Cara, even tho I usually prefer non-symmetry, in this case I think your window looks best in the center of the mantel. The other things you add can certainly be asymmetrical. I wouldn't use either the wreaths or the flowers.
Church pic is great with this arrangement, is there something else that has the same visual weight that could go opposite?This message has been edited. Last edited by: joyluck,
Lucky
"I have always had an aversion to the concepts of in style and out of style." ~Rose Tarlow
Are the sconces electric or candles?If they are candle sconces,put them on the same side.But if not I would center the arched metal art and place vase/flowers on one side and books on the other.If this was my home Love the Church art by the way.Could keep it on either side.It would look on a pretty easel leaning up there.Or matted and framed to make the picture larger.
I am having the same issues with my mantel look.I've been looking through my inspiration files.I got the art hanging,just cant figure out the rest.Been taking down Christmas decor and placing items in new areas.I am stumped for whatever reason and keep getting side tracked.This message has been edited. Last edited by: jackierenette,
I haven't posted much lately, for various reasons, and I'm definitely challenged by mantels. But this board helped me with mine a few years back, so I thought I would try to play it forward a little bit.
I would definitely center the arched piece, both because of the sconces and the center detailing on your fireplace. I would remove the burlap wreaths; I think they draw the eye downward when you want it to go upward. I like the hydrangeas on the books, at least for now. I love the little church painting, but I'm not so sure about it in this arrangement. I honestly don't think I would use it. In summary, I would center the arch, remove the wreaths and painting, and try to find something to balance the hydrangeas on books for the other side.
I agree with those that say center the iron piece. If the candle sconces are removeable then I think you could do an off center placement of the iron. I also say remove the little wreaths- they are not bringing anything to the vignette.
But wait....another idea now looking back on your first pic, you could take those two wreaths and stack them one on top of each other next to the iron piece that you have off center- space them so there is balance and then maybe you could overlap your church picture on the iron piece....does that make any sense?
Posts: 2638 | Location: Bay Area, Calif. | Registered: Mar 16, 2004
The consensus seems to be that the big arch would be better centered?
That works for me. I will play more tomorrow. I have had the flu for going on almost a month and still trying to recup. So slow going.
Joyluck, so no flowers or wreaths??? Looking for something that might go opposite of the picture. I do have a smaller church picture.
MaryRuth, I see where your going with what you say and that is kind of how I started out. Sometimes I think I over think things. Ideas for right side??
Jackie~The sconces are filled with LED candles that operate on a timer. They could be moved but dh wouldn't be impressed if I suggested yet another hole in the wall, he would have to patch. I tried the picture all different places and nothing seemed to work. I love the church art too. I especially liked that it had the same shaped window as my large piece. Well I guess you and I are stumped together. I also have a pretty picture that has an old farmhouse and barn in it and it is a winter scene with a black frame, but it seems too long and narrow to use.
Annie~ oh yes, that helps tremendously. Do you have something like that for asymmetrical? This really helps and I will be printing and using. Thanks oh so much. Oh I never thought about matting and framing the picture. Good idea.
Nitalynn, you have given me more great food for thought. At least I am become less confused. LOL. Keep ideas coming everyone.
More pics tomorrow after I play again.
Stay tuned and everyone, thanks so much. I think one of my problems is that I like too many styles and I cannot settle on one. I have three mantels in this house and boy, that confuses me.
Someone mentioned greenery and I would agree. Your arched window is open and light in visual weight and you need something lower on the mantel to anchor it. I would embrace the symmetry and place two urns on either side with flowing greenery to give the arrangement some bulk. If it trails over the mantel piece a little, even better.
Sorry I haven't been back. Been busy tweaking a certain mantel. LOL.
Junk collector~I was wondering about some flowing kind of greenery I have in some kind of pot? I don't have ivy or anything already potted but I might be able to cut a piece of some greenery I already have and set it up there. Would that work? I like greenery on a mantel myself and Beau's Rose gave me the idea of topiaries, which I don't have any of those either, but would love to have some. My dh is a gardener of the highest degree so most of our plants are real and outside. LOL. Yes, I drive myself crazy shopping the house, but I have three floors so I am constantly up and down...at 65 that isn't as easy as it once was. Appreciate your help.
