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going to a restore. they sell items that have come from home renos that people donate. not sure where you live, but in toronto there is a store called the door store and they may sell mantles too.
Personally,I don't know,
but why not put this on D&D forum...it certainly is a design question.
I would think, from experience painting many, many things..it would turn out nicely, providing you do the right priming etc. for paint..or sanding for stain.
good luck.