Sad Mantle
Vera M
6 years ago
Colonial home, traditional decor. I have no clue how to decorate the mantle in my 2 story family room, because there is a window above it (pic attached). Any thoughts? TIA.
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Comments (27)Hi mv5869 Thanks for taking the time to offer your suggestions. As it happens I have replaced the fireplace. I am very grateful for all the suggestions people made and they gave me lots of food for thought. I was going to post a photo to show everyone who commented the "after" pictures but was waiting for it to be completely finished so you could see the full effect. I seriously considered a reclaimed Victorian surround and insert but in the end I decided it just wasn't what I wanted. I called in a local specialist and he built me a fireplace with a Bath stone surround and black slate slips and hearth. We in put a gas insert fire. I absolutely love it. The natural materials are gorgeous and in my opinion the design is contemporary but classic. I can turn the fire on when I get in from work (usually late) and I really enjoy the fire every day at the moment. It wasn't a cheap solution but after years of fretting about this I have exactly what I wanted. I will try and add a link to the specialist in a minute. As you can see I took up the carpet and sanded down and varnished the original boards. A few boards needed replacing but a local reclamation yard was able to supply reclaimed boards. The pine came up quite bright but I like it! I also had bookshelves built in on the right and painted white. Thanks so much for suggesting this it looks amazing. I am in the process of reinstating some of my possessions but trying to be selective about what I put back. It just takes time to sort it all out. I went for what I thought was a neutral colour on the walls but it turned out to have a slight orangey tint. I am happy with it. The new sofas are orange so I haven't lost my strong colours altogether! there will be a rug as well so when it is all in place I will post another picture of the finished effect. Tim Davis Stone and Fire...See MoreWhat would you do with this off-centre fireplace?
Comments (63)HI Sarah I love what you have achieved. Many congrats for embracing what you have and creating something that totally enhances the placement of the fireplace. The space looks like it was made for the placement of that perfect chair and you've done a gorgeous job with your selection and placement of art . I am moving with considerable grief from my gorgeous arts and crafts bungalow to an early1970s small house. I have to say this style of architecture in NZ wasnt exactly a highlight. But I set myself a challange to embrace the architecture and look to enhance rather than fight it . That challenge shifted me off my despair track and now I am excited and hopeful and thinking about space and colour and the amazing light pouring in (a quality of houses of this time)..and textures . i feel so cteative in new and diffetent ways...and it's so exciting. seeing what you have achieved - it is very affirming for me I love what you have created....See MoreI finished a room! Clutter and colour issues?
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Comments (4)Going for a white sofa would help create a light and airy living room. The white sofa would match the airy elements you already have in the room: the light pastel wallpaper and blue chimney heart, the white skirting, the light coloured wooden flooring. The black of the fireplace hearth can be tied together with details like black legs for the white sofa, black legs (maybe hair pin legs) for a white coffee table or for a cabinet (cabinets with legs look very smart: https://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/legs-for-days). Black cross legged lounge chair & ottoman in a navy blue would match the navy curtains. See through furniture helps for an uncluttered feel: transparent chairs, glass table, thin furniture legs, x leg ottomans. The window coverings also have to be in light materials. Consider introducing flowy sheer fabric with or instead of the navy curtains. White or light pastel coloured area rugs in the room and avoid choosing area rugs featuring heavy and busy patterns. Braided area rugs in pastel and light colors also make a good selection. Some pictures below:...See More
chickadee70
6 years ago
Would you be able to consider removing (walling inside and new siding outside) those two upper windows in line above the mantle?
PROFlo Mangan
6 years ago
Donald
6 years agoI’ve attached an example, not a perfect one but just to illustrate my idea. I’d buy or have made a stained glass piece to hang in that window with an equal amount of space on each side between the piece and the window frame. It would both filter beautiful light in and act as a picture above the mantle, and then maybe 3 clear or milky glass vases or objects to display in front.
Susan Davis
6 years agoPowered solar shades in all the windows if sun control needed. Long curtain panels on the side windows.
A possibility is an architectural salvage type item between the two windows directly over the fireplace then possibly plants on either side of fireplace in summer and wood logs in baskets on hearth in winter.
Thinking something like item shown over the door.
Wrought iron horizontal piece
Pieces of old structures
Wood pillars from India hung horizontally instead of vertically
Large scale items but a lot of possibilities.
silviakunst
6 years ago
acm
6 years ago
grapefruit1_ar
6 years ago
PROEuropean Marble & Granite
6 years agoVera M
6 years agoI've read all the suggestions and questions. First, it is a gas fireplace (thus no chimney). I do not want or need to cover the windows. This wall of windows gets all the oohs and ahhhs in my home. There is nothing special about the view, so I planted tall plants in front of the lower windows to make it semi private without obstructing natural light. I love the windows. I get to feel like I'm right under the sky every day, whether or not I get outdoors. (Daytime pic attached.)
Totally agree that less is more. The "decorations" we're just thrown up there; I know they won't do. LOL. Love the idea of handing a stained glass pic in front of the window above the mantle. Might feel better about a bare mantle with that done. Otherwise, multi height pillars/vases/candles or something clustered together on each side of the mantle.
I also thought, perhaps, wooden shutters on the window (decorative, not functioning). Maybe a kind of shabby type on ea. end of the window ledge (the ledge is fairly deep).
Thank you all so much for your input! You have given me wonderful suggestions. (Feel free to keep them coming.). Now I at least have a starting point and some actual ideas to kick around. Thank you again.
maria
6 years agomaria
6 years agoptreckel
6 years agoVera M
6 years ago
decoenthusiaste