Archive for month: July, 2011

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A Mantel for Maine

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As we continue our tour around North America associating Mantel Designs with different natural and architectural elements of a place, today we land in Maine.  My Google image tour of Maine helps me define Maine with a rugged coast line, prehistoric rock formations, cottage architectural style with a touch of colonial flavor.  Difficult to nail down for someone who has not been to Maine to say the least.  Being that the area is a coastal town and a northern latitude, fireplaces must be used frequently and the true value that an appealing Mantel would see it’s full potential.

 

Our pick for a Mantel that reflects the prehistoric and rugged stone look, functionality of a fireplace, and mantel that would be used frequently, and adds a touch of the colonial ornate.  The Callaway Mantel is a very popular style and is used quite frequently in especially cottage type applications.  Distinctive Mantels designed the Callaway and has been installed in homes for the past 15 years.

Increase My Home Value

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Increase your Home Value with a new Fireplace Mantel

Whether you want to sell your home or live in it for years to come, adding a small element of architectural elegance can totally transform your home.  Separate your home from the others in the neighborhood by changing that dated fireplace wall and adding a stone mantel.  For less than $2500 you can bring positive attention to your home when home buyers are shopping.   It is easy and not expensive.    And if you plan to stay, it will bring much joy to realize that you created your own style that your family now enjoys.

But Don’t just take it from us… Read more

A Mantel for San Francisco

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Fireplace Mantels by Location

At Distinctive Mantels, we strive to develop Mantel Designs that reflect attitudes, natural surroundings, and historical design.  In this light we are beginning a series on Mantel Designs relating our custom designs to popular cities known for their culture and unique design perspective.  We are starting with San Francisco, CA and will provide some background and then our best suited Mantel recommendations.  We would be please for you to vote on which Mantel reflects the culture and traditions of each city.

San Francisco Defined

San Francisco was  originally founded as a Catholic Mission after St. Francis of Assisi in the 1700’s and then established itself as a dominant Coastal City during the Gold Rush of 1849.  Today it is a leading banking and commerce community with much diversity in culture and philosophy. San Francisco is also the second most densely populated in North America providing plenty of opportunity for this diversity to interact.   The most distinct natural features of San Francisco would be the rolling hills that drop into the sea and the potential for violent earth quakes.  Our picks generally rely primarily on natural and cultural visuals as our mantels are very visual.

Our Mantel Pick

The Monterrey is our pick for the Mantel the most closely represents the history, nature, and feel for the City by the Bay.  We felt the the rolling hills and curved posts was a must.  The straight clean lines of the Mantle to reflect the towering Golden Gate Bridge.  The limestone look and color to contrast the green as the “Paris of the West”.  Rooted in simplicity as the Catholic Mission.

Let us know if you agree!