A client commissioned me to create a new mantle for their living room from one of the antique reclaimed red oak barn beams I had in stock at my shop. I cut it to length using a handsaw to create a historically accurate look for the end of the beam. Then I got to work hollowing out the back of the beam to reduce the overall weight of the mantle so it would work with the existing mounting hardware the client had in place.

After lightly sanding the beam and finishing it with a satin polyurethane, I test fit the beam in place. It has original mortise and tenon joinery still intact, as well as cut marks on the face from when it was hand-hewn 100 to 200 years ago.

A picture the client sent to me of the finished mantle decorated for Christmas.