Before I glue& panel pin this on

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Does anyone think the center fancy piece looks out of place?

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

This is a better pic.

[Andy Hall]

I think that it would ultimately depend on what is going inside it - i.e. what does the fireplace look like, or is it a dummy of some kind?

The only thing that immediately hit me (and this is just an instant reaction thing) is perhaps that component is a bit too large in terms of scale. Certainly I think that if you had used the same barley twist design as those on the vertical it would be too much.

Faced with this, I think I'd complete and install the surround, put what is going to be on it and live with it for a while. Then add the decoration and see what you think.

Are you going to leave it in a fairly light colour or stain it?

[Guy King]

The message from "The3rd Earl Of Derby" contains these words:

It makes the whole panel look like a drawer just waiting to be pulled out. It's the chunky ends that do it - if they tapered more it'd look less heavy.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Well I made it for myself but now I'm nearing its completion I'm at a loss wether to keep it or sell it to the bloke who's offering to buy.

If he buys,he said he's going to varnish it with *Satin Clear*.

[Graham.]

What would bother me is the fact that both spindles have the same twist direction, which makes the piece un-symmetrical (I bet you wish you hadn't asked now)!

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Well I've looked around for spindles and it seems they only do 3 or 4 traditional designs, none taper at the ends being stair spindles mind. I'll be damned paying a stupid price for the mouldings thats on sale at the sheds I mean the carvings are not at all good and they want something like

14GBP for a moulding thats even too small for the center.

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Far from buying a spindle moulder, you will not get off the shelf same spindles going the opposite to whats on it now.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

[Graham.]

My comment was intended to convey my sense of the ecstatic, and had nothing to do with mere practicalities!

Graham.

[HLAH]

I'm looking at it and thinking "spindles look better vertical" Very nice otherwise. How about a more rounded floral or scroll moulding motif in the center?

H

[meow2222]

I think it suits it well.

NT

[Dave Liquorice]

Erks me as well. Though In had read this comment before looking at the image. They really ought to be opposite hands and I think paired each side, erm difficult to explain but if L is lefthand twist R right hand:

I think

L R R L

would be better than

L L R R

Also assuming the the L one is as in the image ie the diagonal of the "thread" points upwards towards the center of the column.

The top does look a bit "heavy", it might be better if the base didn't start until the same distance up as the square on the ends of the spiral pieces. That might mean you need to do somthing on the face of the top blocks at each end though. Four bits of moulding mitred to make a fake panel would do similar at the base of each column. Is it now starting to get to "fussy" in appearance?

[zikkimalambo]

Well, it's better than the one my dad made, but I think i would go ahead and sell this one and build yourself a better one having used this for practice.

I think the spindles just don't work for the reasons that others have said.

Either try some spindles which aren't handed, or do something different

- get some wood and have a go a "carving" it with planes, chisels, saws etc. Might not get it quite so "perfect" as a manufactured piece, but then it might look better for it.

As to finish, I would want to see it either stained so it looked like it was all made from the same type of wood, or prefferably painted white.

[TheScullster]

Surely this is too much of a "personal preference" situation!

IMHO it wasn't until I read the other postings that I realised what was unbalanced about it - the twist direction of the vertical spindles. Being a draughtsman, anything unsymmetrical or out of line is difficult to cope with.

Personally, I would have used the horizontal half spindle design for the uprights as well as the adornment but I'm sure that would be far too "ordered" for most!

Phil

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

A mixed difference of opinion all round, however I've looked a the pic and tried to visualise the barley twist pieces in symetrical and to be honest it wouldn't look right.

But anyway thanks all for opinions.

[Richard Conway]

You just keep telling yourself that ;)

[John]

If it were my fireplace I would put it to one side and sort that wallpaper (and wall behind it, out whilst I thought about the twists and other spindles! HTH

John

[John]

If it were my fireplace I would put it to one side and sort that wallpaper (and wall behind it), out whilst I thought about the twists and other spindles! HTH

John

[The3rd Earl Of Derby]

Heard you the first time. ;-) silly sorting the wallpaper out seeing its the workshop room. :-)