Live Virtual Workshop
with Gary M. Katz
Saturday, July 8th
9–11:00am Pacific / noon-2pm Eastern
Exclusive access with book pre-order!
American Mantelpieces
A Carpenter’s Introduction to Architecture
(Or, Ice Cream & Architecture)
What if you could see architecture differently?
Not just build it.
Not just copy it.
But understand why it works.
In this live, two-hour virtual workshop, Gary M. Katz—author, finish carpenter, and educator, will take you through the architectural foundations that shape great design.
This is not a dry lecture on history. And it’s not a design trend presentation. It’s a carpenter’s introduction to architecture.
Clear. Practical. Rooted in proportion. Grounded in the real world of tools, wood, and craft.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Finish carpenters who want their work to feel “right,” not just look expensive
Woodworkers who care about proportion
Historic restoration contractors
Architects who want to understand traditional detailing more deeply
Architecture students
Design lovers and old-house nerds
Anyone who has ever looked at a mantel and thought: something’s off… but I don’t know why
What You’ll Learn
DEAD WRONG DESIGNS
What’s wrong with this picture? Gary will talk through real examples of architectural and mantelpiece designs that miss the mark—and explain why they fail.
You’ll learn:
How to spot proportion problems instantly
Why certain details clash stylistically
What separates intentional design from accidental design
After this section, you’ll never look at trim, casing, or a mantel the same way again.
01
THE CLASSICAL ORDERS—AND WHY THEY STILL MATTER
02
Architecture didn’t begin with the internet.
You’ll get a working understanding of:
The primary parts of classical architecture
The so-called “esoterica” that actually governs design logic
Proportion — and how it translates directly into mantelpiece design
How these centuries-old systems still influence American architecture today
This isn’t academic theory. It’s practical fluency.
MAJOR AMERICAN PERIOD STYLES
You’ll learn how to identify and distinguish:
Georgian
Federal & Greek Revival
Victorian
Aesthetic Movement & Arts & Crafts
Modernism
The Revival periods
And more importantly, what details define them. When someone says “Federal mantel,” you’ll know what that actually means.
03
ICE CREAM & ARCHITECTURE
Yes. Really.
This closing section brings everything together.
Because architecture, like ice cream, follows rules —even when it feels joyful, creative, and personal.
Gary will connect proportion, intuition, and craft in a way that makes architectural principles not only understandable, but usable.
04
WHY THIS WORKSHOP EXISTS
American Mantelpieces isn’t just a book about fireplaces.
It’s about architecture. It’s about proportion. It’s about the cultural language embedded in the details we build.
This workshop is an extension of that journey.
It’s a rare opportunity to hear directly from Gary—live, and deepen your understanding of the book and so much more.
DETAILS
This is a one-time event.
A recording will be available to attendees.
DATE & TIME
Saturday, July 8th | 9-11am PT / noon-2pm ET
Live on Zoom
FORMAT
Available with pre-order
REPLAY
Pre-order American Mantelpieces directly through this website to receive access to the live workshop and recording.
Support the book. Join the conversation. See architecture differently.
American Mantelpieces
A Carpenter’s Journey Through Architectural Styles
By Gary M. Katz, with Wm. Todd Murdock
Full-color hardcover, ~380 pages, coming summer 2026
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY
Purchase your copy and receive exclusive access to Gary’s live virtual workshop on Saturday, July 8th!