Professional Decorating Tips for Fireplace Mantels

Although fireplace mantels were originally used for cooking and heating, contemporary mantels have become the key focal point for setting the decorative style and atmosphere of a room. You can utilize simple accessories to enhance the room, or go all out with themed holiday decorations to transform the entire space for any special occasion.

Paying attention to basic design elements such as color, texture, balance, and size will help pull your decorations together into a beautiful display.

Getting Started

Professional designers often start decorating projects by jotting down ideas for the mood they'd like to create, and then collect an assortment of items to emphasize that style. They might not use everything they've found, but having things on hand means they can play with different combinations until hitting on the best design.

Spend some time considering how you'd like the type of event you'll be hosting. Are you having a flashy black tie cocktail party, or a relaxing springtime brunch? Maybe you'd just like to find new ways to freshen up the everyday look of a room? Either way, remember that different combinations of colors as well as the style (Victorian, modern, retro, country) of items you use will affect the overall mood of your room.

Choosing a Backdrop

To begin, you'll want to select an item to be the focal point of the display. Often this will be a painting or wall hanging that is placed on the wall just above the mantel, or even resting on the mantel. You can even change the focal point to match the occasion or season.

If you'd rather group several paintings together you'll want to only use a few items on the mantel itself to keep things from being overwhelming. The larger the item or grouping the more attention it will draw. A mirror is always a good choice to use as a large backdrop. It not only helps make the room feel larger, but reflects and draws attention to the other pieces you've placed on your mantel.

Don't forget to light your backdrop. Whether you use candles or install spot lighting, you'll want to make sure that the focal point isn't lost in the shadows.

Placement & Shape

The next step is to create a 'path' for the eye to follow, moving from the main focal point down and across the mantel. By using a variety of heights and sizes, and even texture, you can develop an interesting landscape that commands attention.

You can create a symmetrical design by centering one item on or above the mantel, and surround it with a series of identical items on either side. Each half of the mantel is a mirror image of the other. You can also layer items by height, with shorter items overlapping larger pieces. This style is often used to create a sense of formality.

Asymmetrical designs are usually the most popular, as they create a sense of motion by having different items on each side of the mantle. The key to this form is to keep the weight of items balanced visually. For instance you might have two larger objects on one end of the mantel, with a grouping of five small objects on the other end.

A radial design is created by placing objects around a central. The center item, regardless of shape, acts as an anchor. This kind of arrangement is best done similar to a symmetrical format; otherwise it can become too busy.

A layered look with lots of pieces and filler (such as greenery or garlands) works well for fall and winter, but is often too heavy for other seasons. One exception might be if your mantel is located in a large banquet or great room with high ceilings, otherwise keep things minimal by leaving breathing space between items.

Wrapping It Up

Whatever design style you select always be sure to follow safety precautions when using the fireplace. Do not place any items too close to the hearth itself, and use a protective screen to prevent ignition from sparks.

If you don't actually use your fireplace that often try placing decorations below in addition to on the mantel. You certainly wouldn't want a black void to detract from your display. A layered arrangement of white candles and greenery can be stunning for any occasion, but you could also do something as simple as a stack birch logs. Another alternative is to cover the hearth with a painted fireplace screen.

There are hundreds of options to choose from when decorating your mantel, but the same basic principles always apply. Using these designer techniques can help turn a ho-hum room into a memorable space that can easily be changed for any type of occasion.

About The Author
Kristene Markert is a writer and consultant for MissionStone.com; a manufacturer of custom cast stone fireplace mantels that have been featured on numerous home remodeling tv shows.
info@missionstone.com

Professional Decorating Tips for Fireplace Mantels

Although fireplace mantels were originally used for cooking and heating, contemporary mantels have become the key focal point for setting the decorative style and atmosphere of a room. You can utilize simple accessories to enhance the room, or go all out with themed holiday decorations to transform the entire space for any special occasion.

Paying attention to basic design elements such as color, texture, balance, and size will help pull your decorations together into a beautiful display.

Getting Started

Professional designers often start decorating projects by jotting down ideas for the mood they’d like to create, and then collect an assortment of items to emphasize that style. They might not use everything they’ve found, but having things on hand means they can play with different combinations until hitting on the best design.

