We
just recently moved into a new rental house. And we love it! It's a
little roomier and we are so glad to have a backyard for the pups, but
it did come with a few challenges... #1: a giant wood paneled
fireplace/mantel. Even with a design background, this was a challenge I
have not yet encountered. Mantel design is somewhat of a science, but
it's rules are also meant to be bent. To me, it's the focal point of a
room and can set the mood for the entire space. It can also help
harmonize the design of the room.
Since
the harmony, balance and mood of my home is very important to me I have
been currently obsessing over mantel designs. OBSESSING! Even more so
since the holidays are coming up. I took to Pinterest to find some
ideas that incorporated items I already had, like old shutters, a
salvaged window and candle holders. Well I found TONS of lovely
inspiration, so much so, that I thought I'd share with you. I've also included my final mantel design at the end.
Hope you enjoy perusing as much as I have!
And a few with some holiday spirit...
After
hours on pinterest and several iterations later I finally came up with a
winner. Our style is somewhat a mix of island eclectic and rustic, so I
chose to incorporate items that showcase this. I really love how it
turned out and even ended up making a fabric wreath from our left over
wedding fabric to tie it all together. There's nothing better than
decorating your home with things that hold fond memories.
I
plan to keep the shutters & window and change out a few of the
smaller items to transition into Fall and then again for
Christmas/Winter. I'll try to do another post showing these as well.
If you are like me and are feeling a little overwhelmed with a huge blank mantel, just remember some simple tips:
1) Start with a large focal piece or two
2) Add objects of varying heights and textures in groups of 2 or 3
3) Layer art and add smaller items to fill in
4) Make sure some items are sentimental/meaningful
5) Books help add height and color
6) Greenery/flowers and fabric can soften the look
7) Try to only use 2 basic colors in the design - for example: blue and turquoise - this will help keep the look cohesive and not too busy
And 8) Just have fun and don't be afraid to try many layouts before you get to your perfect one!
Thanks for reading and I hope you've enjoyed this bit of mantel inspiration. :)
