ENCHANCEMENT TIP: When preparing your house for resale SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THE
FIREPLACE MANTEL IS A MUST.
If you are fortunate in having the interior feature that is frequently desired and evokes imagery from the dreamy to the cozy ~ The Fireplace, then it is important to play up that asset.
The fireplace, itself, has changed little over the years, however the companion mantelpiece, the actual show-stopper, has evolved with the times. It’s the mantelpiece that sets the tone of the house and announces its architectural provenance, its age, and the prosperity, tastes, or aspirations of the home and its owners.
Mantelpieces command attention and its embellishments demand contemplation and creative expression.The winter months bring a heightened focus to this area with the crackle and pop of a roaring fire. And thus it’s a prime opportunity to emotionally grab potential buyers.
Let’s begin dressing that all important space.
The Mantle Dressing ought to echo the room’s theme by repeating its colors, textures and style. Mantel Decorating is a process ~ it is a little like buying shoes, you put them on walk around a bit and check them out in the mirror…then try on another pair…
Scale and Proportions: Consider the size of the mantle-shelf and the wall space above it. The rule of thumb for your item(s) selection is Big and Bold ~ a large mirror*, art piece or tapestry, oversized candle holders, a sizeable sculpture, or voluminous floral arrangement. Choosing a single or central item for your mantel will convey a sense of calm and order, visually quieting a room.
Many times one item is all that is needed to dress the mantel.
*Large mirrors are common mantle adornment because they reflect light add sparkle and make the room appear larger. However, it is important to look to see what is being reflected in the mirror. If the ceiling is all you see then it might be better to opt for a large picture or tilt the mirror so the room is reflected instead.
ARRANGEMENT STYLES ~ using multiple items to decorate.
Symmetrical: sets a formal tone. It generally features pairs of items evenly balanced. The pairs are usually of the same size and coloring. The pairs can be split or combined as long as the number is equal from one side of the mantel to the other.
Tip: Hang the mirror or art 12” or less from the mantel-shelf. Often the wall is brick or stone and you might not want to drill into that material. An equally viable solution is to rest the item on the mantel-shelf and let it lean against the wall.
Radial: has the same characteristics of a symmetrical arrangement but the design is initiated by placing objects around a centered item. The focal piece, regardless of shape, acts as an anchor and the additional elements are evenly positioned on either side.
Asymmetrical: creates a relaxed ambiance exhibiting odd-numbered groupings of objects of various types and sizes. Visual balance is the key here not the number of objects. For example an arrangement might consist of 3 decorative glass sculptures of assorted sizes placed opposite silk plant in a ceramic container of equal weight. (Weight refers to the compositional size and shape of the object.)
Layered: speaks of an ebullient, outgoing spirit for the room. This style tends to trigger the most fear in its articulation, however it can create the loudest punch. Layering is a dynamic process, positioning objects at varying levels, overlapping one with another, and mixing in the unexpected. The trick is to know when to stop so the composition conveys a visual story and doesn’t become waste land of clutter. This is accomplished by viewing it from top to bottom, side to side and front to back. When it flows in all three dimensions, a lively arrangement has been reached.
A Common Thread through each of these arrangement styles is that the placement and shape of your objects will create a visual path* for the eye to follow. The path should move effortlessly across the mantel from one side to the other and integrate into the flow of the room itself.
Tip: *Visual path can be checked by starting at one end of the mantel and finger trace along the top of the displayed items. Then ask yourself if you liked the rhythm and flow or was it too jerky or too straight? Is there continuous movement or was it hard to distinguish a path?
To see if the mantel presentation flows into the room, the height at which your finger begins and ends on the mantel should be about the same height of whatever is on either side of the mantel, i.e. window, furniture, painting.
Most common faux pas: First, is selecting items that are too small for the mantle space. It is like looking through the opposite end of binoculars. The timid and apprehensive feeling that this generates is not the impression you want to convey.
Secondly, is random object placement instead of relying on clustered groupings. By grouping like items together, by color, size, shape or texture, the repeated pattern will create a bold visual impact and is easier on the eye.
The mantel is prime real estate for creating impact and letting potential buyers know your house is something special.
Play with your ideas and create the irresistible.
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