Fireplace Mantles

2:53 PM

Since we have owned a home, I have longed for a fireplace mantle. To me, mantle decor is seasonal. It changes not necessarily according to the temperature of the weather or the nearest holiday, but by my mood. It's a way to add color and personality into your living room in a relatively inexpensive way. As you can see, there is no right or wrong way to decorate your mantle. It's one area of your house where anything goes.

So here's my issue:

I have shopped until I've dropped, but I feel like nothing I find is "good enough." My mom always says, "if you just buy what you like, you'll find a way to work it in." I don't trust myself. I have such high expectations for my fireplace mantle that I fear the disappointment of it not all coming together like I had in mind. Because of this fear, I have purchased nothing and left Hobby Lobby numerous times with my tail between my legs. Dave's solution: Mount our TV up there... I avoid that conversation like the plague. So today I am looking at other peoples' beautifully decorated fireplace mantles, hoping to find some inspiration. Here are a few that tickled my fancy (I searched "fireplace mantle decorating ideas" on Google images):

feminine and understated

white and whimsical

a layered look

fun and artistic

I'm going ga ga for those hydrangeas...

My favorite Christmas display

So here's my conclusion:

I like piece to tell a story. I like using white with pretty flowers for color. I'm fond of over-sized letters and unique looking candlesticks. I'm thankful Dave is taking me to Dallas in 2 weeks so I can see some different ideas other than wooded words of inspiration like "BELIEVE", "FAMILY", or "PRAY". No offense if those are your decor of choice, but I'm ready to see something refreshing, new, and not so trendy. Wish me luck in these uncharted waters -- I'll be sure to post the finished product soon.