Mantel was initially a term that referred to a protruding wooden or stone frame around the opening of a fireplace, to catch the smoke. The term has since then evolved to include decorative framework that is erected around the fireplace, including elaborate designs that extend to the ceiling. Marble Mantels, or any other Stone Fireplace Mantels for that matter, are the rage these days, with a range of designs available. They highlight the decor of the room, complementing the walls, the furniture and the decorative items.

Stone Fireplace mantels are best suited for large fireplaces, and they come in a variety of colors and stones, including limestone, granite, concrete and river rock. On the other hand, Marble Mantels create an elegant, rich look when placed atop a fireplace. Best suited to formal decor, a marble mantel is sturdy and long lasting, while at the same time, adding to the elegance of the decor.

Colonial, Victorian, French and Rustic marble or Stone fireplace Mantels are some of the most popular types of mantle designs that are available in the market. A colonial mantel offers a charming and warm decor, serving as a complement to traditional furnishings. Ornate Victorian Marble Mantels usually have elegant carvings or details, lending a more formal feel to a room. French mantels feature decorative ornamentation, which appear out of place in a relaxed and informal decor - and these mantels look magnificent when made out of stone. Ideal for country decor, rustic mantels allow the beauty of the wood itself to be the focal point. In contrast to the modern structures of marble and Stone Fireplace Mantels, antique mantels offer timeless beauty, elegance and unique designs.

While choosing a mantel, regardless of whether you are choosing stone or marble Mantels, you have to consider the amount of wall space that you have surrounding the fireplace. Buying larger mantels requires you to have it trimmed before fitting it onto your wall, and if you have chosen a Stone Fireplace Mantle, this will be quite a horrendous and costly task. A large mantle, especially marble ones, dwarfs the fireplace, and overwhelms the decor and becomes a distraction in the room.

Many of the stone and Marble Mantels are hand-carved by skilled artisans, based on your requirements and choice of design. Available in an array of colors, marble and Stone Fireplace Mantels are quite easy to maintain, especially since they are not damaged or scratched easily. Though many households use modern forms of heating, the fireplaces, and the mantels over it, are built as a decoration to the room.