Reader Question:
If you are still offering design help for my mantle I would love some!!! My main issue is scale. The things I buy look huge until I get them up there… I’d also love for it to look less show home and more like a home with 4 kids. I don’t mind showing the phase I’m in- know what I mean? I’ve toyed with the idea of a quote on a chalkboard up there; etc.
I like the picture & boat but that’s about it!
Here is the fireplace today. It looks good, but she is right, it looks more showhome than family home.
The first thing I would want to add would be some color. Nothing screams like a really family lives here than some color in a space. I think you could find some rustic looking shutters, or if you or your husband is handy, they could be built really easily. I would make it pretty large to fill the space (without dimensions, I can’t really give you a specific size, sorry!), I show them here in a tourquise teal color, but anything that catches your eye would work. You don’t have any strong colors to compete with or compliment in this space.
I would then use the shutters as a way to rearrange art on your fireplace mantle. A large family photo would be fun, or a fun piece of art that you really like. I think once you have a large enough focal point on the mantle, the sides will be easier. You can change them up with some seasonal decor, place some larger (11×16) photos here as well.
Other design questions that might inspire you:
Do you have a design question? Need some inspiration? Feel free to email me.
