Adorning the Heart of Your Home This Season
It has been said that the fireplace is the heart of the home. If this is true, then the mantle should be the hub of decorating. Accordingly, it is a good idea to pay special attention to it as you begin to adorn your home for the holidays. Knoxville floral designer Samuel Franklin shares expert tips and advice for creating an easy yet sparkling look for this focal point of the seasons decor.
The first step in the decorating process is to get organized and make a plan. In the planning stage, Franklin emphasizes that it is important to take scale, space and safety into consideration. Think about the colors to be used as well as how to attach the piece to the mantle. Planning around the design of the room is another vital element. "I personally think this one factor is key in successfully achieving a finished, professional look. The Christmas decor looks best when aligned in unison with the room decor," Franklin says. Creating a color scheme for decorations that can coexist with the palette of your home should be high on the priority list.
Franklin stresses that it is also important to exercise caution when planning a look for a fireplace mantle. Items that are flammable or non - heat tolerant should be avoided completely. Fresh cut flowers can be a hazard near the fireplace. Be sure to take into consideration the size and weight of mantle decorations. "Always watch the weight of items placed within a garland so that they safely stay where they are intended," he says.
Once the color scheme, size and safety restrictions have been established, it is time to consider which items will be used that you already own and what will need to be purchased. As you begin shopping for festive new items with which to garnish your mantle, keep space allowances in mind. Also remember that everyday pieces that you already have on your mantle can be a great place to start. Mirrors, finials, statuary, vases, candles and lamps work especially well, either centered or flanking the mantle. In many cases, these can be incorporated beautifully into your seasonal decorating. The glittery look of holiday embellishments is often complimented by the simplicity of items that that you already own. The contrast of shiny ornaments and holiday greenery paired with matte finishes on everyday objects adds dimension and depth to the decorated area. Pieces that are normally used in other areas of your home can be moved to the mantle and used in a whole new way for the holidays. Heirloom items add a sentimental touch as well.
As with all types of decorating, trends come and go. Franklin says that it is indeed important to change your style with the trends to a certain degree. Certain fundamentals of holiday style, however, never go out of vogue. "Some elements transcend trends, like an old - world Christmas look of glass ornaments and classic red ribbon," he explains. Trendy pieces can always be packed away as the style changes and then brought back out when those they come back into vogue.
It is essential to find your own unique holiday style. The simplest way to do this is to shop catalogs, magazines and stores in search of what is most appealing to you. Online resources can also be a great help in this process. Another way to define your style is to hire a professional designer to help you discern what will work best for your taste, space and budget. Developing a distinctive approach to holiday decor that fits your home and personality will make the entire decorating process much smoother and more enjoyable.
A little preparation and resourcefulness can go a long way to help you create a dazzling look for your mantle. With these expert guidelines in hand, holiday decorating will be straightforward and stress free, leaving you with plenty of time to sit back, relax and indulge in the pleasures of the season with the ones you love.
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