Current Work
Botanical Fireplace
A hand-made fireplace surround for an Omaha home remodel.
Research & Drawings
We began with a conversation about the design intent, reviewed inspiration photos, and field measured the space. As we refined the design, we also produced build drawings to ensure an exact fit.
Oil-Clay Sketches
After finalizing sizing and concepts, we created oil-clay sketches of all elements to ensure proportion and scale. This is a traditional motif we tweaked with the addition of strawberries.
Hearth in Progress
The hearth face was built to spec, sealed, and then adorned with the design.
Sculpting the Surround
We assembled the surround framework so we could sculpt the branches as one unit. The branch structure was foam and resin -we then applied oil-clay to create the details. The surround was designed to be cast in three pieces.
Flower Details
The flowers were first sculpted in oil-clay. We then created a mold and cast them in plaster. This allowed us to bolt them to the structure and add the leaf details.
Mold Making
Once the structures are build and the clay work is complete, we produce molds to create the final product. Rubber molds reproduce great detail and allow undercuts to create dynamic depth. We used a white portland cement mix to cast the final parts.
Installation
The surround was six total pieces. The two-piece hearth has a metal framework behind for structure. The mantel is one piece, and rests on a steel framework. Since this was build specifically for the space, no on-site cutting was needed. A clean and quick installation!
Completed Work
