Fireplace decorative ideas
newtexasmom
HI,I have a very nice fire place in my house but we never use it. I want to rather change its look and feel and decorate it in very nice way that it stands out.I am not able to think of anything to start with as to what i can do with an unfunctional fireplace.
catwoman708
For a classic, traditional look, hang a large mirror, nice painting, or a portrait over the mantle (something large, about the size of the fireplace opening, or two smaller pieces). You can even just prop the pictures up, rather than hang them. On the shelf over the mantle, a mantle clock, floral arrangement, or nice piece of sculpture in the middle, flanked by appropriately scaled candle sticks (but not something so tall it covers up the painting/mirror over the mantle). You can put a decorative screen made of iron or brass in front of the fireplace, or fill in the space with silk plants or various pillar candles (which can be lit on occasion in lieu of a fire). You might place something on the sides of the hearth, like a grouping of various sized vases, decorative baskets, or plants, either on the floor, or on a plant pedestal, or any combination of those items. A nice cozy reading chair, lamp, footstool, and cozy throw would be the perfect compliment when placed near a fireplace.For a more modern look, I would use the fireplace as a backdrop for a few bold artistic pieces with simple lines and colors. Like a piece of smooth, sleek black sculpture, a chrome or nambe silver bowl, a blown glass vase, or asymmetrically placed pillar candles on the shelf, and a large framed poster or piece of modern, contemporary art over the mantle. To the side of the hearth, a tall, smooth floor vase with simple strands of grass in it.Overall, don't put too much on the mantle or surrounding the hearth, keep it simple. The pieces should be big and substantial enough to be clearly seen from across the room. You shouldn't have to squint to see what it is. Anyway, there are tons of options, you have a blank slate. I'd suggest looking at displays in furniture stores, maybe taking a photo of the rest of the room, and look for ideas that go with the styles you already have. You might could even use pieces you already have around the house, things found at flea markets or yard sales, or go check out Hobby Lobby, Garden Ridge, or Michael's, or anywhere that sells home decor. Or you can go to your home page, click on "images" on the search bar, and type in "fireplaces".
catwoman708
P.S. If you can't narrow your choices down to specific items, or a particular "look", you can plan on changing the pieces out periodically, or seasonally. That makes it so much easier for me to decide, as I like soooo many different looks. I'd love to know what style the room is, and what type of look you're going for. I live in Texas too, and was wondering if you have any favorite places you get decor items.
newtexasmom
Hi catwoman708,I do see that you post lots of responses regularly on this forum and it really helps for beginners like me. I live in Katy, TX which is 30miles west of Houston. Where do you live?For now, i do have a more modern look for my family room with pieces resembling more of my Indian Culture. I have a very nice 60 X 40 tapestry from India made with extensive bead, moti and zardosi work representing a very spectacular form of workmanship from India.Also, i have some art poster prints from India which i blew up to 20 X 30 and framed them.You can look at them:Home Decor Items I do search a lot on the web. But some specific items, i do get them from India. The others, i got to the stores like Pier1, Bombay, Garden Ridge, Hobby Lobby, BedBathandBeyond etc.I will send you an updated picture of my family room very soon.
catwoman708
Oh, now I remember! Sorry, I haven't posted much the last month, been out of town a lot, and our internet connection has been acting up. I'm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.I couldn't pull up your picture, but I rember a little from the pictures you posted before. If I remember, you had a group of pictures over the mantle that were great, but I don't remember what else you had on the mantle, or if you ever found any big floor vases for next to the fireplace. I'd suggest you put some large pillar candles inside the fireplace, or one of those iron stands that hold votive candles, and only light them after the kids are in bed or when you have company over. Or put a pretty, decorative fireplace screen over the opening. I'd suggest keeping the artwork over the mantle fairly low, because of your tall ceilings, and put something bold and substantial, but simple on the mantle shelf. It's a matter of personal taste, but I'd put a couple of large candlesticks and/or a plant or flower arrangement, or even a piece of sculpture. Just keep it low enough so you don't cover up the artwork on the wall, and keep it simple and uncluttered.
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