lisalovesquilts Some lovely mantles. I particularly liked the first one. I think re-dressing the mantle after Christmas is a great idea. I often find the house a little lacklustre after the holidays so some fresh flowers for me. Nice article.

A. Peltier Interiors Those first two images were amazing! especially the pink flowers, so beautiful!

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. I agree A. Peltier, beautiful!

urbnskp1 In my home here shown .. I love something other than the expected mirror ...love the ideas!

ceejo Since we have alot of snow on the ground, I decided to keep that theme for the month of January on the mantle. I have clear candle holders with white candles, white trees, and some clear snowmen that I just love. Then I've hung some 3-D snowflakes on hooks under the mantle to finish it off.

embracegrace We have a 14" ceiling in our great room. Our fireplace mantle is fairly tall (just over 6'), but we still had a lot of wall to cover. We had our carpenter put up a prairie grid to match our windows, and after we got settled in, we added a 36" x 24" family photo. I love how it turned out.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi urbnskp1. Wow that's dramatic! I really do love the look of painted brick. You've taken a classic concept and really modernized it. I have to say, I like the drama of the black and white palette. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Charmean Neithart

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi embracegrace. Yes, high ceilings can be a challenge. Looks like you pulled it off, the molding idea was a good one and it worked well. Thank you for sharing. I greatly appreciate your input. Charmean Neithart

garydean Good timing and great variety! Thanks.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi garydean. Great, that is what I was hoping. Thank you for reading and your input. Charmean Neithart

alwilson1020 I really like the different mantle decorating ideas, but all of these fireplaces are flush on a single wall. I struggle with my mantle decor because my fireplace is two-sided in the corner of our family room. Symmetrical decor doesn't seem to work quite right. Any ideas on that? I will upload a picture tonight when I get home from work.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi alwilson1020. I would love to see pictures, I'm sure I can think of something. Will wait for your pictures to post. Charmean

andhorme What about brick fireplaces? We tried a large canvas print but it got lost in the Brick. Here's our "Christmas" space. Bare space over mantle needs love!

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi andhorme. Consider a piece of art or mirror framed in black. You need a high contrast against the brick, black will do the trick.


Hope that helps. Charmean

jmr790 Hi Charmean - I love some of these ideas. While I wish that I had a grand stone fireplace with a large, distressed cedar mantel, alas, I have a plain and slightly rusted (from some old roof leaks) wood-burning, non-masonry fireplace insert. It has a cultured "marble" facing installed flush around the fireplace. It has no mantel. In front of it is a step-up hearth about six inches high and eight feet wide - also covered with "marble". My plan is to rip off the marble, tear out the step-up hearth, replace the fireplace, install a stone hearth more or less flush with the flooring and then to install a mantel. Have you done any fireplace makeovers like this? Any suggestions you could offer for fixing this eyesore would be much appreciated!

INSIDEOUT Modern and Traditional Happy 2013! This mantle went from Woodland Glam for Christmas to Artsy Rustic for the SoCal winter. Best, Diane INSIDEOUT Modern and Traditional

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Thanks Diane for sharing your pictures.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi jmr790. First step is to find out what the codes are in your area. Usually there is a minimum for non-combustible material on the surround and hearth. Follow codes and use licensed contractors. I like your idea of a flush hearth. My personal preference is for a flush hearth because it affords more options for furniture arranging. Consider the style of your home when choosing materials. Is it traditional, rustic, or modern...then try to find a material that supports the style of your home and fits within your budget. Mantels don't have to be elaborate. Here are some pictures of simple, but good design...
Hamptons Beach-house
Hollywood Hills Home
Woodmeister Master Builders - WestWind
Living Room

I'm a big fan of stone and brick on fireplaces. These materials are cost effective and durable. They work with many different styles. Try to find a material that is a similar scale to your room. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have further questions. Thank you for your input.
Charmean Neithart

A & D Glass Inc. I'm always a little blue after the holidays, and taking away my lights just makes it worse. So now I keep lights on my mantel and call them my New Year's lights. This year I have a new bronze sculptured tree and I wove them through the branches. I also added white and silver accents to keep it sparkly and bright. Bring on 2013!

bubblyjock Ooh - LOVE this, Charmean! You've pulled together a really diverse variety of styles and ideas - and I think I really like every single one!

CAROLE MEYER Great post. I think mantles are such a focal point and not always so easy to do. I have changed mine a couple of times, but keep going back to this....my favorite. In our other home in San Miguel de Allende....this is what is working for now.....maybe could be better but I can not seem to figure out what else to do!!

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi Carole. I'm so happy to hear from you, Happy New Year! I think your mantel looks great. Is that one of your paintings up there? You make an interesting point. I think it's okay to switch out things regularly on a mantel. Perhaps just think of it as a page in your diary. Moods and interests change, let your mantel reflect those changes. I really like the zig zag rug in front of your fireplace, so sassy! Thanks for dropping by, I always appreciate your comments.
Charmean

rensmith What about very long mantels? Ours covers most of the wall (brick). Need help.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Hi rensmith. Can you post a picture? I'm happy to take a look. Charmean

rensmith Still cleaning up from Christmas - the hearth is a mess, sorry

CAROLE MEYER Hi Charmean.....I just love to change things around and a mantle is such a good place to make a change depending on a persons mood etc. I notice I did not post any of my San Miguel mantles....oops....so here are two below. Also, YES, the paintings are always mine.

CAROLE MEYER Hi Charmean! Happy New Year to you too! The paintings in our homes are always mine because it is a good way for me to show my clients a painting "on location" and with lighting. I have posted photos below of our San Miguel de Allende home and two of the mantles there. By the way.....you have great ideas which inspire me!!

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Gorgeous Carole. I particularly like the angel with wings on the mantel. Isn't there a word for that type of sculpture in Spanish? I used to know that word and now I have forgotten it. You're paintings are just beautiful. Best! Charmean

pgiidzyner We moved into this 1958 renovated house recently that has a gorgeous fireplace in the living room with post-modern stone work design and a built-in shelf off to one side. I'm at a loss as to the best way to decorate this very asymmetrical space without cluttering it up.

Within the mantel are 2 fluorescent light tubes that really suck the warmth out of the stone. I've considered finding warmer hued slips to cover the tubes but I'm open to suggestions.

pencil56 Hi Charmean.
I have a challenge figuring out what to do with my mantle. The fireplace was a white porous material that we finished with venetian plaster colored almost the same as the walls becasue we weren't sure about using a contrasting color. Now I don't know what to do to. We put up an old mirror and placed a few things there temporarily. Can you help?

lkenn I am looking for advice on my mantel area - should I hang this painting or leave it free-standing. Also, any other tips or ideas are appreciated. Thank you