If you have been one of my readers since the beginning, you'll notice that I first posted this in 2008. I thought it would be a nice repost for all of the new readers who have just recently found their way to my blog or may have missed it.
There's something about a new season or special holiday that just begs for special decoration for your home, but who has the money these days to spend on something elaborate or expensive? You can turn your plain fireplace mantle into a magnificent focal point of your room.
You really don't need to spend a lot of time to create a decorative motif for your mantle. Here are some ideas for pretty, simple, and inexpensive decorated mantles just perfect for your special fall or Thanksgiving party, and you will be able to enjoy them long after your guests have left.
Start with leaves, pine cones, and twigs you can pick up around the yard or in a park. Then add interesting gourds, Indian corn, and colorful mini-pumpkins. You can even add a decorative glass jar filled with candy corn or those little candy pumpkins, for Christmas use these same jars and fill them with small pine cones or pine needles. Finish off your display with brass, wood, or silver candle holders and candles in fall colors. Voila! You have a sensational seasonal decoration.
For a garland and mini pumpkin arrangement you will need the following:
5-9 mini pumpkins or gourds
1 or 2 artificial fall leaf garlands
pillar or taper candles and candlesticks or hurricane lamps
Purchase a silk leaf garland in your choice of gold, green, red, brown, and even deep purple. Lay the garland on the mantle. Use two garlands if desired, for added color or for additional length.
Next, line up the mini-pumpkins or gourds, evenly spaced all along the mantle. If you're not fond of the traditional orange pumpkins, try replacing them with little white ones or use green and yellow gourds instead. For an extra elegant look, try applying gold or silver leaf to the pumpkins.
Be sure to place circles of plastic (I use either old butter dish lids or just plastic wrap) under any items that may decay, such as pumpkins or fruit.
Decorate the center or ends of the mantle with several pillar or taper candles in seasonal colors.
This fall arrangement is long lasting and simple:
Collect some artificial fruit and set them on a variety of lifts and levels using vases, compotes, glasses, or other decorative containers. Beaded fruit, silver compotes, and glass vases are beautiful, but you might also do a rustic themed mantle using artificial reeded fruit and wood levels.
Heights and Levels Thanksgiving Mantle Decor
9 artificial or beaded fruits
vases, compotes, glasses
topiaries or plants
natural twigs
Arrange fruits in three groups of three (groups of three is the rule when decorating a mantle), using the vases and compotes to lift each piece to a variety of heights.
Place topiaries or potted plants between the groups, accenting the greenery with a handful of red twigs gathered from the yard.
Some other ideas for your fireplace mantle are:
Candles of various sizes in groupings either on one side or both
Place a beautifully designed clear bowl filled with potpourri on your mantle. In addition to the beautiful accent, it will fill your room with a wonderful, inviting fragrance.
Mirrors are always a hit when it comes to fireplace mantles. Depending on the style of mantle you have, you can hang a large, ornate mirror for a look of sophistication and elegance or plain, tilted mirrors for a more contemporary look.
When it comes to decorating fireplace mantles, it is far better to use objects that are over-scaled than under-scaled. You want your mantle to provide a bold, impressive appearance. Smaller objects and paintings will be dwarfed in scale to the fireplace and draw attention for all the wrong reasons.
If you have collections, such as figurines, small boxes, or crystal pieces, the fireplace mantle is the perfect place to display them
Hang a beautiful wreath that enhances the color or style of your room above the mantle or display flowers using a couple of decorative vases. Since the heat of the fire can affect fresh-cut flowers, display these during the months when you are not using your fireplace and silk flowers when you are.
Remember, your fireplace mantle is the first thing a person will see when they enter your room. Try several of these suggestions or use your creativity and come up with some ideas of your own. The great thing about a fireplace mantle is that you can change the way it looks at any time. During the holiday seasons, use your fireplace mantle to set a festive atmosphere. If you are entertaining a special guest, change the look to one more on the romantic side. Regardless of the occasion, when you find the perfect combination, your mantle will look beautiful and you will enjoy your fireplace even more!
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