I’ve discovered that I have a favorite “recipe” for decorating my fireplace for spring that I use over and over again. I love to use some variation of each one of the “ingredients” every year!
#1: A Backdrop – Not Just The Wall
This pretty much applies to my fireplace year round, not just in the spring. But, nevertheless, it’s what I start with. My backdrop consists of 3 things:
- a neutral color palette – this allows me to use any color that I choose for the accessories
- a tall element in the center – great for giving more presence to wreaths, art, etc.
- a pair of shutters, one for each side of the mantel – to extend the visual width of the wall above the mantel
If you missed it, make sure to read my post, The Secret To A Pulled Together Room And How To Achieve It, and you’ll understand just why having a backdrop is so important.
#2: Greenery Or Flowers – Think Outside Of The Box
There are so many ways to incorporate greenery and/or flowers – and it doesn’t just have to be some greenery in a pot! Some of my tricks:
- loading up a burlap tote with several bushes of artificial tulips that were recycled from a spring centerpiece
- filling a large dough bowl with greenery covered orbs
- placing faux boxwood orbs, instead of candles, atop chunky candlesticks.
#3: Texture Baby
Texture can be added with baskets, flowers and plants, branches, etc. Even the louvered shutters, that are a part of my backdrop, provide texture.
#4: Porcelain Or Crockery Containers
This is another element to fireplace decorating that you’ll find me using year round. I especially love thick, chunky, heavy pieces of crockery as opposed to delicate porcelain pieces.
#5: Just A Little Bit Of Color
Adding the color green for spring decorating kind of goes without saying, but my other favorite color to use in the spring is a soft shade of blue. It’s difficult to see in this picture, but I carried a bit of that same soft shade of blue from the hearth up to the mantel, by placing a blue candlestick inside the tall lantern.
So, tell me – do you have a favorite decorating “recipe” that you like to use? What’s your most used “ingredient”?
Sharing at THESE great parties.
Anne Marie says
Great recipe!!!
mattsgramma says
Love your touches of greenery, it add so much!
Susan says
Your mantle is so pretty; especially love that wooden bowl!
Lauren says
Very homey and welcoming!!!!! Beautiful!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Your house makes me sigh and relax at the same time. It certainly feels like a happy home. Love your style.
Cathy says
I love the way you reuse items throughout your house and add something simple like a orb or plant.
Charlene says
What is your wall color. I love your mantel .
Linda says
Greenery adds so much this time of year!! I love your mantel.
Phyl says
Move the mantel. I just bought a dough howl and I have so many places that I want to put it. Greenery looks good in it.
Shelley says
Love your decor! My husband just brought home a metal bowl (he actually found on the side of the road!) that is shaped like the one you have on your mantel with the orbs in it. I’m going to go get some of those orbs today!
Carol Elkins says
I love your mantel and the way you decorate it for every season! Thanks for sharing your great tips!
Erin says
My permanent mantle decor is a large grapevine wreath that I decorate according to the season… All else is according to whim.
I enjoy the beauty you create. May I ask where you purchased your shades?
Suzy says
Hi Erin. I purchased my shades at Home Depot. Here’s the link to them: http://fave.co/1V3n3rS . They come in all different widths.
Erin says
Thank you. Enjoy your weekend!
Sheila says
Your pictures, of your home, are so inspiring.
You make me want to stop looking at all the beautiful pictures and get off my couch and start decorating!
It seems I have most of the pieces of great decorating but loggy gag about doing the decorating!
Paula says
I agree with all the other comments. The wreath over the mantel, is that real magnolia leafs or faux?
Suzy says
Hi Paula. The wreath over the mantel is faux. 😀
Melanie says
Great job in your Spring mantel! I love the magnolia leaf wreath, chunky candlesticks, and wooden bowl.
Christi Sherrill says
Love all of your ideas and your beautiful home! Thanks for the tips!
Pam Ballard says
I love all the greenery and how bright it is with the windows open. So inviting. Thanks again for all the inspiration.
Kelly Middleton says
Simple yet elegant!
Mary says
It’s all great tips! I need to remember to add texture. It all looks so fresh
Janet Vinyard says
Hi Suzy, What a lovely room! Love the colors you chose as well as the decorative items! Well done! Blessings, Janet
Shawn says
Love the Wreath!
Bonnie says
Those are all great ideas! I really like the lantern with the blue candle inside.
Julie B. says
Lovely. I really like both mantels you have pictured. Light and airy!
Kristi says
Love the shutters!!!
Debbie says
Love the use of shutters. I use old chipped shutters all the time. They bring needed height and roughs up some of the “pretty” pieces I use so it isn’t too cute or fussy.
Love all your posts and ideas.
Carol ("Mimi") says
Gorgeous! I love that you include the hearth in your mantel decorating scheme. Your vaulted ceiling and high windows add to the drama of your mantel and fireplace area. I love that you’ve chosen décor pieces that fit with the large scale of that wall. It’s really so effective!
Beverly says
Your mantel is so lovely and so is the rest of your room. So cozy and warm.
Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things. Hope you come back next week so I can stop by again.
Bev
Nicole says
Your home and mantel are so beautiful. I love how you have decorated them for spring. Thank you for sharing your helpful tips at the #HomeMattersParty
Judy says
Gorgeous home and a gorgeous mantle. Your rooms are always stunning. I will be featuring this tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Bev says
I have always loved to use green in the spring on my mantel, but I love your little touch of blue.
Leah says
Can you tell me where I can purchase the center wood and iron piece you used on the mantel, it’s so beautiful.
Suzy says
Hi Leah. You can find the information that you’re looking for in this blog post: http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/the-things-that-i-get-asked-about-the-most-and-where-to-get-them/
Margie R Hindman says
I love the mantel with iron and wood frame , lantern letter H, Orb and vase. Where can I purchase these items
Suzy says
Hi Margie. You can find where to purchase the iron and wood frame in this blog post: http://www.worthingcourtblog.com/shopping-guide-to-worthing-court/ . The orb was purchased at West Elm (I don’t believe that they carry it any longer), both vases were purchased at TJ Maxx and the letter H was purchased at a local shop, but you can probably find them on Amazon.
Angelina says
Where is your wreath from? Im obsessed with it!
Angelina Albert says
And the candle holders on each end of the mantel 🙂 I’ve been looking for something chunky like that and have been unable to find exactly what I’m looking for!
Suzy says
I love those chunky candle holders too! I found them at Pottery Barn. 😀
Suzy says
Hi Angelina. My magnolia wreath came from Magnolia Market. Here’s a link to it: https://shop.magnoliamarket.com/products/faux-magnolia-wreath
Leah says
Where can I purchase the wood and iron frame?
Suzy says
I purchased this from Kirklands several years ago, but I don’t believe it’s available any longer.