Form Vs. Function.

This mantle was my friend Sharon's. When she had it in her house, it changed the look of the whole room. And though there never was a fire coming from inside the frame or wall behind, its character brought warmth and comfort to her sitting room. I wanted said warmth and comfort in my dining room but needed to have this mantle function in some way so I made a chalkboard and put it behind the mantle. It's function, you see, is obvious.