Spend some time considering how you’d like the type of event you’ll be hosting. Are you having a flashy black tie cocktail party, or a relaxing springtime brunch? Maybe you’d just like to find new ways to freshen up the everyday look of a room? Either way, remember that different combinations of colors as well as the style (Victorian, modern, retro, country) of items you use will affect the overall mood of your room.

Choosing a Backdrop

To begin, you’ll want to select an item to be the focal point of the display. Often this will be a painting or wall hanging that is placed on the wall just above the mantel, or even resting on the mantel. You can even change the focal point to match the occasion or season.

If you’d rather group several paintings together you’ll want to only use a few items on the mantel itself to keep things from being overwhelming. The larger the item or grouping the more attention it will draw. A mirror is always a good choice to use as a large backdrop. It not only helps make the room feel larger, but reflects and draws attention to the other pieces you’ve placed on your mantel.

Don’t forget to light your backdrop. Whether you use candles or install spot lighting, you’ll want to make sure that the focal point isn’t lost in the shadows.

Placement & Shape

The next step is to create a ‘path’ for the eye to follow, moving from the main focal point down and across the mantel. By using a variety of heights and sizes, and even texture, you can develop an interesting landscape that commands attention.

You can create a symmetrical design by centering one item on or above the mantel, and surround it with a series of identical items on either side. Each half of the mantel is a mirror image of the other. You can also layer items by height, with shorter items overlapping larger pieces. This style is often used to create a sense of formality.

Asymmetrical designs are usually the most popular, as they create a sense of motion by having different items on each side of the mantle. The key to this form is to keep the weight of items balanced visually. For instance you might have two larger objects on one end of the mantel, with a grouping of five small objects on the other end.

A radial design is created by placing objects around a central. The center item, regardless of shape, acts as an anchor. This kind of arrangement is best done similar to a symmetrical format; otherwise it can become too busy.

A layered look with lots of pieces and filler (such as greenery or garlands) works well for fall and winter, but is often too heavy for other seasons. One exception might be if your mantel is located in a large banquet or great room with high ceilings, otherwise keep things minimal by leaving breathing space between items.

Wrapping It Up

Whatever design style you select always be sure to follow safety precautions when using the fireplace. Do not place any items too close to the hearth itself, and use a protective screen to prevent ignition from sparks.

If you don’t actually use your fireplace that often try placing decorations below in addition to on the mantel. You certainly wouldn’t want a black void to detract from your display. A layered arrangement of white candles and greenery can be stunning for any occasion, but you could also do something as simple as a stack birch logs. Another alternative is to cover the hearth with a painted fireplace screen.

There are hundreds of options to choose from when decorating your mantel, but the same basic principles always apply. Using these designer techniques can help turn a ho-hum room into a memorable space that can easily be changed for any type of occasion.

About The Author
Kristene Markert is a writer and consultant for MissionStone.com; a manufacturer of custom cast stone fireplace mantels that have been featured on numerous home remodeling tv shows.
info@missionstone.com

Fireplace Design - A Real Burning Issue

Mantlepiece and grate styles have altered but the basic structural elements of a fireplace have not radically changed for hundreds of years. The early combination of a large stone or brick opening with a chimney built over it evolved from the obvious fact that smoke rises, rather than from a scientific understanding of how a well-designed flue system works. Consequently early wood and later coal-burning fires were very inefficient and it was not until a certain Benjamin Thompson (also known as Count Rumford) produced his thesis on the principles of fireplace design in 1799 that smaller grates and improvements in the internal shape of the openings were introduced.

A brick or stone enclosure forms the basis of the fireplace. Variously known as the fireplace opening or recess or builders opening, it may be set flush with the wall or built out into the room, forming a chimney breast. This chimney breast rises through the height of the house, emerging through the roof to form a chimney stack. At the top of the opening the gather and flue combine to carry the smoke up the chimney. If the chimney is shared by several fireplaces on different floors, it may contain more than one flue.

The masonry over the fireplace opening is supported by a lintel or a brick arch. Old inglenook fireplaces used massive oak beams, whereas a strong iron strap usually supports an early brick arch. Later fireplaces may have a straight arch supported by angle iron, and by the twentieth century cast concrete lintels were the norm.

