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  1. Home
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Update your mantlepiece in 4 easy steps

All it takes is these rules and a little imagination - by Diana Moore
  • 09 Jul 2018

If your vignette styling skills need a little perfecting, here’s help.

A mantelpiece is one of those covetable architectural features many of us look for in our ‘forever home’. Budding stylists, homeowners and interior designers alike relish the opportunity to let loose on a bare mantelpiece with a curated collection of objects and art.

It’s not as easy as it looks to get it right though and if you’ve been wondering why yours is missing the mark, follow the rules below as a guideline for style success time and time again.

1. A clean slate

Starting from scratch is sometimes the best way to approach a new look. Rather than build on the old vignette, remove everything from your mantelpiece and give it a good clean. Perhaps a new or favourite object will inform the new look - take stock of what you’d like to display – the style, scale, colour and theme and work from there.

_millergrey View Profile
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Supposedly it's peony season. Seems to me however like the nation's supply of white ones might have got a little lost last weekend around the Windsor Castle area... Just sayin'. 👀 So instead, a eucalyptus fuelled three-day weekend it is.

2. Keep to a colour

Things don’t need to match exactly in colour but if you stick to a similar tone for the objects on display you’ll achieve a more cohesive look. Tie your colours in with other items in the room – whether this is your sofa, an armchair or the artwork you have hanging over your mantelpiece itself. The inclusion of natural materials or something with a textured finish for an organic display or touches of metallic for glamour will take your vignette to the next level.

fabulouslyexhausted View Profile
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It's safe to say my living room does not look like this at the moment...due to the half term madness! . Thanks to Sophie @ahintofdecor I'm now dreaming of building a faux chimney breast in this room..I'm in love with the idea of alcoves 🙈 and Sophie makes everything look effortless and gorgeous! 💕 . . We're off out today anyway as the weather is lovely again! Hope everyone had a fabulous bank holiday weekend. . . #fabulouslyexhausted #livingroom #interiorinspo #interiorstyling #passion4interior #postitfortheaesthetic #livingroomonspo #prettylifestyle #prettysquares #beautifulhomeinspo #interiorstyle #wonderfulhome #realhomesofinstagram #inspiring_interiors #touchesofgold #champagnegold #mantlepiece #mantledecor #inspiredbyahintofdecor
thenordicbohemian View Profile
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C H A N G E ♡ * Terug van vakantie krijg ik de kriebels: veranderdrang! Niet heel extreem, maar toch... Ik heb al wat ideetjes voor deze hoek en ook nog een weekje vrij. Yaaaay! Morgenochtend naar de bouwmarkt! Fijne avond lieve mensen! ღ * Back home from our holiday I grow restless and want some changes. Not very extreme, but still... I have some ideas for this corner and also a week off. Yaaaay! Off to the DIY shop tomorrow morning! Enjoy your evening dear peeps! ღ * #thenordicbohemian #boholiving #houseandhome #interior123 #interiordecor #interior_and_living #interiorforyou #mixandmatch #nordicinspiration #scandiboho #myhomestyle #loungearea #mantlepiece #ektorpsofa #ourlovelyinteriors #mynordicroom #myinterior #whiteinterior #coffeetablestyling #wohnmission #mijnwestwingstijl #myhyggehome #vtwonenbijmijthuis #interior_delux #designstyleliving #clerkenwellpicks #thebohemiandesign_inspo @westwingnl @westwingde @ourlovelyinteriors
spacefurniture View Profile
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The Do-Maru armchair by @bebitalia is full of personality in this light-filled living room by @lucybock ⠀ ⠀ Photography @markroperphotography ⠀ #bebitalia #design #madeinitaly #italiandesign #spacefurniture #contemporarydesign #styling #furniture #architecture #interiordesign #interiordecorating #styling #homeinpo #livingroom #doshilevien

3. Build your shape

Working to the classic design rules of proportion and scale, build your scale into a vague ‘triangle’ shape, with one of your items standing taller above the others to form the apex, then anchor the triangle with a significant object or group of items at either side of the triangle base.

The triangle rule also applies in terms of number – as a minimum a vignette should have three objects included, varying in size from small to medium and large. If including more than three items, stick to odd numbers.

How to style a mantlepiece | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

One larger triangle of the whole mantlepiece and antlers encompasses two smaller triangles within

Armelle Habib

Your triangle can span the entire width of the mantelpiece, to form a collection at one or both ends of the surface. The mirror above both of the mantles below forms the apex of the triangular arrangement, with the objects at either end of the mantle forming the base.

homebeautiful View Profile
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Large spaces call for equally generous decorative elements, and this soaring dry-stone wall fits the bill perfectly! #hbmystyle #interiors #home 📷 @chriswarnes Styling @johnmangila
homebeautiful View Profile
2,503 likes - View Post on Instagram
Calming and sophisticated, this stunning bedroom is just one of our 50 beautiful rooms for 2017 - you can see the rest in our September issue, on sale today! #homebeautiful #hbmystyle #interiors #bedroomdesign #beautifulrooms 📷 @annetteobrien Styling @alanalangan

4. Less is more

Follow the advice of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe that “Less is more”. Rather than adding objects to build your mantle display, consider taking objects away for a cleaner look that is less cluttered and more elegant.

briahammelinteriors View Profile
930 likes - View Post on Instagram
Anyone else planting their butt on the couch tonight to watch the @bachelorabc finale?! Guilty 🙈Wouldn't mind watching it by the fire in this gorgeous living we designed this past fall. Such a cozy space to relax! 📸: @spacecrafting_photography Builder: @landmarkbuildco Architect: @swanarchitecture Real Estate: @ben_ganje . . . . . #bhilivebeautifully #bhi #livingroominspiration #fireplace #livingroomdesign #mantlepiece #fireplacemantle #tradhome #smploves #decorcrushing #currentdesignsituation #sharemystyle #roomhints #prettylittleinteriors #inspotoyourhome #makehomeyours #pocketofmyhome #thehappynow #flashesofdelight #thebachelor
decus_interiors View Profile
997 likes - View Post on Instagram
And that's a wrap for 2017!!! Thank you to all who have been involved in a huge year for Decus Interiors this year - our incredible clients, endlessly supportive suppliers, architect colleagues, consultants, builders, trades and photographers. And of course - my fabulous team who continue to go from strength to strength and never cease to amaze me with their commitment to lift our game. Big things on the horizon for 2018. Can't wait to get started.. but before that, there's a baby to be had and a glass or two of bubbles to be enjoyed. Happy Holidays to you all.. xxx 📷 of our studio by the ever so talented @nickcubbinphoto

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Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

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