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Thursday, January 26th, 2017
Uttermost Dining Room Mara Fireplace Screen Candleholder 20179
A fashionably designed mantel is one of the most crucial interior design aspects in a living space. This has the power to draw the eye when a guest enters the room. Much like the rest of your home, the way that you decorate the mantel shows how stylish you really are.
If you’re thinking of updating the mantel in the living room or dining room, then you probably have no idea where to begin. These tips should help you get started –
Learn Balance
An important element of decorating any mantel is balance. This is all about balancing the objects in a space. Make sure that the objects you bring to decorate that space are symmetrical. For homes that have a more conservative and classic look should follow the rules of symmetry to a T. For a more modern approach, though, you can just put in accessories that best fit your personality.
You would also want to pay attention to another element of design – scale. Remember this so that your design pieces will not overwhelm the space. Experiment with different textures, shapes and colors. You might be surprised at how much you would like a bold color or a lofty statement piece.
Layering Is In
In the South, it is common to see stylized fireplace mantels. With more layers that are added, the prettier the finished look becomes.
A famous mantel decorating idea in that area is to layer different sizes of unframed or framed art. These adorn the mantel. Don’t get the idea that all you can do is hanging. You can either hang or you don’t.
If you have to hang a framed piece of art or a photograph, make sure that you don’t do it above eye level. Just hang it a few inches above the mantel as this is the ideal height. Local artwork is a more meaningful mantel accessory. Imagine having a locally painted scene of your city or town hung above your living room mantel. It will surely be a conversation catalyst.
Mirror, Mirror on the Mantel
Another wonderful fireplace mantel designing tip is to hang various shapes and sizes of mirrors instead of the usual one piece. Either way, whether you use a statement piece or a group of mirrors, be sure to make the mantel frame the decorative element.
An antique-looking mirror will surely draw the eye to any impressive living room mantel. Add a more modern approach by installing a metal-framed piece.
Mirrors also help in brightening up a living or dining room.
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Greenery for 2017
A fireplace is often made of hard and heavy materials like stones or bricks so they tend to weigh down a room especially if they are not dressed properly. To break the monotony and dry look that these materials project, then you have to soften them with fluid lines. And what better and easier way to do this than to bring in some potted plants?
Having a pop of green can complement a wide array of designs. Floral arrangements, on the other hand, add a more feminine look.
Artistry Is the Key
Whether you are an art connoisseur or just an admirer of works that are visually pleasing, having an art display is the way to go. You can settle for the gallery wall or you can just have one piece sit atop the mantel. Alternatively, you can also make a strong statement by using a single piece of art which reflects your taste.
Switch Like the Seasons
The mantel can also reflect the current season. Embrace the season by adding flowers when it’s spring and putting a bowl of pinecones during fall.
Remember that the hearth is the focal point of a room so consider which among these decorative elements you will soon put to good use.
Tags: decorating fireplace, decorating fireplaces, fireplace, fireplace decor, fireplace design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Dining Room Design, Interior Design 101, Living Room Design | Comments Off on Fireplace Cozies and How to Make ‘Em
Tuesday, December 27th, 2016
Uttermost Accessories Susana, Candleholders, S2 20182 are a great substitute for traditional flames.
Cultures and humans all over the world have used and loved fireplaces for many centuries. They have traditional uses especially back in the day when they have been literally used to cook food. They are mainly built to give warmth to people during the coldest winter day or night.
A fireplace can also be used as a gathering place for people or relatives who want to bond in the warmth of its glowing light.
So which among these reasons prodded you to research about fireplaces today?
Fireplaces of Antiquity
The ancient fire pit is believed to be the predecessor of modern fireplaces. It sits in the middle of ancient rooms and is used as a meeting place where people also gather to warm themselves. A hole up top provides the needed draft though which smoke escaped.
This ancient fireplace was used for thousands of years but when the two-story architecture became common, another design was needed to accommodate the change. The fireplace was then moved on the walls outside. It was a lot easier to put it there as well as the chimney right off the side of the housing structure.
Prince Rupert, in 1678, designed an improved grate where firewood is supposed to sit. The air could then easily get underneath the pile of fuel. In the 1700s, it was Benjamin Franklin’s turn to improve the fireplace. He called this the Franklin stove. The stove was moved to the center of the home in order to produce more heat. This was made of cast iron, therefore, it radiated heat even long after the fire’s put out.
In 1796, Count Rumsford came up with exciting new design. It was a shallow, tall firebox complete with streamlined throats for an improved way of drawing smoke out. The fireplace was then incorporated as a part of the walls of homes rather than something that’s built outside.
In the 1950s, ranch houses that have central heating turned the fireplace into a decorative part rather than a cooking or heating device.
In the ‘70s, prefabricated fireplaces were manufactured and homeowners rushed to purchase these cheaper versions.
In the ‘80s till the present day, homeowners started to search for wood burners and pellet appliances.
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Your Fireplace: The Center of Attention in Your Home
Visualize your fireplace as a stage where you should showcase your style. Be creative, be bold, and with the right supplies, you should be able to turn even an unused fireplace from being an eyesore to the room’s focal point.
Before you set out to decorate the mantel, be sure to check for broken bricks or cracks. The average cost for repairing a fireplace is around $380. Clean away the ashes and grime.
Your fireplace is the best place to display every little thing from flowers to art. You could also have your personal collection perched on the mantel.
The mantel actually says a lot about your style – whether you’re a minimalist or a lover of ornate things.
The mantel should be considered as a separate piece of furniture. It is similar to the console which can be easily set up as the focal point of a room. Don’t be stuck with the idea that fireplaces are a part of your home’s architecture. Think of it as the possible star of your interior design instead.
A classic way to decorate an unused fireplace is to mimic the look of a working one. Use candles and candle holders in different shapes and sizes. Use a riser to hold the candles above ground. Just be sure to follow fire safety protocol when decorating with candles.
Another decorative option is to put a mirror in that empty space. This should help spread the light in the room. ‘Remember the candle idea? Just add a mirror behind the set candles for a replicated effect.
‘Running out of ideas? Then gather all the books that you collect and have them arranged inside the fireplace. These will surely liven up the room.
Tags: decorating fireplace, decorating fireplaces, designing a fireplace, fireplace, fireplace decor, fireplace design, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Fireplaces: Decorative or Merely Functional?
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