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"I just wanted to take a minute to tell you how pleased we are with our new opportunity to spend more time outdoors!"  More Testimonials...

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Timber Frame
Design & Heavy
Beam Trusses

Timber frame design and heavy beam trusses for home remodel, new construction, and commercial structures in Vancouver, WA. Serving Washington, Oregon, Pacific NW, and abroad. Custom services include, but are not limited to:

  • Timber Framing
  • Truss Design
  • Front Entries
  • Kitchens
  • Great Rooms
  • Outdoor Pavilions
  • 3 Season Living Pavilions
  • Entry Gates and Portals
  • Barns
  • Fences
  • Bridges
  • Stairways
  • Decks
  • Tables
  • Benches
  • Kiosks
  • Coffee Bars
  • Church Crosses
  • Entries

...And any other idea you might imagine.

Our focus is for the people who want the enjoyment of unique, personalized timber living. We believe your timber structure should portray the strength and durability of the solid relationships you have forged in your life. Which is why we love giving you custom timber frame design and good, solid, heavy beam construction.

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Timber Living
Planning Guide

Timber Living Planning Guide

How To Discover
the Look You Want!

Get a head start on your timber frame project with this unique planning guide!

You will get ideas, thought-provoking questions, and short exercises to help you discover what you really want!

This will make your building process much easier and fun.

Request your electronic copy by simply entering your first name and e-mail. Thank you.
-Bert


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"This guide helped us identify both our collective style as a family as well as our overarching purpose for building a new timber frame home. It has been our privilege and pleasure to work with Bert and implement his guide."

Trial By Fire
The Birth of
Arrow Timber Framing

Timber Framing Buyer's Guide

Timber Framing
Buyer's Guide

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Is an Outdoor Living Pavilion Right For You?
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AND Enjoy the Process.
Guaranteed. 4 Proven Steps

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Arrow Timber Framing

Important Welcome Notes

May you find all of the inspiration, motivation and tips you need to imagine and acquire timber living; the Lodge, the Mansion or the Cabin, that fits you to a "T." Not too heavy. Not too light. A lasting statement that is FUN to build, and reflects your values and your personality.

May you have an enjoyable experience getting your Personalized Timber Living. From the moment you subconsciously set your goal, to 20 years after your project is complete. You and I know that we are talking the same language if the following words resonate with your vision of how your home/structure should feel.

• Long Term • Sturdy • Lasting
• Well Proportioned • Visibly Pleasing • Magnetic Living Space
• Balanced • Good Flow • Positive Energy
• Pragmatic • Rock Solid • Charismatic
• Delightful • Well Planned • Rewarding
3 Additional Things You Can Expect To Get From Arrow Timber Framing...   Continued →

Mantel Inspiration Is Easier
Than You Think!



What does a mantel symbolize? To best answer this question, perhaps a brief digression into the history of mantels is in order. Mantels began to surface and were popular with the European royalty from the Dark Ages to the early 17th century. They became places for self-expression. Some of these mantels were extravagantly ornate. Many would span whole walls and even had sculptures fashioned into them. Around the turn of the 17th century the style turned more to Italian. This marked the end of the lavish appearance. Simple mantels came into vogue about the time pragmatism {began}?? . Since then, styles have fluctuated, sometimes using sculptured corbels, sometimes extremely basic, and have evolved into the basic styles we see for mantels today. Mantels had been used in the past mainly as a place for the family portrait.

Basically, a mantel symbolizes what is close to your heart. Fire and warmth are closely linked with survival... A fire in the kitchen is used for cooking and food prep, which is also necessary for survival. But a fire in the living room means safety, relaxation, leisure, warm conversation with friends, etc. For me this means family time, relaxation at the end of the day, and a late-night place for both concentrating and learning, free from the daily distractions related to work. As far as design goes, I love it when pragmatic solutions are wed to artistic creativity. I prefer having some practical criteria to work with, some type of dilemma to solve and then using artistic creativity to work it out. That said, what does a mantel symbolize for you?

Hopefully you will have the answers to your questions regarding mantels upon finishing this article. You will probably want to pause to visualize your mantel while you read this entire article. Keep a pen handy so you can jot down a note when inspiration flashes through your mind!

To start with, let me give you four examples of mantel styles and how the decision process has unfolded for other clients. This will give you an idea of how many layouts are available and which elements you can use to personalize your mantel.

  • Pragmatic
  • Western/Lodge
  • European
  • Contemporary

Pragmatic

Pragmatic Style Mantle
Pragmatic style is just a simple mantel to display family heirlooms

For those who want a simple, straightforward mantel, the decision process will include the following questions: What width is needed to place items upon the mantel? What is a desirable mantel height? What are the height and width criteria regarding fire safety? All of which is followed by: How big should our mantel be?

For the pragmatic types, a mantel is a mantel. They will think about embellishments only if it will serve a practical purpose, such as rounding or easing sharp edges. Corbels will be considered only if they are needed for support. The style question is simplified to "What dimensions will feel right for the fireplace and the room?" Just a simple solid mantel.


Read the full article here for more mantle inspiration.