This very pleasant Driftwood Colored White Oak Mantel began its life as part of a massive reclaimed 8×10 beam — and what a transformation it’s made! What first appeared rough and unassuming revealed extraordinary beauty once carefully worked, proving that great character is sometimes just beneath the surface.

The front face offers an even, warm tone accented by striking angular streaks of natural cracks and fissures — nature’s own artwork, frozen in time. The top surface lightens slightly while showcasing gorgeous streaked color that catches the eye beautifully. The bottom carries a bit more rustic texture, though once mounted, it’s virtually out of sight.

No worries about integrity — this mantel has been kiln-treated to take care of any potential critters. At nearly 10 inches deep and 6 inches tall, it offers wonderful presence and depth, making a truly bold statement above any fireplace. Reclaimed. Refined.

• This driftwood colored white oak mantel is shown as sanded, but no finish has been applied
• We have applied ammonia to darken the cut and re-worked surfaces.
• We can preserve the current color or darken with an oil finish.
• Great depth at almost 10in.
• It is currently 6.0in x 9.5in deep x 71.5in long
• Sizing (cutting and sanding the ends) as well as finishing are included in the price
• It ships via UPS Ground for $150

This barn beam was sourced from a barn near New Prague, Minnesota, a town known for celebrating its immigrant heritage, like many other towns in the area such as New Germany, Hamburg, Cologne, and Green Isle. We have taken a complete set of pictures of the barn before the barn was dismantled. With no pockets, this particular beam was likely to be a sill timber. The original piece was over 12 feet long and that was probably already cut once.  However, the old beam has undergone a remarkable transformation through hours of sanding, brushing, and cleaning to turn it into a great mantel. It is now ready to serve another few decades in your home.

About the tag –”Having Our Ups and Downs, but We’re Really Going Places” is a classic example of what collectors call a “linen” postcard from about the 1930s or 1940s — named for its distinctively rough surface texture. These cards are known for their bold, often garish colors, which only add to their quirky charm. The Curt Teich Company was one of the primary producers of this style, with records suggesting they created an astonishing 360,000 to 500,000 unique designs. The playful cartoon artwork bears a striking resemblance to the style of Mort Walker, the cartoonist behind the beloved Beetle Bailey comic strip — though no documented evidence confirms he ever contributed to postcard illustration.