Fantastic, simple, dark, solid white oak mantel. Natural cracks run through the mantel’s face, proving its authenticity. These cracks matter more than you might think. They show that the beam is solid and made of real wood. The cracks and mocha brown hue also give the mantel a warm, inviting look. Many modern beams lack these features. They often appear too clean and artificial. In contrast, this mantel’s cracks add character. They make the piece interesting and pleasant to gaze upon. Each crack tells a part of the wood’s story, making this mantel truly unique.

We treated this mantel with ammonia — an old school technique used by Gustav Stickley in the early 1900s. The ammonia reacts with the white oak’s tannins to change the wood’s color. This process creates an even tone throughout the wood. It doesn’t leave pigments trapped in the grain or otherwise looking fake. Old barns went through a similar process naturally. Our method does in days what nature does over decades.

This beam is newer than it looks. It was cut about 25 years ago. This batch of white oak was stored in a heated shouse – that’s a combination shed and house. The wood has dried thoroughly over the years. You won’t see any new twists or cracks in this beam. It’s stable and ready to use.

This beam is solid throughout, not hollow, and its quality is evident. Finding comparable alternatives to such solid material is challenging. The difficulty lies in the drying process for large timber. We often compare drying wood to cooking meat: a thin steak cooks quickly, remaining slightly rare in the center, while a thick roast requires hours. Similarly, kiln-drying thick wood is a real science and art. If not done correctly, the core remains wet, potentially leading to warping, cracking, or twisting. We’ve ensured this beam is thoroughly and properly dried to prevent such issues, maintaining its structural integrity and stability. This one is indeed well and properly dried. What-you-see-is-what-you-get for years to come.

This exact individual dark solid white oak mantel is currently 7.375in tall x 7.375in deep x 59in long. It can be cut down to size and re-finished for no additional cost. We also have some similar 7.5in x 7.5in pieces that can be finished up as well.

It can be shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states via FedEx Gnd for $150

About the tag – Stomach Upset is an ad for Pepto-Bismol from the 1953 edition of Farm Journal. Living in the country, Farm Journal was just a part of the monthly mail. Established in 1877, it is still produced today. I’m not sure that kids today understand the excitement of a new magazine in mail. It was a treat.