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7 FIREPLACE DECORATING TIPS
By
Michelle O’Connor
- Whether
buying one for the first time or replacing an existing one, installing a new
fireplace
mantel surround does not take as much work as you think. If you don’t
have a fireplace mantel, consider getting one, as it will give your
fireplace a more finished, polished look.
You can even use a mantel in areas you don’t have a fireplace, as décor.
- The
grocery store can supply a wealth of ideas. Fruits are a low-cost way to add
color and quality to a mantel. Pack empty flower vases or jugs with lemons
or limes. Complete fruit exhibits with a flower arrangement. Another way to
add some sparkle is by placing little votive candles around the bottom of
the vessels.
- A
mantel should have its own focal point. Often, a single large painting or
mirror is used. If you decide to go this route, be sure the picture is not
hung too high. You can also just lean it against the wall. Use two or more
coordinated pieces of art to create a grouping for a different look.
If you don’t have a fireplace, and don’t want to have one built,
consider an electric
fireplace as a low-cost, portable option.
You can move them into any room of your home, as you please.
- Try
these seasonal changes:
·
Winter
– add potted evergreens, pinecones and sticks from the backyard
·
Spring
– use paper-whites, tulips, or forsythia
·
Summer
– place a flower in each of four or five identical vases, or use pots of
identical orchids
·
Fall
– try gourds and pumpkins
- You
can spiff up your mantel with functional collectibles, whether it is
flowerpots, vases, or even cookie jars. Playing cards, matches, whatever
little things you may use in that room can be used to fill the flowerpots.
Fill the vases with flowers, real, silk or dried.
If you live in an apartment or condo, or a house without a fireplace,
consider a fake
fireplace.
They can be inexpensive, high quality, and open up many more
decorating options for you.
- Gourd
groupings are a cheerful way to enliven a fireplace mantel. Group together
white gourds and white pumpkins and set out a bunch of red grapes and grape
leaves in between the gourds. Then intersperse silver and glass candlesticks
in varying heights with tall white taper candles in between the gourds and
grape clusters.
- Display
a grouping of floral plates on your mantel. Clean out the ashes in your
fireplace and fill the firebox with a large artificial fern or a basket of
colorful flowers. Place twigs in tall vases and place on each side of the
fireplace mantel.
Don’t forget about what is below the mantel!
The right glass
fireplace door or screen can do wonders for your fireplace décor.
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