wrote:

I would have loved to have done that, and was going to to begin
with,
but they decided they really didn't want the mantle to be thicker
than
4", and swore up and down they would never put anything heavy on it.
They were also sure the studs were wood, until I insisted they
verify
with the builder.


Oh well, maybe I'll suggest they hang it from the cathedral ceiling
with very long wires....

Will the client buy into the idea of the cleat being an architectural
item that serves as background for the mantle since it would be larger
than the mantle?

Lew