Building with the live-edge allows Dan to incorporate the organic markings found just underneath the bark of a tree. For this custom fireplace mantle, he used a slab of air dried sugar maple harvested from a 360-year old tree felled after a storm in 2003. The mantle wraps around the chimney, so frame-and-panel shelves were constructed and joined to the front board of the mantle. Grooves were also cut into the top of the board, to allow for the display of the client's large plate collection. The piece is hand finished with a blend of oils, followed by a protective topcoat to protect the wood from any water damage.

Pictured are the drawings Dan did during the design process, as well as the air dried slab used for the construction of the piece. Joining a live-edges is not done commercially, but Dan enjoys the challenge. He often travels to the Kansas City area for the annual Plaza Art Fair. This allowed Dan to deliver and instal the mantel in person. The client wrote us the following: "Wow. What a beautiful result from our September 2012 conversation!!! Words just can't possibly say what is in my heart. Thank you for your tender loving care in making such a beautiful mantle. We will treasure it always." – Pat and Chuck

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