My real life friends, as well as blog readers, often ask me to help them with styling………specifically mantel styling. I hear a lot of this – “I know what I like, and I like what I have………..but I just don’t know how to put it all together.” I’ve been reluctant to share tips because I’m definitely not an interior styling expert, not even close. However, I never let my non-expert status keep me from decorating in my own home, and I’m guessing it’s my lack of decorating fear that has led people to ask for my help. So today I’m sharing a few behind the scenes pictures to give you all a look at the process at how this regular girl goes about decorating her own mantel. Hopefully, you’ll pick up a few ideas, tips or tricks to inspire you!
The first thing I do whenever I’m restyling my mantel is to clear everything off except for my main focal point. If you’ve been around here for any length of time then you already know White Beauty.
The next thing I do is to find White Beauty a sidekick. I typically like to add some color and pattern in the form of artwork. I use this abstract painting on my mantel quite a bit. It picks up the colors in the room perfectly.
Next I add some life in the form of fresh flowers/greenery, a plant or even just some branches. In this case with Trader Joe’s currently selling sunflowers at such a great price I couldn’t resist a pop of yellow. To balance the other side I grabbed two identical glass lanterns to use as vases.
Once I’ve got what I like to call “the main players” in place I gather up a bunch of options for “fill ins” to add a little more interest and personality. Then I basically hold auditions for supporting roles. Ha!
I try different combinations of accessories until I find a look I really like.
There’s really no rhyme or reason to my process; I just play around with things until I’m happy. Most of the time I’m all about stacking, leaning and layering.
I think the main thing is just to trust your instincts and have fun………it’s decorating not rocket science. Let your mantel reflect your personality, tastes and interests. You’re the one who has to live with it so style it in a way that makes you smile. Like anything else in life the more you do it the better you get. I think with styling/decorating what is especially true is that the more you do it the more you learn and figure out what you really love.
So go forth and style your mantel. Don’t over think it. Just have fun with it!
Do you have any mantel styling tips to share? Do sunflowers make you as happy as they make me?!
i love it- love the sunflowers! i love how the colors in the room's textiles are all represented- it is such a beautiful unified space.