splines that connect the three pieces. The top can be removed by pulling out the center and then unscrewing the side pieces.

I often work with other artists and craftspeople. When things are too big for my shop or require tools I bring in people I know can do the work the way I need it done. David Kotz cut and grooved the cherry for me. I sanded and finished the wood before I installed the top.

The top photo is from just a couple months ago. The finish shot below was right after completion. Six years later it’s a little darker but in perfect condition. She had a wire owl sculpture and I suggested making a perch for it that matched the round ends on the mantel. It’s a great little surprise when you are looking at all her other art (see photo below).