Mantels are tricky to decorate! I haven’t dedicated enough time to our fireplace mantel, and it’s one of my least favorite areas of our house. I just threw some extras up there and have never really styled it. Whatever, I guess – it’s fine for the next two months.
I have a few friends and clients who have been asking for mantel styling inspiration. And there are two fireplaces in our next place, so I could use a little inspiration myself.
DC Design House, via Washington Post
Domino
Elle Decor
Sara Story
James Brittain
Brown Design for HB
I like a pair of topiaries, orchards or other potted plants:
I also like quirky little collections:
HB
Domino
I’ve noticed lots of off-centered pairings of two accessories (usually candlesticks):
Martensen via Desire to Inspire
Country Living
Loving a great pair of sconces flaking the fireplace mirror:
Elle Decor
Domino
I also love the layered look. A great big mirror and a few small pieces of art, plus a little accessory or two:
Sarah Richardson
I would love to see your ideas for a corner fireplace. It seems that most houses (at least where we live) have corner fireplaces. They are so awkward and hard to decorate in my opinion. I'd love to see if you have some ideas! The top of the fireplace is large enough to fit some TV's, but not ours, so it has a big open space. Ugly.
My problem is I love my mantel but it also has to be functional as I do not have a lot of space for books in my house. While I wish it could be artistic, it is functional.
mantle styling is my worst nightmare. seeing all these helped me tremendously. now I think I know what I like and want to try…thanks SO MUCH!
Great photos Jenny…well you can't be good at everything I guess and like you say it's only for two more months.
I think alot of us are in the same boat.
Karen
Your mantel looks amazing! What are you talking about? Any of the rest of us would be proud to have a mantel like that!!
Can you come and style mine now? Why is it that they are so hard to get right??
i love the idea of a huge piece of art above the fireplace. it's really not the most practical place to hang a mirror so why not use the space to make a statement?
if we had a fireplace I would be changing it ALL THE TIME!
Just what I was in the market for these days…I have moved on from dreaming about having walls (because EEEK! We have them!!) and am now starting to imagine floors and mouldings and mantels!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow! I love these. You found tons of great different looks.I'm always looking for mantel inspiration too. I want to hear more about this new place you guys have. I am so excited for you. Congrats on all the great accomplishments this year (and the end of last!:)
I'm in the same boat as Chelsea. Big corner fireplace that I can never make work.
Great round-up. I have always struggled with my mantel. Mostly I don't want to have to commit and I can't find what I am envisioning in my head. This post came at the perfect time. Thank you darling.
Lots of great inspiration! Oh how I long for a fireplace with a mantel.
I LOVE the gray and yellow room near the top. I think you've posted another picture from that room in an older post? Such a great color combination!
Great post….I stumbled upon ur blog via Centsational girl and I am already hooked..Thnx 4 providing the daily dose of inspiration.
Ugh! Mantels are my weak spot. My fireplace is floor to ceiling brick, and it's in the corner. The mantel is only 4" deep. I'd love to build a wood mantel over it but that may cost a fortune. Any suggestions or a follow up post would be great!!
I love the look of clocks over the fireplace. Some of those were gorgeous. I do have a question for you though! My mantle is in a corner of a room, so there is room above it (big inlet) that is supposed to be for a t.v., but I can't stand the look of that. What do you suggest to fill the void in that large space?
I love each and every one of those looks.
I love a great mantel vignette!
These tips are so great! And I absolutely LOVE the layered mirrors! I never would have thought of that!
Lovely examples. Love the one from Brown Design.
xo,
cristin
I like the ginger jars but on either side of the mirror, they make the mirror look small. ( unless it is just the angle of the photo)
I would like something big, one something big with the mirror like maybe one ginger jar with flowers in it instead…
I come from houses with fireplaces and it is actually one of my favorite spots to decorate. That small spot requires little but it needs the right balance most of all.
So great! Yours included! I have so many of these photos saved up as well…and for the exact same reason! That Eliot Puckette painting gets me every time! {sigh}
I prefer something simple. Overstyled doesn't feel livable to me. I do like the layered look, though…
There are so many beautiful images to peruse and take in. I love the deep aqua and black! I change my mantle seasonally. But I'm sure I will use the inspiration of your wonderful post to help me!
Yvonne
Great Ideas!! Thanks for inspiring!! You have a fantastic blog!! All the best, Connie
What a fabulous & inspirational post, I am building a new home & it will have a fireplace. You have given me so many ideas I think I will need to restyle every week to use them all. Awesome!!!
I sent this link to my mom and last night we picked out great decor for the top of the piano. We did mustard candlesticks, an artichoke knick knack, a silver rectangle curved plate with good textured wooden balls in it, and a tall plant with the ball of foliage on top. Besdies pictures of grandkids, the last decor she had there were those painted bunnies and horses from the 90's. It was time. Thanks for the tips!
Ideas couldn't come at a better time. I'm struggling with how to style a mantel in a room I've been moving on – have to have it wrapped up by Monday when the friend has her "unveiling" party – eek!