Mantel Mania: Sprucing The Space Above Your Fireplace
My name is Layla, and I'm a designaholic. I work from home as a design consultant and write a home decor blog called The Lettered Cottage.
My name is Layla, and I'm a designaholic. I work from home as a design... More »
If you have a fireplace, it's more than likely the focal point of your room. But decorating the mantel can be challenging, especially if it's extra-long. If you over-accessorize, the fireplace will feel cluttered, not relaxing. If you leave the mantel bare, the fireplace feels unfinished. Finding a happy medium is crucial to creating a great-looking mantel display.
Here are some tips on how to decorate your mantel in ways that will compliment the peaceful ambience of the fireplace below and suit your style.
Create Cottage Charm
Personalize your mantel with a charming collection of dishes or pottery that is special to you. For instance, a row of white ironstone pitchers would look fantastic on a cottage-style fireplace.
Make it Modern
A single, abstract piece of art and something organic, such as a large, spray-painted branch, would make a powerful statement on a modern mantel.
Rev up the Romance
Mix glittering mercury glass, graceful ceramic and vintage linen napkins for an undeniably romantic look. Don't forget to throw in some fresh flowers too!
Eclectic Enhancement
Vases filled with pheasant feathers, carved wood candleholders and a variety of framed black and white photography make for a "collected", eclectic look. (PS- don't worry about symmetry, the more random the arrangement the better!)
Go Global
An inlaid mirror, paired with some shapely candlesticks will create a global feel. Use a long, old wooden box in the center on your mantel to hide little treasures you collect during your travels.
For more mantel decorating ideas, stop by my blog on Monday, March 15th (2010) for "Mantel Mania".
Here are some tips on how to decorate your mantel in ways that will compliment the peaceful ambience of the fireplace below and suit your style.
Create Cottage Charm
Personalize your mantel with a charming collection of dishes or pottery that is special to you. For instance, a row of white ironstone pitchers would look fantastic on a cottage-style fireplace.
Make it Modern
A single, abstract piece of art and something organic, such as a large, spray-painted branch, would make a powerful statement on a modern mantel.
Rev up the Romance
Mix glittering mercury glass, graceful ceramic and vintage linen napkins for an undeniably romantic look. Don't forget to throw in some fresh flowers too!
Eclectic Enhancement
Vases filled with pheasant feathers, carved wood candleholders and a variety of framed black and white photography make for a "collected", eclectic look. (PS- don't worry about symmetry, the more random the arrangement the better!)
Go Global
An inlaid mirror, paired with some shapely candlesticks will create a global feel. Use a long, old wooden box in the center on your mantel to hide little treasures you collect during your travels.
For more mantel decorating ideas, stop by my blog on Monday, March 15th (2010) for "Mantel Mania".
Two tall candleholders, one wide painting and three small starfish equals perfection!
Here, a variety of items tell a story about the person who lives here.
There's not much room to accessorize on this shallow mantel, but I think the single floral arrangement was the perfect touch and lets the large piece of art above take center stage.
The vibrant painting above this mantel is allowed to be the "star of the show".
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| These wildlife-themed accessories create a natural look on this concrete fireplace. They seem so appropriate between the two big windows that frame the outdoors. |
Lots of rainbow-colored books make the most of the extra-long mantel, and work perfectly with this homeowners palette.
Topiaries are made for mantels!
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| Composition-wise, I think this is one of the best-dressed mantels I've seen in a long time. |
Ideabook updated on March 11, 2010.
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Thanks for all the ideas Layla!
Here is my fireplace:
Here are pics of mine, the one is in the bedroom and the other in the family room/kitchen area. I will be making some changes on both of them soon, will post pics as soon as they are re-done...
The white reindeer head was my inspiration piece. I am struggling right now because I changed colors in my family room. So please kee those ideas coming.