One of the most common pre-holiday design dilemmas is fireplace decoration. Should it be symmetrical or not, traditional or whimsical, over-the-top or scaled down? Whichever option you choose, make sure your fireplace is show-worthy as so many holiday gatherings focus around it.
Here are some sure-fire tips to make the fireplace the focal point of your holiday decorating this season:
Scale – it is definitely better to use few large decorative items than a dozen smaller ones. Try two large urns filled with seasonal greenery or two large candle holders and a medium sized floral arrangement in the middle. A large mirror or a striking piece of art is a great background for your mantel accessories.
Wood – make sure the inside of your fireplace looks neat and clean – have the wood cut to same length for a neat pile. White birch looks really neat when stashed nicely inside your fireplace or next to it in a cool container – wicker or rattan baskets work well but my favorite are Chinese rice buckets and oversized glazed planters.
Accessories — A fireplace screen is the most important one for safety purposes. With safety in mind, don’t forget about beauty – choose a finish that works with other metal accents in your house. As for fireplace tools – the only one you really need is a good poker. When decorating your mantel, keep in mind that flammable items should stay far away from your fireplace. Keep to items that are made of a metal or glass. A fun way to display ornaments is to put an array of sizes into a large glass container.
Images courtesy of Southern Accents and Centsationalgirl.com.
Olga Adler is an interior designer based in Delray Beach, Florida providing design and decorating services to some of the finest homes in Palm Beach County.
