Mantlescapes

The fireplace is almost always the natural focal point of any room.  Decorating the mantle is a great way to play up the features of your fireplace.  There are many ways to decorate a mantel the key is to make it your own.  In the pictures below I have taken accessories around the house that are different shapes, sizes and textures to pull together for  a complete look.

Symmetry vs Asymmetry in mantle displays.  Symmetry generally denotes a more formal feel while asymmetry is more relaxed.  If the room is formal, symmetrical displays will work best, but as in the case below symmetry was used in a casual setting.  Feel free to break the basic rules and be creative.

The mantle below was based off the piece of two pieces of art that were once hanging on the wall.  Layering the pieces creates a dimensional look that is more interesting the leaning a piece flat against the wall. Next, I added candlesticks with moss decorative balls for height and texture on the mantle.  Books were used as filler and pieces that tell a little about the interest of the homeowner. 

Four things to consider when decorating your mantel are as follows:
1. Keep your mantel from looking disjointed by using complimentary colors .
2.  Odds trump evens when styling a mantel.
3. Consider the theme and feel of the room.
4. Vary the shapes and sizes of the vignettes.

Turn A New Page

 Sometimes looking for a design inspiration means looking no further than your mailbox, stuffed with decorating catalogs that promise to make your home a wall-to-wall showcase.  But even if your dream room is right there on page 57, getting it into your home isn't always easy or ideal.  It can be expensive to pay for every detail, and you run the risk that someone you know may have the exact same "unique" design in their home.  So look to those catalog pictures as a guide you can adapt to your own style.

 In this case, an antique door -- discovered for $25-- sets the backdrop for the arrangement.  You could  pay up to $100 for a catalog version of a stylish shabby burlap tablecloth, or buy it yourself for about 3 dollars a yard.  This homemade version took just three yards that were washed and dried, and the  frayed beautifully in the process.

The coffee table shows how to turn the expected upside down - it holds a $7 wall shelf that takes on a new look and purpose when flipped over.   Below, on the table , old boxes found at antique stores showcase special books and serves double-duty as risers for other decorations.  

Taken as a whole,  this approach mirrors catalog ideas, for a price that may be less than one or two things you'd order - with no added on shipping costs.  In the end, the dream room will look like that design on page 57, only better because this one is all yours.

2011 Spring Home Decor Trends Straight from the Fashion Runway

Fashion trends are flowing right into our home decor.  In fact,  it's the "IN" thing to take the latest fashion trends and turn them into funky fun chic home decor.  So if your bored with your same old dreary home decor,  let's take it up a notch and get inspiration from the runway.

 Spring/Summer 2011 hottest fashion trends tend to lend themselves to the following:

1. Lace
2. Floral prints
3. Animal prints
4. Cowboy Fringe
5. Bright and Bold Colors
6. Pure White
7. Minimalism

So the big question is how to take these trends and put them in your home?

Lets start with color.  The "IN" color you must make a point to use is Yellow, Orange, Turquoise, or Blue. Any one of these colors can be added as an accent and make a huge impact.  On this  dining room tablescape , we added a pop of yellow and orange with small vases of flowers.  Next we added the pure white bunny and  finished it off with a  table topper made of  fringed burlap fabric.  We have added four  small elements to keep the home looking as trendy  as the catwalks  in Paris.