Mantels are focal points in many living rooms, so it’s important to style them in the best possible way. This is what your eye goes to, and this is what your guests will notice when they come for a visit.
Let’s dive right in. Yvonne of Stone Gable and Kelly of My Soulful Home discussed mantels on the podcast today.
This entire discussion is available for you to listen HERE.
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Yvonne discussed her approach when decorating a mantel. She starts with layers. First she adds the shutters and the window. That gives height to the display on the mantel. It also adds texture and interest to the mantel.
Yvonne then adds details in front of the elements in the back (the shutters and window.) She often decorates for the seasons. Below is her spring mantel.
This is her summer mantel with a nod to the Fourth of July. Look at those adorable pinwheels and stars.
This last view is of her mantel with greenery in shiny pots, lamps, the big clock and the large star. Think of all the layers and textures she used. There are different levels of things also.
So now let’s take a look at my very different mantel. Here I have a TV hidden behind the doors. Many people have a TV above their mantel and it does hinder what you can put there. Even if you don’t have swinging doors to deal with, you may have a TV that you don’t want to obscure. Below I used faux olive trees for height on the ends. In front of the doors, I had to go with something short, so I use a collection of blue and white pitchers. Because I was so limited on the mantel, I added some nice large elements to the front of the fireplace. Obviously I move those things when the fire is burning.
Previously, I’ve used faux antlers on my doors. I think they are pretty, but I got tired of them. The display below used more color with some purple dried flowers and a little painting.
Another look is to go with very large candlesticks on either end, with mainly white ironstone below the doors. When working with clients, I find that fireplace mantels are one of the most difficult places for people to decorate. Typically the problem is that the things on the mantel are too small and short. Go tall if only on the ends.
Another approach is to vary texture and color. The above look was a monochromatic collected look, but going with a variety of items with varying heights, color and texture is another way to add more dimension to the space.
Some people love using a mirror over their fireplace, while others really dislike that.
I think my take-aways are to experiment, try new things, add texture and height.
Remember you can catch all the podcast episodes HERE.
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Really great ideas. Love the three blogs. Thanks for sharing.
Plenty of great ideas, thanks.
I love all the ways I see mantels decorated on the blogs. In Central Texas we have little need for a fireplace, but I’d love to have a mantel for another decorating opportunity. So many gorgeous ideas here!
Love to see new ways to decorate my mantel. Thanks
Love the mantle ideas
Pretty, but a little to much stuff on the mantel for me. Too cluttered. I have been on a mission to declutter my house. I am trying to learn that I don’t have to display everything I own.
So ready for spring and Easter! I mad an Easter banner on the chair webbing last year. It was so easy, yet very finished looking!
I’m in Central Texas, too (the wood we laid in the fireplace has remained ready to light since October 2015). But I love having the mantel and the chimney breast. Right now I have a Stonegable/French Farmhouse inspired grouping of simple but fab faux (Yvonne’s advice) succulents with hurricane candlesticks. Thank you, ladies!
Love beautiful mantel ideas. I just need my hubby to hang the tv over the mantel instead of sitting on the mantel. I miss decorating our mantel, especially with these wonderful mantel ideas.
I have a fireplace with bookshelves on each side. Love these ideas. I was nervous about putting anything too large on the mantel. Now I’m not. I’ll experiment. Also I notice you white washed your brick. I’ve been thinking about that. It does seem to widen the look. Any thoughts, now that you’ve lived with it?
Oh I have tumbled marble around my fireplace, not brick. But you might like white-washing your brick. I love that look.
Anita – I love your mantel ideas. I’m constantly trying to figure out how to decorate around our TV hung over the mantel. I love the doors that you have. Are they custom? If not, can you refer me to the vendor?
Many thanks
Yes they are custom, built in. You can always hire a carpenter to do it in your home Donna.
Keep ideas coming for mantel arrangements. I learn something new each time and encourages me to fine tune my ideas.
Love listening to the three of you, and all your tips. This was timely as we just painted our mantle and I am deciding on how to decorate it.
Love all the Mantel pictures! Soon I’m going to be brave and white wash my red brick fireplace. The whole thing mantel and all is red brick and I hate it. Thanks for the beautiful pictures of inspiration.
Good timing for me here as I plan to “renew” my mantel for Springtime very soon!
Thank you?
I wish I had a mantel to decorate. I might put a narrow shelf/ledge behind my sofa and treat it as a mantel.
Thanks for the mantle suggestions. I like the idea of decorating for the holidays.
Loved all of the mantle inspirations! Soon moving into a condo wi two mantles. Need all the ideas I can get! Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the mantle tips. I live in a 116 yr old Victorian that people have tried to modernize over the years, so they tore out all of the fireplaces and mantles. I am in the process of looking for a couple of mantles for my living room and dining room, just as architectural pieces, no fireplaces. It hurts my soul the way people have ruined the Victorian bones of this home on the inside. The outside was left intact, thank goodness.
I love a really good mantel decorating look–I love a mirror on the mantel– my large one is just leaning up there and I really like that look. Have tall candlesticks on each side…..
Thanks for the mantel inspirations! So great !!