A hearth, constructed from non-combustible materials such as stone or tile-faced concrete, projects out into the room to protect the floor from falling ashes. In most old houses the hearth was set flush with the floor, although sometimes a superimposed one was used to raise the level. The space within the fireplace opening, known as the back hearth, is usually level with the hearth itself. A dog grate for burning wood or coal can be placed on this back hearth. However, by the mid-nineteenth century the mass produced cast-iron register grate which filled the opening, had become the fashion.

To complete the assembly, a mantelpiece or mantel – or fireplace surround, as it is often called today – is fitted to frame the grate or fireplace opening. The mantel may be constructed from stone, slate, marble, wood or cast iron. The walls around it may be finished with wood paneling, or more commonly with plaster, and in some cases the mantel extends upwards to form an impressive chimneypiece. Mirrored overmantels were introduced in the late eighteenth century, and these became the classic feature of Victorian sitting rooms.

Within this fireplace an open fire burning wood or coal is a cheerful sight, but if it is your only source of heat, as it was for centuries, this romantic image can soon fade especially if the fire does not burn properly. Getting a fire started and keeping it alight then becomes a challenge, if not a chore. For wood and coal fires to burn well a good supply of air is needed under the grate, as well as a means of escape for the hot gases and smoke. With the fuel safely contained within the fireplace opening on a grate, free circulation of air is possible and waste ash can fall through the grate so the fire is not stifled. If the chimney is inadequate or the flow of air is restricted the fire will not function effectively.

About The Author
Richard Banks is a contractor with many years experience in home remodelling and improvements. For more information on fireplaces visit www.fireplacecapital.com.

Antique Fireplace Mantels

Are you looking to change your plain old boring fireplace mantel? Well if you’re thinking about setting up an antique fireplace mantel that will go with the classy theme the rest of your house has, don’t fret it can be easily achieved.

These are timeless and sophisticated mantels that have long ago been associated with mansions and palaces. But now you can get that same look in your home.

If you have an older home that is colonial then an antique fireplace would look great, because it will create an historic presence.

The vintage mantels weren’t built for today’s fireplaces, so even if you buy one from an antique or salvage store you would still have to make some adjustments to it. For the most part, the mantels tend to be a lot bigger, so you’ll have to get them trimmed. It would be wise to have the dimensions of you’re fireplace with you when you go to the store. So you get one that would fit your fire place.

As for accessorizing your mantel, you should keep with the vintage theme and put antique bottles or miniature sculptures. Once the mantel is in your room, if you feel it looks clustered, don’t worry. By putting a mirror on the mantel it can create an illusion that the room is big.

It is really important that before you do any sort of construction that you verify the building and fire codes. These mantels are quite expensive, so consider hiring someone to do it. Experts say that this type of job is for professionals only. But look at it this way, if you decide to sell your house, having a fireplace of this magnitude can increase the value of your home.

So now you can go out and get that antique mantel you’ve always wanted.

About The Author
Jason Cox is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.curtains-n-drapes.com/ . His articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.bestbathroomdecorator.info/ and http://www.bestheaterguide.info/.

Antique Fireplace Mantels

Are you looking to change your plain old boring fireplace mantel? Well if you’re thinking about setting up an antique fireplace mantel that will go with the classy theme the rest of your house has, don’t fret it can be easily achieved.

These are timeless and sophisticated mantels that have long ago been associated with mansions and palaces. But now you can get that same look in your home.

If you have an older home that is colonial then an antique fireplace would look great, because it will create an historic presence.

The vintage mantels weren’t built for today’s fireplaces, so even if you buy one from an antique or salvage store you would still have to make some adjustments to it. For the most part, the mantels tend to be a lot bigger, so you’ll have to get them trimmed. It would be wise to have the dimensions of you’re fireplace with you when you go to the store. So you get one that would fit your fire place.

As for accessorizing your mantel, you should keep with the vintage theme and put antique bottles or miniature sculptures. Once the mantel is in your room, if you feel it looks clustered, don’t worry. By putting a mirror on the mantel it can create an illusion that the room is big.

It is really important that before you do any sort of construction that you verify the building and fire codes. These mantels are quite expensive, so consider hiring someone to do it. Experts say that this type of job is for professionals only. But look at it this way, if you decide to sell your house, having a fireplace of this magnitude can increase the value of your home.

So now you can go out and get that antique mantel you’ve always wanted.

About The Author
Jason Cox is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.curtains-n-drapes.com/ . His articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.bestbathroomdecorator.info/ and http://www.bestheaterguide.info/.