How to Build FIREPLACE MANTEL-103 Part 9: Lantern Crown & Collar

[This is part of my FIREPLACE MANTEL-103 series.]

Step 1: Installing the Crown Molding

I’m using CM-010 for the crown molding that wraps around the top of the lantern. It is a simple ogee profile that you can buy most any place that sells millwork.

And although I’m calling it the lantern crown molding, it does run across the length of the frieze to the other lantern, and so rightfully belongs to the whole fireplace mantel.

The number of miter cuts may look intimidating, but they are no more difficult to make than all of those cuts we made for the smaller crown in Part 6 of this installation.

Important Note: My Mistake

Somewhere in my calculations I forgot to add the 3/4″ of extra length I needed to the lantern tops. This is where I would mount the crown molding, leaving an even reveal around all of the inset panels.

No worries, a few strips of mdf and I’m back in business.

I wrapped the crown molding in the usual way, by making the outside corners as once piece and then assembling them in as single units.

Step 2: Installing the Collar

Use PM-014 or another molding of your own choice to wrap around the lower part of the lanterns.

Technically, you’d be just as correct if you called the collar the architrave. I use the term collar for moldings in this position on fireplace mantels.