THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION
Custom Wood Mantels & Floating Shelves
Forged in our Staunton, Virginia mill shop, these contemporary wood mantels and floating shelves bridge authentic forest heritage with clean architectural lines. Engineered specifically for lightweight installation, our innovative hollow design provides the substantial visual heft of solid timber without the structural strain. Milled to geometric perfection and finished with 0% VOC plant-based oils, this collection serves as a commanding fireplace centerpiece or a seamless floating statement shelf.
Explore our four premium wood species below ↓
THE SIGNATURE WOODS
SIGNATURE WALNUT
Mid-Century Warmth & Flowing Grain
Native Appalachian Black Walnut possesses a deep, rich chocolate tone that cannot be replicated by surface stains or imports. Engineered with our lightweight hollow box-beam construction, this piece provides the luxurious, heavy presence of a solid walnut floating shelf without the structural strain. It serves as a seamless, high-end wall accent for modern interiors.
SIGNATURE WHITE OAK
Clean Lines for the Modern Hearth
Responsibly sourced from the Appalachian highlands, our premium White Oak offers a crisp, neutral palette ideal for modern and minimalist architecture. This custom white oak mantel features precision-milled geometric edges and a heavy-duty hidden cleat system, delivering an authentic, zero-VOC architectural centerpiece that mounts effortlessly over your fireplace.
SIGNATURE CHERRY
Timeless Elegance That Deepens With Age
Prized for its smooth, tight grain and rich color that naturally darkens as it absorbs light, native Appalachian Cherry brings a refined luxury to any room. Crafted with our lightweight hollow design, this piece functions flawlessly as a timeless cherry wood floating shelf or a classic fireplace mantel. It is the definitive choice for those seeking a warm, sophisticated aesthetic that evolves beautifully over the years.
RECLAIMED CHESTNUT
A Rare Piece of American History
Authentic reclaimed chestnut wood is an incredibly rare architectural material, salvaged from century-old structures built before the species was largely lost to blight. We preserve the distinct “wormy” character and rich patina of this antique timber, engineering it into an easy-to-install, lightweight format. Whether mounted as an antique chestnut mantel or a striking wall accent, it brings irreplaceable heritage and immense visual character to your space.
BESPOKE ARCHITECTURAL SOURCING
Require a Bespoke Commission?
Whether you are outfitting a multi-unit development or require a specific size outside our standard dimensions, our team is here to support your build. We offer exclusive trade pricing, custom finish matching, and dedicated project management for builders, architects, and interior designers.
The Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your floating shelves made from solid wood or thin veneers?
We never use cheap veneers. Our custom wood mantels and floating shelves are crafted entirely from authentic, solid Appalachian hardwood lumber. To keep them lightweight and easy to install, we precision-mill solid lumber into a hollow box-beam design. The wood grain wraps seamlessly around the edges, giving you the exact look and texture of a solid, heavy timber beam without the structural strain on your walls.
How do you securely mount a wood mantel or floating shelf?
Every mantel and shelf we craft includes a heavy-duty, hidden wooden mounting cleat. This cleat is first secured directly into your wall studs or masonry. The hollow box-beam shelf then slides seamlessly over the cleat and is locked into place with countersunk screws from the top. This engineered system ensures a flush, incredibly strong mount that hides all hardware.
Can I install a wood mantel on brick, stone, or drywall?
Yes. Our wood fireplace mantels can be mounted to almost any surface, including drywall, brick, and natural stone. If mounting to drywall, the included cleat must be anchored directly into the wooden studs for structural integrity. For brick or stone fireplaces, your installer will simply need to use appropriate masonry anchors (not included) to secure the cleat.
Are wood mantels safe to install above a fireplace?
Yes, but safety relies on proper spacing. Because our mantels are made of real, combustible wood, you must follow the specific clearance guidelines provided by the manufacturer of your fireplace insert or stove. Additionally, you should always consult your local building and fire codes regarding the required distance between the top of the firebox and the bottom of a wood mantel.
What kind of finish do you use on your custom mantels?
We finish our Signature Collection mantels and shelves with Rubio Monocoat. This is a premium, plant-based hardwax oil that bonds with the wood fibers at a molecular level. It provides exceptional durability and a timeless matte aesthetic, while being 100% free of Volatile Organic Compounds (0% VOC) to ensure a healthy home environment.
What is the lead time for a custom wood floating shelf or mantel?
Because every piece in our Signature Collection is made-to-order in our Staunton, Virginia mill shop, our standard lead time is 3 to 4 weeks. This allows our craftsmen the necessary time to select the perfect rough-sawn boards, precision-mill your exact dimensions, assemble the box-beam, and allow the 0% VOC Rubio Monocoat finish to properly cure before carefully packaging it for transit.
Do you offer free shipping on your custom mantels?
Yes, shipping is completely free and built into the price for all of our standard-sized mantels and floating shelves shipping within the contiguous United States. However, because we frequently mill oversized, large-scale architectural timbers, mantels exceeding our standard dimensions require a custom freight quote to ensure they are safely and properly transported to your home or job site.
THE CURATOR'S DESK
An Enduring Respect for Appalachian Timber
Growing up in a family that selectively harvested native Appalachian timber, I wanted to craft a centerpiece that highlighted the pristine, natural elegance of the Oak, Cherry, and Walnut I knew so well. But we couldn’t ignore our deep roots in historic salvage, which is why we included rare, century-old Reclaimed Chestnut to anchor the collection. The true breakthrough that unites these very different woods is our engineering. By utilizing precision locking miter joints along the long edges and biscuit-reinforced miters on the end caps, we built a seamless hollow beam that is incredibly strong and naturally flexes with the wood’s seasonal expansion and contraction. Whether you choose a cleanly milled native hardwood or an irreplaceable antique, we have truly produced an heirloom-quality focal point that embodies exactly what ‘Modern Heritage’ means to us.
The mantel is stunning. A number of contractors have stopped by just to look at it on our stone fireplace.. Even an architect stopped by to see it – thanks so much!
M. Meshkin
Glenwood, Maryland
Raymond provided great customer service and had an excellent knowledge of my application.
Brian Maryan
Martinsville, Indiana
I could have purchased a board anywhere, but it’s so exciting to know that I have a mantel with a 100+ years history. I tell everyone about you.