Jackie, girl, I love the first pic. I also have a gate piece almost like the one you posted and that gives me good ideas. It will certainly go into my inspirational file. So tell me which do you consider symmetrical and which are asymmetrical in nature? I really am confused by that. The pics are really helpful though and thanks for helping out.
Annie17, the link really was helpful and I bookmarked it. Thanks for sharing that with me. I need all the help I can get. And the two pics really show me the difference between the two styles. That so helps. Since I am a visual learner seeing it really brings it into focus for me. Thanks for taking time out to help me. Appreciated.
Jackie, that is a beautiful mantel and display. Love empty frames, have some on the top of my coffee table right now. So many uses huh.
Susan, Thanks for agreeing with the greenery. I will find something to put up there that says green. LOL. I guess since I just took down the greenery garland from my ummm *overdone* Christmas mantel that I didn't even think of greenery. I too think it will be nice if it falls over the mantel. Gonna try that out.
Annie17,me too.LOL.Thank you for posting those pics and the link to mantel help.
CaraRose,we are waiting....LOL.I'd like to see the other picture you was talking about.The longer barn winter sceen.It sounds like you can group it into the mantel area.I was at a thrift store earlier today.I saw this winter church picture.I didnt buy it but may go back after it.DOnt need it just want it thou.I got all side tracked looking at all the goodies.
I am no designer to offer real help,just a lover of home and design.Symmetrical is having the same items on both sides,looks the same.Asymmmetrical is having-using differnt items in the same area.LIke in the pictures Annie17 posted.I hope this is correct.HELP,is this correct Annie17?I like both design styles.I change up mine almost monthly,so it's always revolving.LOL.This message has been edited. Last edited by: jackierenette,
LOL girls..it was wet and gray and rainy here today so no op for pics. But hopefully I can get some good shots tomorrow. Of course I am still tweaking. You all have given me such great help and pointers. I appreciate it so much.
Will unveil tomorrow Annie17.
Jackie, I posted asking about asym versus symm before I read Annie's post. Now I understand Duh to me.
Jackie I will also get a picture of the winter barn, farmhouse pic tomorrow. I actually bought the metal piece to go with that particular picture but can't figure out how to use them together. You should go back and get that pic girl. I am not a designer either, well at least not professional. But I have done my home and the homes and rooms of others for many many years. This is the first time I have had a fireplace and while I love the mantels it gives me fits sometimes.
Stay tuned for post #3 tomorrow so you all can see what I finally finished up. Well not finished cause I am still tossing out the idea of some greenery trailing off the mantel. LOL
FYI, TOPIARIES are easy to make even if you are craft challenged. Two vessels, floral foam, dowels or straight branches, some U pins, styrophome shapes and sheet moss or silk ivy is all you need. Use some decorative material to conceal the foam you sink the dowel into such as moss, status, pebbles, mulch. Some hot glue might adhere the dowel better, but it is not necessarily a must. Some Paint might be needed on the exposed dowel. Optionally, you can find tabletop topiary forms on the Web. If going this route, you can use pieces of green wire to attach the silk vines to the forms. There are also books or how-to sites on the Web. Think of the pride that comes from a successful DIY not to mention the savings.
Posts: 16747 | Location: Right here, duh! ;) | Registered: Nov 03, 2005
Ok ladys,here is my sickly mantel.LOL.I cant find my look just yet.I'm searching for some new ideas and having tons to do in this room.To get it all pulled together.I never usally have the phone base up there. CaraRose,your mantel looks way better than mine.See I told you I was stumped.
Originally posted by Froo Froo: FYI, TOPIARIES are easy to make even if you are craft challenged. Two vessels, floral foam, dowels or straight branches, some U pins, styrophome shapes and sheet moss or silk ivy is all you need. Use some decorative material to conceal the foam you sink the dowel into such as moss, status, pebbles, mulch. Some hot glue might adhere the dowel better, but it is not necessarily a must. Some Paint might be needed on the exposed dowel. Optionally, you can find tabletop topiary forms on the Web. If going this route, you can use pieces of green wire to attach the silk vines to the forms. There are also books or how-to sites on the Web. Think of the pride that comes from a successful DIY not to mention the savings.
