A Fireplace Makeover, Starring the Artisan Kraft Chantel Cast Stone Mantel

Disclaimer: The Chantel cast stone mantel was gifted from Artisan Kraft in exchange for marketing content and an honest review. I had the opportunity to select from any of the Artisan Kraft cast stone mantels for this collaboration, and I genuinely felt the Chantel was the perfect fit for our remodel. All opinions expressed below are sincere.

The Chantel cast stone mantel from Artisan Kraft has completely transformed the look and feel of our family room. Before, the fireplace was framed by a craftsman-style dark-stained wood mantel paired with an attached built-in cabinet to the right. While it served its purpose, the old setup felt heavy and visually uneven, making the room feel smaller and less cohesive.

Above: Before, our fireplace felt dark and uneven. While the Craftsman style mantel and cabinet were lovely, I felt that the height of the mantel made the 9’ ceiling appear lower.

Now, the Chantel cast stone mantel serves as a timeless centerpiece, adding a sense of elegance and balance to the space. Its French provincial form and classic design bring a fresh, airy feel to the room, creating a focal point that instantly catches your attention. The gentle curves in the design add a soft, elegant touch that contrasts beautifully with the mantel's clean lines. The warm, neutral tones of the cast stone (I chose the “beige” finish) complement the surrounding decor, seamlessly blending with the other design elements in the room.

When placing your order for your new Artisan Kraft mantel, you work closely with the team to make sure the filler panels (the pieces that are installed between the mantel and the fire box opening) are as close of a fit as possible. We did request that a skilled Artisan Kraft installer to come out to our home and cut the curved parts on the upper-inside panel, but everything else was easy for my husband to tackle. We also had the option to customize the hearth stone, choosing between a flush-to-the-floor design or one that steps up with a decorative edge for added character.

Below: While the Chantel mantel makes a statement on her own, she shines in Christmas décor! :)

One of the biggest impacts of the new mantel is how it has elevated the overall atmosphere. The sleek silhouette and symmetrical design create a sense of calm and order, which perfectly suits the relaxed yet refined vibe we wanted for our family room. We actually replaced the old Craftsman-style built-in with two symmetrical, modern built-ins flanking the fireplace. We closed in the wall to the left to create more symmetry, installed creamy-taupe flush inset cabinets with stained oak floating shelves and backs, and added polished brass hardware. There’s no way you’d know this unless I told you, but we store bins upon bins of children’s toys inside these cabinets: coloring books, Hotwheels, Barbie dolls, board games, magnetic tiles, puzzles, and more! I feel like the Chantel mantel could have been a work-from-home mom in another life ;) The added storage and neutral, warm colors of these built-ins juxtaposed by the striking beauty and soft curves of the Chantel bring functionality, style, and balance to the room.

We do still have plans to add decorative, Neoclassical-style moulding on this wall to further frame-out the fireplace and built-ins. With Christmas approaching as we wrapped up the major elements of our 2024 whole-home remodel, though, we opted to save that detail for a future date.

Whether it’s hosting family movie nights or enjoying quiet moments by the fire, the Chantel mantel has truly become the heart of our family room. It’s a beautiful blend of style and functionality, proving that a single design upgrade can make a world of difference.