Flame Birch Mantel

Working with Lee was a great experience! We were originally going to go with walnut, but after discussing and seeing some of Lee's work with Flame Birch, we switched to it. Lee was in contact regularly, involved us every step of the way, and the result was spectacular! We now have a beautiful one-of-a-kind flame bitch mantel.

JS

Jeannie Stubler

For Custom Fireplace Mantel

5.0

Sep 3, 2022

Working with Leland to create the mantle for my new house using the oak from my land was a wonderful process. He updated me at every turn and the result is incredibly beautiful. I provided the dimensions and the mantle fit perfectly. It’s the focal point of my home. He’s an artisan. Jeannie Stubler New London, Wisconsin

Lee did an awesome job on my custom made walnut mantel project which was over 100 inches long. The craftsmanship of this mantel really amplified the beauty of my new fireplace and great room. I was also very pleased with the communication throughout the process. Lee ensured my expectations were met/exceeded along the way.

Great, no issues, look forward to working with Lee again

Excellent maker with exceptional craftsmanship. I am absolutely in love with my new fireplace surround and wood shelves. Lee did an amazing job and was very communicative throughout the entire process. I really appreciated his attention to detail and ability to see my vision with limited context. Nice work!

I had a wonderful experience while creating our custom piece for our fireplace. The correspondence was always fast and we got updates on progress periodically. Lee knew exactly what we wanted. The drawings he sent shows exactly how it is built. The mantel is beautiful and is definitely an art piece in our home.

DD

Dennis Dahm

For Custom Quarter-Sawn Red Oak Mantel- Craftsman Style

5.0

Apr 23, 2020

Leland was great-answered all our questions - gave us a design quickly. Everything worked out PERFECTLY. If I need anything woodwork related I am calling Leland.

Leland was a true professional. His communication skills were excellent and he kept us up to date with his progress and with pictures. Prices for a custom built mantel not much more that the standard fireplace store stock mantel. If you want a custom mantel that you can be proud of, he is the man to go to. You will not be disappointed.

Leland was very attentive to ensure he was provided all the necessary information needed to help me as a customer. He asked for questions and clarity at all stages of the project from quote through delivery to make sure i was happy and would be getting the correct product for my needs. The mantel was a custom fit and based on the information I provided he found an adjustment to make sure the mantel fit my fireplace correct. The product delivered matched his high quality customer service which he also provided. I would strongly recommend working with Leland on projects.

Working with Lee was a pleasure. We communicated frequently during the construction of my mantle. He offered ideas on different woods, asked questions to understand my project, sent very detailed construction drawings, communicated directly with my contractor that was building the new fireplace to make revisions, sent many photos of the progress and completed the project much faster than I expected. In every way he was professional, courteous and highly communicative. It was a pleasure working with someone with such expertise. I didn't pay that much more than one of the mantles online that are shipped from China. Lee built a unique, very special mantle for our new house. Many thanks for the great job!

I love the fireplace mantel surround that Leland Franke made for me. He started with a detailed drawing of the plans, including measurements, to make sure it was what I wanted. He worked with me throughout the process to make sure that the measurements, design, wood, and stain color were exactly what I wanted. Once he started working on the project, I received nearly daily updates with photos showing the progress, which made it fun and exciting!! The finished product is gorgeous, and I can't wait to have it installed in my living room. I highly recommend Lee Franke of Custom Woodgrains!! Susan Temple, Mendota Heights, MN

Wonderful experience working with Leland Franke. Mantel met our expectations perfectly. Will definitely recommend Leland to our friends and anybody who asks where did you get that beautiful mantel from. Many thanks to Leland.....

Lee with Custom Woodgrains has been a pleasure to work with! He has gone the extra mile to create a custom mantel, and his work has exceeded my expectations! He sent very detailed drawings calling out dimensions, as well as stain samples so we could match our existing decor. It arrived in a custom made box that kept it protected, and it is absolutely breath taking! I highly recommend Custom Woodgrains!!

