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DIY Tips and Tricks Styling a Fireplace

By Anita 10 Comments

living-room-with-white-linen

Styling a fireplace seems like it should be easy, but often there are issues that make it more difficult. For example, many have their TV above the mantle. I do, but it is behind the doors. That means we don’t have to look at the TV all of the time, but I am still limited because I must allow room for the doors to swing open. So anything in front of the doors must be short.

built-in-cabinet-chicken-wire

 

So I added this street sign below the doors. It is very old and rusty. Next to it, I added a little painting, and then a much taller French enamelware pitcher. What to put on the doors was also a dilemma. One Christmas I put wreaths on the doors and readers said the wreaths began to look like creepy eyes. I had to agree, to be honest. To make it worse, I put votives on the mantle that ended up looking like creepy teeth. It’s one of those things you just can’t ‘un-see’.  Want to see what I mean?

christmas-wreaths

 

I just can’t even look at it any more without seeing the mean Christmas face.

 

I had to find something that did not look like eyes, so I came up with the idea of using these faux antlers on the doors. They are from Ballard Designs.

 

fake-antlers

They are interesting and fun, but more importantly they don’t look anything like eyes. On the other side of the fireplace mantle I set an antique American clock.

Seth Thomas clock

Flanking the fireplace are French built-in cabinets with chicken wire in the doors. Because I have so much going on in the cabinets, I don’t think I need to much happening on the mantle.

French-fireplace

 

I’ve also got an antique fireplace screen that I sometimes use.

 

fireplace and armoire

 

Here are a few other things I have done here in the past. I’ve used an empty frame in front of the fireplace. (Just be sure to remove it when your fireplace is hot or in use.)

fireplace

I also put a map in front of the fireplace, again when it wasn’t in use.

fireplace-screen

 

I also at one time had two chairs and an ottoman here.

blue-ottoman-fireplace

 

For now, I like it simple, with just a chair and a few things on the mantle. There’s plenty going on in the room, any way. I admit, I do like a chair in front of the fireplace so I can sit there if I am really cold.

 

So what are my tips for decorating a fireplace?

  • Less is more on the mantle, especially if there is a TV above it.
  • Natural and simple, usually works very well especially with a pop of color.
  • If you don’t like what you have on your fireplace, take it all off and just add one thing at a time. Stop when it looks right.
  • Try items of varying heights on either side of the TV.
  • Try an ottoman or chair in front of the fireplace too. It might be too much, but you can always remove it, if you don’t like it.

built-in-cabinet-chicken-wire

 

 

This is part of our DIY Tips and Tricks series.

 

10389289_827300373981713_5584600548483410695_n

 

I hope you’ll check out the wonderful fireplaces at Yvonne’s and Karianne’s blogs.

 

Thistlewood Fireplace Project

THISTLEWOOD FARMS

TIPS AND TRICKS MANTELS-stonegableblog.com

STONEGABLE BLOG

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Filed Under: accessorizing, DIY TIPS AND TRICKS, fireplace, Project

Comments

  1. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    December 18, 2014 at 05:51

    I got my good laugh for the day with the creepy Christmas eyes and teeth, Anita. I do love the wreaths though!
    You are spot on with all your tips and tricks!!! So informative and beautiful as always! Thanks for all the work putting this together!
    xo

    Reply
  2. Philomena says

    December 18, 2014 at 06:17

    Too funny with the creepy Christmas face. It’s even made funnier by the ‘Believe’ sign below it!
    I love the cabinet to hide the TV. Happy holidays!

    Reply
  3. Heidi Colton says

    December 18, 2014 at 08:26

    You got me laughing hard at the creepy face! And the believe banner just made it funnier! I do love your doors over the tv and would love that for mine, but when my husband is home they would be open all the time and he is less than 10 years from retirement so I would have to take them off then anyway. Your home is beautiful and tastefully decorated. I so enjoy your posts.

    Reply
  4. Tina says

    December 18, 2014 at 09:22

    OH! You had me laughing so hard at the creepy face that I started to cry…I just couldn’t stop going back up to look at it! Thank you for the tips and tricks, I have such a hard time with our mantle, maybe these will help.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Reply
  5. Ellie says

    December 18, 2014 at 10:54

    Classy and stylish, but most of all beautiful!

    Reply
  6. Gee says

    December 18, 2014 at 19:31

    As soon as I saw the photo, I saw the mean face!! Then I read what you wrote.
    Funny!!! Luv the antlers 🙂

    Reply
  7. Diana says

    December 22, 2014 at 09:22

    Love the antlers the heads creep me out. Have a wonderful Christmas Anita can’t wait to see next year decor posts.

    Reply
  8. Rebecca says

    January 6, 2015 at 19:35

    Am I seeing a large cabinet blocking a window?! Your fireplace looks lovely!

    Reply
    • Anita says

      January 7, 2015 at 07:57

      That cabinet is a built in, so it is not blocking the window. It is below the window.

      Reply

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