May 19, 7849 | Riordan's favorite source is Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, which carries salvaged lighting fixtures, stained-glass windows, mantels (fireplace surrounds), doors, tiles, ironwork and terra cotta. "It's like my candy store, but more expensive,"
May 19, 380 | The sofa table and a round side table were freshened up with green paint that matches a picture frame that was displayed above the fireplace mantel. "That frame was the inspiration of my color accent," says Stephenie. Over the course of a weekend (with
Aug 26, 2011 | Clutter eats equity. Pare down the personal items, take down the family photos and box up the golf trophies. Think in threes. Three items on the kitchen counter, three hanging plants on your front porch, three accessories on the fireplace mantle.
Aug 23, 2011 | A large mantel gave new life to a bland fireplace, and installation of a iron railing on the staircase was both practical and decorative. Working with Akin, the couple chose beautifully textured fabrics, a mix of medium and dark woods and furnishings
Aug 29, 2011 | Decorating with symmetry is creating a mirror image on each side of a central point. An common example would be a fireplace with a decorative feature on each side. On either side of a fireplace is a good spot for storage. The most common concept is to
I just took down all my christmas decorations and replaced them with the usual decor and realized....?
Dec 29, 2007 by planty
my fireplace mantel decor is soooo DRAB !! Any ideas or pictures or websites to give me ideas to make my mantel look nice??
What does your fireplace look like? What's the room's style?
If the wall comes out a bit where the fireplace is, you could paint it a different color to make it more the focal point in the room. Make sure the mantle is proportionate (not too small).
The problem I see is people tend to clutter the mantle with a bunch of small things, and that's what it looks like, a bunch of small things. You need variety in height, in size. Make sure you have one really big piece. It could be a big mirror, or a really big painting (or a picture with big matting), or a large item of decor (such as a boat, a sculpture, etc.). You could prop a grouping of framed pictures in different sizes on the mantle against the wall, maybe adding a collection of candles and a pitcher or vase. Think collections, groupings -- not spread out in uniform on either end. It doesn't have to be from center out.
Check out Country Living catalogs or online at countryliving.com (do a search for fireplace or mantle, or just flip through), HGTV.com, and Pottery Barn online for ideas.