Hearth warming
BY LAURIE EAGER
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The light and warmth draw us close and create a welcoming ambiance. A hearth has been soul of the home since ancient times. In today’s modern homes, a fireplace is still an often-desired feature.
There are as many ways to decorate the hearth as there are families to gather around them. Whether it is a place to display cherished heirlooms, hang stockings for Santa to fill, or imbue the house with a festive holiday mood, a mantle makes an ideal focal point and spot to express your creativity.
Local interior designer Susan Farrens believes that holiday decorating should reflect the style and color scheme of the owner’s home, and definitely is not limited to red and green. Her holiday mantle is adorned with rich textures of velvet, damask and silk in deep shades of bronze, gold and black.
Gilded cherubs and tall candle sconces nestle among pine boughs attached to the wall with hidden wires. The fireplace decor blends with her sophisticated color palate, yet adds plenty of sparkle and shine to make the holidays feel special.
“You can never use too many lights,” Susan says – she winds them through garlands across the mantle, over the mirrors and up the stairway of her home. With the ceiling lights turned low, the white twinkle lights and the golden glow of the fireplace beckon family and guests to gather near and share in the holiday spirit.
At Wine & Roses, designer Cathy Brooks of Visual Impact in Sacramento has created an elegant look for the holidays. Set off against the rich chocolate walls of the dining room, the antique glazed cream mantle is trimmed with pine boughs and oversized papier-mâché pinecones. She wove strands of crystal beads, deep green grape clusters and twigs among the branches to create a nature-inspired look that is perfectly at home in this setting.
Above the fireplace is a wreath of turkey and pheasant feathers with deep brown and silver accents. Using unusual elements in new ways, as Cathy did, can create a sense of drama, and provide visual interest. In the reception area, a beadboard mantle is bedecked with small feather wreaths and cream-colored berries.
A collection of balls of various sizes is covered in wood shavings. Combined with additional globes of deep copper, clear frosted glass, and silvery stars, the effect is a perfect complement to the brown transfer ware dishes that hang above the mantle year-round.
When several creative minds get together, the “wow” factor increases dramatically. Such was the case for homeowner Lynne Davis, who collaborated with designers Brent Williams and Laura Hancock from Team Ciara to put together a stunning look for Lynne’s fireplace.
Lynne describes her taste as “eclectic,” and her lovely home houses collections of treasures from all over the world. The trio paired elements from Lynne’s collections, bronze glass reindeer, and carefully selected ornaments, for a look that is anything but ordinary.
They began by intertwining pine swags, white lights, green and gold mesh ribbon, and real feather swags. Next they layered on wide leopard-print ribbon, black and gold harlequin ornaments, animal-print boxes, elves, jesters, and feather flowers. They finished it off with giant tassels.
This unique mantle is a visual feast, and tempts guests to take a closer look.
The stately white fireplace at Stockton’s historic Magnolia Mansion showcases the talents of floral designer Jenny-Faye Klooster.
Jenny chose shades of deep red with gold accents to create a dramatic contrast with the white hearth. Cones of various heights suggest Christmas trees, and two asymmetrical arrangements of fresh roses in a rich crimson color set a formal tone.
She draped a swag and a feather boa at the base, and topped it all with a lamp and a stuffed pheasant for an unexpected surprise. The overall effect is lush and dramatic. Two red velvet wingback chairs flank the fireplace and echo the color scheme.
Whether simple or elaborate, the fireplace mantle is an integral part of holiday home decorating. Even more important are the memories created around it when loved ones draw near. Chestnuts, anyone?
There are as many ways to decorate the hearth as there are families to gather around them. Whether it is a place to display cherished heirlooms, hang stockings for Santa to fill, or imbue the house with a festive holiday mood, a mantle makes an ideal focal point and spot to express your creativity.
Local interior designer Susan Farrens believes that holiday decorating should reflect the style and color scheme of the owner’s home, and definitely is not limited to red and green. Her holiday mantle is adorned with rich textures of velvet, damask and silk in deep shades of bronze, gold and black.
Gilded cherubs and tall candle sconces nestle among pine boughs attached to the wall with hidden wires. The fireplace decor blends with her sophisticated color palate, yet adds plenty of sparkle and shine to make the holidays feel special.
“You can never use too many lights,” Susan says – she winds them through garlands across the mantle, over the mirrors and up the stairway of her home. With the ceiling lights turned low, the white twinkle lights and the golden glow of the fireplace beckon family and guests to gather near and share in the holiday spirit.
At Wine & Roses, designer Cathy Brooks of Visual Impact in Sacramento has created an elegant look for the holidays. Set off against the rich chocolate walls of the dining room, the antique glazed cream mantle is trimmed with pine boughs and oversized papier-mâché pinecones. She wove strands of crystal beads, deep green grape clusters and twigs among the branches to create a nature-inspired look that is perfectly at home in this setting.
Above the fireplace is a wreath of turkey and pheasant feathers with deep brown and silver accents. Using unusual elements in new ways, as Cathy did, can create a sense of drama, and provide visual interest. In the reception area, a beadboard mantle is bedecked with small feather wreaths and cream-colored berries.
A collection of balls of various sizes is covered in wood shavings. Combined with additional globes of deep copper, clear frosted glass, and silvery stars, the effect is a perfect complement to the brown transfer ware dishes that hang above the mantle year-round.
When several creative minds get together, the “wow” factor increases dramatically. Such was the case for homeowner Lynne Davis, who collaborated with designers Brent Williams and Laura Hancock from Team Ciara to put together a stunning look for Lynne’s fireplace.
Lynne describes her taste as “eclectic,” and her lovely home houses collections of treasures from all over the world. The trio paired elements from Lynne’s collections, bronze glass reindeer, and carefully selected ornaments, for a look that is anything but ordinary.
They began by intertwining pine swags, white lights, green and gold mesh ribbon, and real feather swags. Next they layered on wide leopard-print ribbon, black and gold harlequin ornaments, animal-print boxes, elves, jesters, and feather flowers. They finished it off with giant tassels.
This unique mantle is a visual feast, and tempts guests to take a closer look.
The stately white fireplace at Stockton’s historic Magnolia Mansion showcases the talents of floral designer Jenny-Faye Klooster.
Jenny chose shades of deep red with gold accents to create a dramatic contrast with the white hearth. Cones of various heights suggest Christmas trees, and two asymmetrical arrangements of fresh roses in a rich crimson color set a formal tone.
She draped a swag and a feather boa at the base, and topped it all with a lamp and a stuffed pheasant for an unexpected surprise. The overall effect is lush and dramatic. Two red velvet wingback chairs flank the fireplace and echo the color scheme.
Whether simple or elaborate, the fireplace mantle is an integral part of holiday home decorating. Even more important are the memories created around it when loved ones draw near. Chestnuts, anyone?