Outdoor Limestone Mantel with a Carved Keystone Hood

Built as an outdoor hearth, this limestone mantel carries a moulded cornice shelf above a frieze centred on a carved keystone of foliage rising from a small urn. Above the shelf the chimney breast steps back in stone stages to an open topped crown, and below it the opening is squared off around a herringbone firebrick firebox with gas logs. The limestone has gone warm gold and lightly crusted in the weather. Photographed on a hilltop terrace between iron framed sofas, it suits pool terraces, loggias, courtyards and outdoor living rooms.