My Mantle Inspiration Frustration

Hmmm where to start...  We have been in our current home almost 21/2 years!  It truly is amazing at how time flies.  I was not thrilled with the fireplace and mantle when we moved in and continue to loathe  feel the need to make changes to it every time I walk past it.  Which by the way is about a hundred times a day depending on the day of the week. Anyway, my goal is to reenergize the mantle as CHEAP  thrifty as possible!  I seriously stare at this mantle every day and can not get inspired!  No matter the different season and the decorations they bring, I still go back to my boring mantle.  Symmetrical? Asymmetrical? Mirror? Art? And it infuriates me that its design evades me!  So what do we do now when desperate for answers, Google.  When all else fails copy be inspired by others!

Love this! May I have the entire room please? 

An article I found on the subject:


Whether your mantle is large or small, fancy or plain, there are a few key basics you must keep in mind when choosing decorations.
Balance – The fireplace mantle is more often than not, the focal point of a room. Find a good mix of both large and small items to place on your mantle to create a balanced look.

Mantle Size – Choose items that are proportionate to the size of your mantle. Very small items will virtually disappear on larger mantles and very big items will look out of place on smaller mantles.

Overall Room Décor – If the room in which the fireplace exists is decorated in an Art Deco style, you don't want to place Victorian style antiques on your mantle, they will look out of place and throw the entire look and feel of the room off completely.

Number of Items – You may want to display 100s of your favorite things on your mantle but please, resist the urge. The beauty of each individual item will get lost in the clutter, not to mention, the overall look will be messy and disorganized" (LoveToKnow).

The rule of thumb when grouping accessories is to work in odd numbers. On a relatively narrow space like a mantle, that will likely limit your accessories to groups of three or five. Group similar accessories together rather than spacing them out across the length of the mantle. This way, they will have more impact and a more artful appearance.

Fight the temptation to fill up every inch of space on your mantle. One of the most important rules in design and decor is to edit yourself. Leaving some blank space is a good thing! Not only will this keep your mantle from looking cluttered and unfocused, it will allow the eye to appreciate what is displayed. If you have too many items to choose from, consider changing your accessories out periodically so that you can enjoy all of them, just not all at the same time.

Candles are a great accessory for a mantle, and they have even more impact when they are placed in eye-catching candle holders. Try using glass holders in varying sizes and shapes.

The use of sculptures can give dimension, and adds to the overall visual interest of your space. For an eclectic look, use a mixture of different elements in varying textures to decorate your mantle. Combine sculptures with framed pieces and add grasses in woven containers. For a traditional look, try topiary or vases filled with flowers on either end of the mantle with a round clock in the center. If your style is more modern, decorate with vases of different heights and shapes that are painted in the same color.

Remember that accessories on one side of the mantel do not have to mirror what is on the other side. As long as the visual weight is equal, the groupings will work

Read more: Great Ideas for Decorating a Mantle | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5132452_great-ideas-decorating-mantle.html#ixzz1DTvF0yoY