Different Types of Unique Fireplace Mantles

Are you looking for unique fireplace mantle ideas for your fireplace? How about an iron fireplace mantel? These neoclassical unique fireplace mantles and style of architecture were popular in Great Britain during the beginning of the eighteenth century. These remained a popular type of fireplace mantel for that entire century.

The federal style of iron fireplace mantels dominated the formal neoclassic styling in the United States during this period as well as after. This evolved form the vast popularity of the Georgian architecture during the eighteenth century.

Attributes of the federal style include tapered columns, delicate moldings, distinctive crown moldings and framed oval capitals along with traditional iron fireplace mantels.

Many of us think of masonry mantels when it comes to the topic of unique fireplace mantle types. Only custom carved stone fireplace mantels incorporate angelic figures and curving lines. The most detailed and unique fireplace mantles involve natural stone of some kind or another.

Skillful artisans create detailed carvings and overlays on the leg / jamb portions of a French period fireplace mantel. Currently, this period fireplace is experiencing a revival as people are scouring thrift and antique shops for French carved stone fireplace mantels.

Other types of unique fireplace mantle involving natural stone include limestone and marble fireplaces. Polished marble simply gleams and draws additional attention to the fireplace. This natural stone makes beautifully unique fireplace mantelpieces.

If you are interested in a unique fireplace mantle made of limestone, but are reluctant about the exorbitant prices that such pieces command, you may be interested in the limestone veneer type fireplaces and fireplace mantels. These fireplaces are made of real limestone, yet instead of skilled craftspeople carving the fireplace out of one large limestone piece, several pre-cut limestone pieces are incorporated as well.

If you are open to using pre-cut or veneer pieces of natural stone, you can conceivably spend no more than you would on a custom brick fireplace. And what is more unique than a natural stone fireplace?

Slate fireplaces make truly one of a kind piece for any focal point. This dark and natural stone is unlike any other fireplace material and will compliment rich and/or dark living room decors. I've only seen one such fireplace, but I must say, it was truly the most unique fireplace mantle and hearth that I had ever laid eyes on.

Wood is the remaining main type of material from which unique fireplace mantles can be crafted. There are three main types of wood fireplace mantels. There are colonial wood fireplace mantels which have very simple lines and little decoration.

There are Adam mantels that incorporate many detailed stylizations such as frets, scrolls, festoons, swags and bows. Many people consider any decorative wood fireplace mantel to fall into this category.

The remaining category of wood mantelpieces include any that do not fall into the first two categories. For example, stylized mantel pieces that are much more modern would be considered to be "modern wood mantelpieces". The same is true of simple mantelpieces that do not appear obviously colonial in terms of syle.