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Decorating: If you have a fireplace...  

post #1 of 33
9/12/08 at 3:40pm
Thread Starter 
what do you have above it? I'm trying to get new ideas.
post #2 of 33
9/12/08 at 3:52pm
You can see a picture here. It is the 7th picture down. Just a simple wooden statue that we got on our honeymoon and a wooden sign that says "Family". I find that the less I have up there, the cleaner my room looks.
post #3 of 33
9/13/08 at 1:14am
A small Venus of Willendorf statue, a small incense holder, a single taper candle, and several green plants.
post #4 of 33
9/13/08 at 1:20am
Three pillar candles on the left end and a hurricane vase and a tall (2ft) glass vase on the other. I have a berry wreath on the wall in the center.

In the past I had a ton of framed photos, but that was before we actually used the fire place.
post #5 of 33
9/14/08 at 12:31am
you can see mine here
post #6 of 33
9/14/08 at 1:02pm
Just a mantle and two crystal candle holders.
post #7 of 33
9/14/08 at 8:15pm
Our FP is brick. We took down the mantle and have a large picture hanging there. It is a framed print from Cost Plus World Market. It is abstract, and sort of Asian with willow branches and an iris.
post #8 of 33
9/14/08 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vm9799 View Post
you can see mine here
I have decorating envy.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! I think I have too much going on on mine.
post #9 of 33
9/15/08 at 2:40pm
This is what my mantle looks like now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/archymo...7607150273471/

The Italian clock is not my taste, but it's an heirloom from DH's family (and they visit too often for me not to display it). The large frame holds a photo from when I lived in the Caribbean. I also have a couple pieces of antique art pottery on the mantle. Above the mantle is a ceramic tile (I collect these and have them hanging all over the house).

My MIL, who is a designer, says that it's best to have a couple large items (ie. framed art & vase) on the mantle and to keep it simple. Mine is probably too busy, but I like it.
post #10 of 33
9/15/08 at 9:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamaley View Post
I have decorating envy.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! I think I have too much going on on mine.

aww, you're so sweet! thank you.
post #11 of 33
9/16/08 at 12:28am
Right now I have a large Monet print. Not exactly sure the name of this painting but its obviously a scene from Venice. I'm not hanging it over the fireplace at our new house. There is a beautiful old mirror already there, and I like it better than the Monet.
post #12 of 33
9/16/08 at 12:29am
Our "electric" fireplace downstairs has a collection of my husband's boyhood trains arranged on tracks on it and the top of the fireplace is protected by a blanket we got in mexico. Above that there is a framed picture of the Trevi (sp) fountain in Rome. The downstairs is really the only part of the house my husband has full control of as far as decorating and he did a pretty good job.
post #13 of 33
9/16/08 at 2:13am
vm9799 - I was so excited to see your house. I knew, from the stylin' mamas thread, that we had similar tastes! Your style is more mdern, though. I call mine "formal country", LOL.

Back to the OP - In the formal living rom, I have a floor to ceiling brick fireplace with heavy wooden mantle. Above it is a single, large print of tulips, accented by a light (set into the celing). The frame is leaning on the mantle because I didn't want to fuss with the brick. In the family room, there is a white mantle with a circular iron piece on the wall (about 30" diameter). It will soon be switced with a large (at least 24 x 30) family picture.

I much prefer a large piece rather than multiple smaller pieces.
post #14 of 33
9/16/08 at 2:43am
Family pictures on the mantle, a Gustav Klimt print hanging on the wall above the mantle.
post #15 of 33
9/16/08 at 3:07pm
We have a brick fireplace with a white mantel. On the mantel we have: a folk style painting by a friend of my mother's in yellows, blues and browns (these are the colors for the whole first floor of our house and we chose the paint colors to compliment this painting), three blue candles in glass holders, a set of bells purchased in China when we adopted DS, and a redware (brown in color) pitcher with brown sticks for height.
post #16 of 33
9/16/08 at 9:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAHDS View Post
vm9799 - I was so excited to see your house. I knew, from the stylin' mamas thread, that we had similar tastes! Your style is more mdern, though. I call mine "formal country", LOL.

Back to the OP - In the formal living rom, I have a floor to ceiling brick fireplace with heavy wooden mantle. Above it is a single, large print of tulips, accented by a light (set into the celing). The frame is leaning on the mantle because I didn't want to fuss with the brick. In the family room, there is a white mantle with a circular iron piece on the wall (about 30" diameter). It will soon be switced with a large (at least 24 x 30) family picture.

I much prefer a large piece rather than multiple smaller pieces.

thank you SAHDS! yeah, we lean a bit toward the modern side of traditional. and i really love mid-century modern design. aaaah, to dream! lol!
post #17 of 33
9/18/08 at 12:59pm
We do not have a fireplace currently, but I always love a large mirror hanging over the mantle.
post #18 of 33
9/19/08 at 2:43pm
I'll have to take a pic later, but right now-
a large mirror with a brown, metal frame
a mantle clock in the middle
on the right side a large glass cylindrical vase with long brown branches
on the left side a white compote

Since it's september, I just put indian corn on it
post #19 of 33
9/21/08 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the responses.

I wonder if mine is too busy? I have several framed pictures, a plant and a couple of pillar candles, and then there's a painting above it.

I wish I could get some people who are good at decorating to come over and give me advice! Sometimes I get so used to what I have currently that it's difficult to change.
post #20 of 33
9/22/08 at 12:21am
We are closing on our new home tomorrow and it has a fireplace, so I'm watching this thread a bit.

My idea is to hang a seasonal wreath over it, changing it with each season. Then maybe a candle or two on the mantle.

Another idea would be a mirror to reflect more light into the space. You could pair it with some mini topiaries or other things special to you.
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