Fireplace Mantel Makeover - Do you Like it? (PICS)

13 years ago

Hi all,

I've had the decorating bug lately, and I recently posted about hanging a decorative round clock above my fireplace mantel. Here is my BEFORE picture:

Opinions here were split 50/50, and in the end, I decided the clock might demand too much attention in that location and overwhelm everything else. Many of you said the clock would look better on a wall. Anyway, I did find an inspiration image from a decorating blog that took me in a new direction:

I love how everything is a beautiful creamy color and how it contrasts with the fireplace stone.

So . . . a hunting I went on e-bay to find a nice vintage antique ceiling tin cut out decoratively for a small mirror. I also found the farmhouse vase and some other items at an antique store. The hydrangeas are from my side yard garden.

Anyway, here are the AFTER pictures:

I hope you like them. Do you think the hearth area needs anything?

Jan

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Comments (16)

patty_cakes
13 years ago
Jan, it looks great, a nice summer look with the white. I did a 'season change' out, and used all my whites/creams for tablel vignettes/centerpieces/mantle as well as changing lampshades/candles/accessories to white/cream. When I change back, usually end of September, it gives me a feeling of having gone shopping.

As for the hearth, look for something 'big and white' in the garden department of a local nursery. A large urn/vase with tree branches sprayed white would look pretty. The fireplace is looking very cottage-y and cozy. ;o)
folkvictorian
13 years ago
Yes, it looks great and really lifts up the mantel area, instead of making it too dark. Pretty candlesticks, too!
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I used a reclaimed Douglas Fir beam for my mantle, with a limestone surround. The mantle and overhead beams are now stained and really set off the stone (thanks Lindy)... I wired for lights in the stone above mantle for one more level of light. I plan to put sconces there with an umber colored glass shade casting light above and below the sconce. Since I have a vaulted ceiling (stone goes to 10' and ceiling vaults to 13')I wired for low voltage lights to beam above and below the mantle since it protrudes into the room by approximately 14". Note the stone "cutout" on the lower right below the hearth. The stone mason made this cutout by putting the stone on the wood, then fitting it in like a puzzle. Behind this small opening is the speaker/audio/television system wiring for future use in this room. My DH's dream is to put a TV above this mantle. I told him this will happen only in his dreams! But it's there if we ever need it. Hope this helps. V
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Fantastic!!! You have done what I am just beginning to think about doing!I was surfing CL last night looking at wing chairs to slipcover with linen like fabric like you! .( I may have found a slipcovered Mitchell Gold sofa for 250) no wing chairs yet.But just thinking about it,not sure I can pull it off but your photos show I am on right track You have amazing talent here- not everyone can do what you have done- as simple as it may be to you to do! Gorgeous gorgeous work! thanks for the inspiration.Sue
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teacats
13 years ago
Very very summery and fresh!

Gorgeous flowers!! And from your garden? Lucky you!! :)

Jan at rosemary Cottage
Oakley
13 years ago
By golly, you just solved my year long problem with my mantel!

I love the monochromatic color you have up there. I think a creamy white would be perfect for my own mantel. And think of the possibilities at Christmas!

This is why I don't like a big picture or large wall clock on a mantel. You can't play with it. lol.
carolfm
13 years ago
I think it looks wonderful!I don't think the hearth needs anything.
Jeane Gallo
13 years ago
I love it! I agree, I don't think the hearth needs anything. Less is more, in my book. Great job.
kitchenkelly
13 years ago
Oh, that is fabulous! I am a big fan of contrast and love the white against the mantel. All the textures work so well together. Bravo, Jan.
natal
13 years ago
I'm going to be the dissenting voice. I think the tin has too much white. If there was more of the natural color exposed I think it would be a better fit.
jan_in_wisconsin
Original Author
13 years ago
pattycakes - Thanks, I love the idea of changing things periodically. I do have some special decorations for the Christmas season, but other than that, I'm hoping to swap out the hydrangeas for fall foliage, twigs, or whatever is in season.

folkvictorian - The creamy colored items were what drew me to the inspiration picture. I probably wouldn't have thought to use such a light color, but when I saw the picture, I knew it could work. Anything dark gets lost against the brown tones of the stone.

teacats - Thank you, and I am a flower garden girl who loves anything with blooms.

oakleyok - I struggled with this spot for the past several years, so if I've saved you any grief with your own mantel, I'm very glad! Did you post about your mantel before? I seem to remember reading something about someone's situation, and I don't recall if it was you or not.

carolefm and jeane - Thanks, and I'm glad if the hearth doesn't need anything, as I've pushed my decorating pea brain as far as it can go for awhile - LOL.

kitchenkelly - Thank you! It means a lot to hear positive feedback from this group. I am such a novice that I always feel hesitant to post pictures of my humble attempts, but I'm glad I did now.

natal - I purchased the tin from an antique dealer online, and it came painted this way. I do like the natural color, but again, it would get somewhat lost in the stone background if too much were exposed. Maybe I can sand some more off, but I'm a little chicken to try that.
daisychain01
13 years ago
I like the new mantel, but I LOVE those chairs. The creams on the mantel go well with the lightness in the chairs.
jan_in_wisconsin
Original Author
13 years ago
daisychain01 - Oh, thanks so much for your compliment on the chairs! I am SO indecisive about everything (analysis paralysis - ugghh), that one day when we were wandering around in a furniture store, one of the decorators offered to come to our house for free to make recommendations, and I thought, "If I don't even know what I want, how is SHE possibly going to know what I want?!!" But . . . she came out and spent some time looking at the house to get a feel for our style and recommended the chair style and fabric. I love them too, and they are SO comfortable. I sit there all the time. I agree that the creamy colors pick up on the chair fabric well. Thanks again for posting.

Jan
loribee
13 years ago
Love the chairs too and your "mantel-scape" is wonderful!!
paintergirl94
13 years ago
Love the candlesticks. How about a big basket of your flowers on your hearth?
jennybog
13 years ago
Wonderful!!!! I like the idea of a big basket at the hearth
jan_in_wisconsin
Original Author
13 years ago
loribee - Thanks, the inspiration photo really helped me get on my way. Now, if I can just run with this stuff all over the rest of my house - I have lots of bare spots that need some decorating.

paintergirl94 and jennybog - I can't resist flowers no matter where they are. Do you think a large basket in the center of the hearth or off to the side would look best?

Jan
jan_in_wisconsin
Original Author
13 years ago
If anyone else is interested in fireplace mantel decorating ideas, I'm posting a link below to the website where I found my inspiration. There are lots of other ideas there too - see the links down further on the page.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Soft Place to Land

Fireplace Mantel Makeover - Do you Like it? (PICS)

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Fireplace Mantel Makeover - Do you Like it? (PICS)

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