Can't be of help here but I love how the fireplace and shelving unit looks!

I think you could attach the current one with construction adhesive and leave it at that.

For a box over the corbels, I would put a nailer into the brick that ran between the corbels and even with the top. Then decide the thickness of the box. Determine the exterior bottom edge of the box, come up 3/4" for 3/4" plywood if thats what you are making the box out of, and put in another nailer 3/4" from the bottom. Construct the box. The box should fit snugly over the two nailers and then it can be finish nailed onto these two nailers.

"raw cedar hanging over a fireplace is just a disaster waiting to happen"

That's what my mantle is made out of and we've never had a problem.

A good contractor/remodeler should be able to design & build a mantle for you. My husband (a contractor) does these jobs all the time. Thing is, a lot of GOOD contractors (except my hubby of course) rejects these small jobs.

I DO think you need a beefier mantle for sure.

And, on a design note, I would paint the backs of the bookshelves & perhaps add doors to the bottoms (that contractor/remodeler would be able to match the bookcase wood perfectly)

You may also look at people listed under "cabinet makers" or "woodworkers".

~Jeana

I was going to suggest the same thing as Jeana. We had a 3 sided box mantle made to fit over our raised hearth fireplace.We found a local cabinet maker who looked at my inspiration photo and adapted the look to my fireplace and the rest of my room.

If you could get a custom mantle that wraps around your fireplace and also matches your shelves, it would look like a single unit. I also like the suggestion of doors for the lower shelves.

Firstly your FP and shelf unit is gorgeous. I love the
size and color of your mantle as well. It matches the size
of the top moulding across the top of the bookcase.
When you say raw cedar do you mean stained but unfinished
as far as poly is concerned?
I showed this to my main man and he said...
As far as the attachment is concerned you can just apply some construction
adhesive to the plints or get some
double faced tape like they use for applying mirrors.
His choice would be the double faced tape.
It's as easy as that, really.

Joann

Thanks so much!

Someone at work suggested construcion adhesive, as well. The thing that concerns me is that if we ever decide to change the mantle, wouldn't it damage the brick to try and remove it? I may look into the double faced tape, too. It looks like they originally used some sort of glue, because there's some residue on the bottom of the plank.

Yes, the cedar is totally unfinished. No wax, no poly, no varnish of any kind. I'm not even sure it has any stain on it, it's just a rough plank of wood.

Well then if you're thinking of replacing it in the future
then use the tape. You can remove it with
the construction glue as well, but the tape would
be easier...The tape will secure it just fine.

Is there a chance you mcould take a close-up of the mmantle so I could see
the color and condition of the
wood? Is is a solid hunk of wood or is it three sided? (hollow inside)
Are you guys a little handy? You could finish your
existing mantle with poly.

AS I said the color and size looks real nice, but I'd
like to see a close-up of the wood.

Joann