fireplace mantel ideas

[dtam]

Hi,
I'm trying to design and build a fireplace mantel using some leftover crown moulding and add a surround like the mantel kits at Lowes. The problem is there is a window casing and stool only 3 inches away, so I'm not sure how to design it. The ones at Lowes that are either 5 or 6ft long would not work because I would not be able to center it.

I've been wanting to build this for almost a year now since the house was remodeled, but haven't figured out a design yet. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks
dtam

[LCHIEN]

looks obvious to me you're going to have to build a custom one with no more than 3" overhang on the sides.

Maybe start out if your fireplace is N" wide, build a box 4" high, 8 inches deep and N+4" wide.
Fasten this box on top of the tile facade, and then add decorative crown molding to the edges of the box. If the crown is wide (thick) then you may need to do some fancy fitting to get it to flush against the window casing.

[cabinetman]

It looks like you have plenty of room. The overall width of the mantle can be the width of the top of the crown from left to right. How far the crown is angled from the wall is the spring angle.

Home Depot has a short crown that has a spring angle that sets the furthest edge out 1.625" (1 5/8"). From your picture, you have 2 1/2" to the window casing. A simple mantle doesn't have to be trim to a box. You can install a flat piece to the wall, that has a 90 degree piece to the bottom. The crown attaches to the front edge of the bottom piece, and the top of the mantel attaches to the top of the crown.

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[Knottscott]

You could always carve the mantel top around the molding a bit so you're overhang isn't strictly limited to the 3" of clearance between the molding.

I'd also consider expanding the hearth a little bit to create some balance.

One idea:

[cabinetman]

Have you made any decision yet?

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[Shep]

Since you don't have a lot of clearance, I would scrap the idea of the surround kit and go with a mantel shelf insted. It would look more balanced IMHO.