Working with Lee is a delight. He is communicative and highly responsive. He is very careful with measurements, and gave us a wide array of stain choices. The workmanship on our new mantel is exceptional. We absolutely love it. Our contractor was able to install the mantel easily. Thank you for a wonderful job!

ML

Michele Losselyong

For mlosselyong@gmail.com

5.0

Sep 12, 2017

Lee did a great job on the headboard we love it! He did a great job on communicating. He needed to make changes on the completion date but before changing the date he discussed with me if it would work to change the date due some other situations he had going. I was totally ok with it. I am most likely going to order another one in about a month or two. Michele Losselyong, Appleton, Wisconsin

This is our second experience and we are extremely pleased with all aspects of the project. From order to delivery everything went perfectly and the live-edge counter top is amazing. We already have another project in the works and look forward to more in the future.

I can honestly say that this was one of, if not the best experience I have had not just with the communication and value, but the pleasant and thoughtful dealings during the entire process. From design to completion I was never disappointed and my expectation were always exceeded. The final product was more than I could every wished for. I look forward to working with Leland again soon.

We were a little hesitant to use a bidding process for the work we needed done, but it proved to be the right decision! We wanted a walnut fireplace mantel, and sent pics of the grain and colors we were interested in and Leland constructed a beautiful piece for us. We couldn't be happier! The communication was exceptional throughout the process. We'd absolutely contact him again for our woodworking needs! I picked up the mantel personally and got to meet the craftsman!

I was looking to have a walnut fireplace mantel made and came across Lee while searching the Internet. I am so pleased that I found him. We just received the mantel and I could not be more pleased with it. It is absolutely beautiful. The graining in the wood and craftsmanship is excellent. Lee was great to work with and kept me informed of progress including pics as he went. Highly recommend!!!!

We couldn't be happier with our mantel. Lee was great to work with. He kept us informed through out the process. I was a bit worried about doing a project like this long distance but he knows how to make it work. Communication was great. He was happy to answer questions and make adjustments to the plan. He always responded quickly. He sent us samples of the stained wood. Definitely recommend Lee.

Lee was outstanding to work with. His workmanship was excellent, his communication on status was wonderful, he took great care in packing and shipping, and we were thrilled with the mantel. We would recommend him to anyone considering custom wood projects.

PB

Paul Brye

For Fireplace mantle

5.0

Dec 31, 2015

Lee did a great job designing a mantle to wrap around an existing brick fireplace. We planned to wrap with a stone product not yet selected. Therefore precise measurements and the various ways of mounting the mantle played as much into the success of the project as did the desired aesthetics. Lee patiently altered the design several times as the rest of the decisions about refacing the fireplace fell into place. The result is terrific and the fit is perfect. If you want a great mantle for a difficult situation you cannot do better than working with Leland Franke.

I had a wonderful experience working with Lee on this project, he build me a custom made maple mantel that's wraps around my fireplace. He wrapped it really nicely and it came in a nice crate, he communicated with me and sent me pictures during the process and he delivered what he said he would. I'm very happy with this service and would definitely use Lee again!

This experience was great from start to finish. Lee and I communicated very well at the beginning regarding what I was looking for and how he could make it happen. He was very specific with his questions and things he needed from me to make it correctly. He took great care in crating the mantel for shipping and it arrived in perfect condition. My husband installed it in less than an hour. I am thrilled with how it has changed the entire look of our living room. And it arrived just in time to decorate for Christmas. If I ever have another custom need I will use this company again.

RZ

Ronald Zagaja

For Wrap-Around Or 3-Sided Fireplace Mantel

5.0

Nov 23, 2014

I am very happy with the completed project. Working with Leland Franke was a pleasure. I could not have asked for better communication regarding plans, changes and being kept updated on the progress. I would not hesitate to use Leland for help in future projects. My sincerest tanks. Ron Zagaja Ipswich, MA