This project involved the building of a fireplace mantel for our home. I used cherry lumber and plywood for the wood components and custom cut carerra marble for the firebox surround. After making full-scale plans of the entire piece, I provided my stone mason a template to cut the marble, then used that same template to form the laminated arch before milling the rest of the cherry framing to final thickness. The split turnings on each side were perhaps the most challenging aspect of the project, as I’m a novice turner. The finish was done using Target Coating’s waterborne shellac, followed by hand-applied oil-based wiping stain to enhance the cherry’s natural colour and top-coated for protection, with 2 coats of Target Coating’s waterborne lacquer. I sprayed on the waterborne coatings.

Launch Gallery