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Building Liner Ponds
Surprisingly enough, it is usually in mid-summer that many gardeners begin to think about installing a small pond or water garden. Ponds don't need to be weeded or watered, and they can supply exuberant color in the form of water lilies and bog...
Horticultural Therapy
Horticultural Therapy Thomas Ogren The idea of using gardens and plants as “tools” for therapy is growing fast these days. Makes perfect sense, too. There is a great deal of evidence that working in gardens is wonderful for our mental health. ...
Landscaping For Winter Fuel Saving
September 2005 Windbreaks - Breakup the Cold Winds of Winter
Landscaping For Winter Fuel Saving Evergreens of Highland Hill
Farm This Saturday and Sunday will be a Crazy Weekend Greetings!
In the past week there has been an increasing...
Tips For Preparing a Planting Bed
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, ...
Working with Landscape Contractors
Having a beautiful and functional landscape is every homeowners dream. Hi, My name is John C Wilkes III and I have worked in the landscaping industry for over a decade. I achieved my degree in Landscape Architecture and went straight into the design...
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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.
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