My Favorite Common Elements Of A Spring Mantel And Hearth
I’ve discovered that I have a favorite “recipe” for decorating my fireplace for spring that I use over and over again. I love to use some variation of each one of the “ingredients” every year!
#1: A Backdrop – Not Just The Wall
This pretty much applies to my fireplace year round, not just in the spring. But, nevertheless, it’s what I start with. My backdrop consists of 3 things:
- a neutral color palette – this allows me to use any color that I choose for the accessories
- a tall element in the center – great for giving more presence to wreaths, art, etc.
- a pair of shutters, one for each side of the mantel – to extend the visual width of the wall above the mantel
If you missed it, make sure to read my post, The Secret To A Pulled Together Room And How To Achieve It, and you’ll understand just why having a backdrop is so important.
#2: Greenery Or Flowers – Think Outside Of The Box
There are so many ways to incorporate greenery and/or flowers – and it doesn’t just have to be some greenery in a pot! Some of my tricks:
- loading up a burlap tote with several bushes of artificial tulips that were recycled from a spring centerpiece
- filling a large dough bowl with greenery covered orbs
- placing faux boxwood orbs, instead of candles, atop chunky candlesticks.
#3: Texture Baby
Texture can be added with baskets, flowers and plants, branches, etc. Even the louvered shutters, that are a part of my backdrop, provide texture.
#4: Porcelain Or Crockery Containers
This is another element to fireplace decorating that you’ll find me using year round. I especially love thick, chunky, heavy pieces of crockery as opposed to delicate porcelain pieces.
#5: Just A Little Bit Of Color
Adding the color green for spring decorating kind of goes without saying, but my other favorite color to use in the spring is a soft shade of blue. It’s difficult to see in this picture, but I carried a bit of that same soft shade of blue from the hearth up to the mantel, by placing a blue candlestick inside the tall lantern.
So, tell me – do you have a favorite decorating “recipe” that you like to use? What’s your most used “ingredient”?
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Great recipe!!!
Love your touches of greenery, it add so much!
Your mantle is so pretty; especially love that wooden bowl!
Very homey and welcoming!!!!! Beautiful!
Your house makes me sigh and relax at the same time. It certainly feels like a happy home. Love your style.
I love the way you reuse items throughout your house and add something simple like a orb or plant.
What is your wall color. I love your mantel .
Greenery adds so much this time of year!! I love your mantel.
Move the mantel. I just bought a dough howl and I have so many places that I want to put it. Greenery looks good in it.
Love your decor! My husband just brought home a metal bowl (he actually found on the side of the road!) that is shaped like the one you have on your mantel with the orbs in it. I’m going to go get some of those orbs today!
I love your mantel and the way you decorate it for every season! Thanks for sharing your great tips!
My permanent mantle decor is a large grapevine wreath that I decorate according to the season… All else is according to whim.
I enjoy the beauty you create. May I ask where you purchased your shades?
Hi Erin. I purchased my shades at Home Depot. Here’s the link to them: http://fave.co/1V3n3rS . They come in all different widths.
Thank you. Enjoy your weekend!
Your pictures, of your home, are so inspiring.
You make me want to stop looking at all the beautiful pictures and get off my couch and start decorating!
It seems I have most of the pieces of great decorating but loggy gag about doing the decorating!
I agree with all the other comments. The wreath over the mantel, is that real magnolia leafs or faux?
Hi Paula. The wreath over the mantel is faux. 😀
Great job in your Spring mantel! I love the magnolia leaf wreath, chunky candlesticks, and wooden bowl.
Love all of your ideas and your beautiful home! Thanks for the tips!
I love all the greenery and how bright it is with the windows open. So inviting. Thanks again for all the inspiration.
Simple yet elegant!
It’s all great tips! I need to remember to add texture. It all looks so fresh
Hi Suzy, What a lovely room! Love the colors you chose as well as the decorative items! Well done! Blessings, Janet