Client Project: New York, New York: Mantles that Work

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Client Project: New York, New York: Mantles that Work

Remember my client, New York, New York???


Did you think I gave up on the project?
I have to confess it might have been easier to level
the entire house instead of piecing together 
the intensive remodel that we have almost pulled off!


Another sneak peek up top at a cool feature-


T vs. NY, NY: The Transitional mantle


Here's the before:

The "After" mantle is drool worthy...


Now that the mantle is in... what do to next?


Here are some pointers to take yours from
"Bare to There":


Mantles -- The "eye catcher" of your home and place 
you can be most creative! Do you ever get stuck and 
not know what to do on this "stunning" location?

Here are a few tips to help out!

1. Add a different shaped mirror centered above the mantle to 
add a different element to a symmetrical room. Add your own “finds” in 
vases on the mantle – kids pick you a pretty flower? Add that to a vase!

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2. Frame out an area above your mantle and paint the area inside 
a complementary color to the room! Make this area special by adding
same size frames spaced throughout. I love how this picture shows a 
tall vase with small branches reaching to create height.
 It makes the pictures seem to be in the background, but they add so much!

3. This mantle comes to us from Sweet Something Designs: 
 She flanks both sides with tall vases that hold a mix of branches and 
 green/white accents. I LOVE the symmetry of this pieces.

I just liked this image 

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4. Paint! Paint your mantle and the space above the mantle to 
create a focal point of the room. Base the color of the paint on
something from the room, like this space, the grey/blue hue comes 
from the stone surround of the fireplace.

5. Want to be BRAVE?? Well this is an inexpensive alternative to an 
actual piece above the mantle…find a decal that you love and fits your space. 
They offer these at Target, and lots of online stores!

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6. Layering – In this room, the fireplace really contrasts with the rest of the 
 room as it is color-filled and unique. These black and white photos framed 
in a simple white frame and layered on top of each other is a great contrast.

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7. This sculptural symmetry is great! As BHG puts it in these next two photos: 
Start with a large object in the center (here, driftwood), then place pairs of 
objects on either side. They don’t have to be identical, just related. 
For example, two different terra-cotta pots still look like they belong together. 
Symmetry doesn’t have to mean stiff —
the organic shapes of branches and seedpods keep this arrangement casual.

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8. An asymmetrical arrangement harmonizes objects of different shapes and sizes. 
 Balance a tall, large object with several smaller ones, but not too small — 
 mantles swallow up dinky accessories. 
A similar color palette gives unrelated objects a theme. 
Shop your house or discount stores for items in the same color family. 
You can’t miss with pitchers, plates, books, and pottery.

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9. A homemade mantle. Go outside and grab a few leaves and 
branches to sit in a vase, a few pine cones and an old barn door to 
make a backdrop for this fall mantlescape.

10. Stair step thicker objects and place a surprising thin, tall piece at the end. 

This harmonizes the setting as a whole, but leaves

 the asymmetrical look in place.

11. Minimalistic – There is always something elegant and striking
 about a simplistic design. Don’t be afraid to “not clutter”. 
 This is a good lesson to learn!

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12. A great modern fireplace approach! Granted…most of our homes don’t 
look like this, but who’s to say they can’t?! Again, we have layering of
 different sizes and shapes of pictures frames, bringing the largest to the 
front and smaller to the back. But the fireplace design as a whole….
a concealed firebox that doesn’t continue to the floor, 
without a hearth and a simple wood block as a mantle. Great.


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13. Different panes – think of the decor on different “panes” as if you 
were walking straight, you would come first to the first pane, then run into the 
2nd and so forth. A great idea for a deep mantle. 
On the back pane we have a simple repetition of framed images 
which is simplistic enough to set as the “back level”. On the front pane 
use different mediums and materials in the items you choose.

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14. Here is a second image to echo what the last image shown. 
Several levels throughout. To add something different, use oversized vases 
to less than overpower the large framed art or mirror behind.

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So much more to show you of the showpiece of New York, New York.
Carpet installed tomorrow... whoop, whoop!
We are almost there!

Until Next Time,