Styling a mantelpiece
Stylist Sarah Lods shares her tips for making the space above your fire shine bright.
Use a range of heights; for a classic look place taller objects either in the middle or at the outside to frame the others.
Use groups of three or odd numbers, don’t always use a symmetrical composition and form clusters of objects rather than dot them along the mantel.
A large artwork or mirror always looks at home above a mantelpiece and can help tie your display of objects together. Don’t hang it too high, and consider propping it onto the mantelpiece itself – use Velcro dots to secure it.
If the collection of objects is looking too messy or disparate, use some with a common colour or style, for example organic ceramics in a cream colour, or a collection of vintage vases.
A simple but effective arrangement is three vases with the same types of flowers in each.
When using a flower arrangement, try to include a piece of foliage that droops down to visually break the line of the mantelpiece.
while a large chimney breast is often not required for practical reasons given gas fires emit through a simple flue, they can also enhance the fireplace wall.
The debate over whether to place a television screen above the fireplace is a hot one, excuse the pun. Having it too high up can make viewing uncomfortable, but it’s a handy centralised spot. Check with your fire supplier about heat clearances.
Cosy up
It’s not just about heat when it comes to creating cosiness. Other interior elements such as moody paint colours, heavy drapes, plump cushions and knobbly rugs also help to engender a feeling of warmth and comfort.
Christchurch-based designer Jessica Close is a big believer in lamp lighting: “There’s nothing nicer than being able to pull the curtains and switch on the lamps on a winter evening. Low light gives such a sense of immediate warmth and comfort and has the added benefit of making everyone look good.” She says not to be shy, and use four or five table lamps in a room. While custommade shades can be expensive, there is a good variety of readymade shades on the market.
Candlelight is also a favourite way to engender a cosy mood; Jessica keeps a collection of different coloured candles and candlesticks.
A well-stocked bar on a side table or console with designer mixers and decanters of whisky also has a lovely wintry vibe, she says. Jessica encourages the use of more side tables teamed with
ottomans as alternatives to coffee tables – and, of course, they provide good set-down space for your lamps and drinks.
Other components to try are antiques in modern homes to add warmth and personality, lots of cushions, locally made woollen and alpaca wool blankets, and textural elements like sisal rugs or those made of a mix of bamboo silk and wool which come in rich jewel colours.
“We have a great local textile industry including many quilters. Try throwing a handmade quilt over the back of the sofa.”
Jessica has been specifying more corduroy as an upholstery fabric: “It’s very forgiving, lovely to touch, cosy to sit on, is family friendly and offers a textural component.”
Above all, winter is a time when we spend more time indoors, so is the best time to plan changes to your interiors.