A Peek Inside the Parsonage

If you have a fireplace mantle (or shelf), here’s a picture of Gracious Design’s mantle, used as an object lesson:

I would have never thought to place a large lamp on the side as they did, but because they balanced it out, not with a matching lamp, but with the greenery in the large vase, it works well. 

Here are some other tips they shared concerning decorating a mantle:

• The mantle should be the unifying factor in the room.
• Art work is a great backdrop (look at the picture above and how she used that large piece of artwork in the center)
• The mantle should be a snapshot of the rest of the room
• Mantles need to be weighted at the bottom.  Sometimes the fireplace tools can do this.  A large fireplace screen or large plant can also work.  She used pillows and candles in the example in the store.
• Mantles have to have structure.  Create a “Magic U” with pieces up high on the side, down low in the middle and then high again on the other side.  Create the “U” around the center element.  For a wider space, create a “UU”
• Have different dimensions –
• Matte and shiny
• Different shapes
• Vertical and round
• Hard and soft
• runners, greenery

Concerning bookcases:

• Counteract bookshelf with round objects
• clocks
• globe
• candlesticks
• Add shiny objects
• Place heavier pieces on the bottom shelf
• Open some of the books up (see second shelf)
• If there is clutter you want to hide, use a suspension rod and cafe curtain to cover it! Maybe like this…

Just thought you might like some inspiration like I received for your mantles and bookcases!

Do you have any great ideas of things you’ve added to these places in your home?  I’d love to hear!

From my parsonage windows,