Case Study: A Three Tiered Fireplace Mantle
A before and after consideration

A client came to me with a problem. They recently acquired a new riverfront home and were in the process of decorating it. They couldn't decide what to do with the fireplace that sits in the family room. It had three tiers for knick knacks or picture frames, but they wanted something more engrossing - not just shelf space.

A florida-esque water scene was determined upon and work commenced. Each tile carefully handcrafted and fired. The complexity of this work made it quite difficult and some tiles required several firings before a seamless fitting section made its way upon the mantle.

The original brown tiles were removed in favor of coral colored tiles that stair-step their way up into the top-most fresco portion. The client wanted the fireplace to blend into the wall and not be an obvious protrusion. Thus the top was extended higher and with a slight decline so the work smoothly transitions into the bare flat wall behind it.

Over 100 pieces of coral, fish, grass, turtles, anemones and other aquatic items were affixed to the 1/2" thick ceramic tiles that adorn this fireplace. Each tile and piece, in turn, was glazed to retain its color and vibrancy through the years. The completed work measures  8' x 8'.