Recently I had some mantles created for my two fireplaces at my mountain home at Wintergreen. The man who made them, Brian Fencer, lives in Fairfield Virginia in a historic home built in 1780. I met Brian at the Crozet Craft Fair last fall.  He was displaying stunning furniture he had made from recycled wood.  Now a good bit of that kind of furniture is rustic, but his resembles fine antiques. I asked him if he did fireplace mantles from recycled wood and he said yes.

A few weeks later I traveled to his home and workshop in Fairfield.  He had picked out logs for me, but I wanted to see his entire inventory.  We went in his truck out into a field where he had piles of the old logs.  (We dodged cowpatties and walked around the cows as well.)  He had the best inventory I’ve seen in the years I have been searching for just the right old wood for mantles.  

I picked out a chestnut for one of the fireplaces and a distressed oak for the other.  We spent time talking about stains, the perfect spot for cutting the wood, etc. The mantles are now installed and are wonderful.   

In addition, I had a damaged antique cherry dining room table I wanted to have refinished.  He did a beautiful job.  I’ve lived with antiques all of my life, and know wood.  He does the best work I’ve seen in this area. 

Sue Carlson