After seeing this note from Froo, I couldn't resist showing the topiaries I recently constructed, much as she suggested. I couldn't find any ready-made ones I liked, and after much shopping (this was during my holiday break), I found the white enamel cache pots at Garden Ridge, then found "fake moss" garlands at Hobby Lobby, which I wound around foam cones and secured with U pins. I placed foam squares in the pots and joined it all together with small dowels.
ETA: Just to clarify, I did these a couple of weeks ago, so I was struck by the similarities of what Froo suggested...not that I just followed her instructions This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nitalynn,
Well, even stranger Georgia, I own one of those EXACT topiaries in that pic, and that's what I set out to replicate! I use it at Christmas, and have always wished I had two. I've looked, but could never find anything even similar. So when I had it out this Christmas, I examined how it was made and set out on a search. I had already decided I wanted white pots, which I found, and after much searching I couldn't find the "bay leaf" type of greenery, but ended up liking what I got! I didn't think it looked all that similar to my inspiration after all, but I guess it does!
ETA: Those are made with a foam ball, with little sprigs of greenery stapled to it...that's what I originally had in mind, but what I ended up doing was much easier.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nitalynn,
Nitalynn, you did a great job with the ones you made.
CaraRose, wish I could but I'm no help with yours or Jackie's mantel since I also suffer from nomantelideasitis! I was going to post a picture of my mantel but I'm too embarrassed. Watching this thread for your finished mantel.
CaraRose,thanks for supporting me.I have been too buzy lurking on the boards here lately to finish mine.Looking at inspiration files too.I'm being a slacker.LOL.I need to go into my back bedroom closet and dig through stuff to use.I'm at a stand still in my livingroom.I'm debating on puting up new panels,and different artwork too.Cant make my mind up with this new furniture.:rolly eyes
Nitalynn,love your topiarys.I need to make some for spring decor.I have some of you home pics saved & named.Beautiful mantels you have decorated,especially last spring.
GeorgiaPeach,I like your inspiration pic.Sometimes I suffer from nomantelideastis and Wandas Mantelitist too.I am having that at the moment.LOL And being a slacker.It's this gloomy rainy weather we are having.LOL
Wow, after Froo's great instructions for a DIY topiary and now seeing Nita's I am definitely going to give it a whirl. Ya done good Nita.
If I go diggin in my DIY bins I might even find something to work with. I know I have moss...finding pots might be tricky, but there is always a clay pot to craft up.
And hey Nita, if you care to ship those to me , well I would be much obliged. LOL
OK GP where did you get those? Nice
GP, we want to see your mantel...I will be posting mine as soon as we get some sun here. Not much natural lighting in the LR.
Jackie, why don't you post your mantel on a new thread so we can all toss out suggestions to you. Hard to see your's in the middle of all my posts. Sorry.
So I am off to find the stapler, some greenery and a styrofoam ball...and some urns or some such holders.
i love that sheet moss idea. I have been looking for something to put in a pot that was just green and not fake ivy. The only experience I have had with the moss is a sheet of stuff from Michaels,and it crumbled and smelled bad. What kind of moss and where did you get it?
Posts: 1475 | Location: united states | Registered: May 10, 2004
Good luck with your topiaries CaraRose! Glad I could help inspire you. And thanks to those who complimented mine.
Homebody - are you asking about mine, or just Froo's mention of sheet moss? I didn't use sheet moss; mine are actually made from plastic moss garlands from Hobby Lobby. But they definitely don't look like plastic. My daughter was so surprised when I said they were plastic; she was feeling of it and said they even felt like real moss.
Love the Church art by the way.Could keep it on either side.It would look on a pretty easel leaning up there.Or matted and framed to make the picture larger.
now looking back on your first pic, you could take those two wreaths and stack them one on top of each other next to the iron piece that you have off center- space them so there is balance and then maybe you could overlap your church picture on the iron piece....does that make any sense?
