Customer Reviews

Fireplace & Mantel Ideas: Design, Build and Install Your Dream Fireplace Mantel

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently bought a house in need of renovations. Since hiring contractors are both expensive and often unreliable, I decided to tackle much of the work myself. This included designing and building my fireplace mantel. A previous owner had removed the mantel so there was no indication of what style it was built in. I searced for books on fireplace mantels and found this one. It has a complete detailed chapter on how to build a classic fireplace mantel, step-by-step, with detailed photos using materials I was able to easily purchase at Home Depot. The results were phenominal! I have since had family and friends ask if I would build them a mantel. I almost hate to reveal how easy it was when they are willing to pay a nice sum of money for something that took me the weekend and little cash. I highly recommend this book!

When I see a caption for an illustration that reads something like "Experience personal customer design consultations in the tradition of the old mantel masters, Wohners' one-on-one sessions ensure the highest quality of your mantel design and selection," I can't help but wonder at the purpose of the book as a whole. I did find the section on the Rumford Fireplace interesting, and the mantels shown intriguing, but as for actual designs that I could build I found the book lacking. In fact many of the designs in the "Mantels Portfolio" reminded me a great deal of the "mantel" which was on the fireplace of my first residence --- a mobile home.

I did give it 3 stars for the ideas, but practical information given is minimal.

I was careful to check the publication date -- 2004 -- and noted that this is a second edition. Surprisingly, this book is full of outdated photos that are nearly two decades old, it seems. The designs might as well be two decades old too, and show very little range or variety even then.

To add insult to injury, every five pages or so is a plug for a particular contractor or company's products.

As for instructions? Give me a break. If you are in need of instructions don't count on this book, unless you have brand new construction... and need to know how to build a mantle box. NOTE: This is a book about fireplace mantles and surrounds ONLY. It is not really about fireplaces per se -- or how to properly install or use them -- like what gas lines to run.

Don't waste your time or money. I bought it used, so I consider myself out five bucks. Oh well.