4 Fireplace Decoration Tips

A fireplace is not only great to keep you warm in the winter months, but is a fantastic focal point of your room. The design you choose for your fireplace determines the design of the rest of the room. This can be a great guide for your interior design plans, or it can clash with them. To avoid this clash, be sure to choose the right fireplace style and add the right decorations for your chosen design to further highlight the fireplace. Here are some tips on combining design styles with fireplace decorations:

Natural

To create a natural look in your home, consider painting your room in a crisp white. Then place a selection of plants with large and lush green plants (for example ferns) on your fireplace mantel. Use similar fresh colors throughout the room to mimic the natural look. You can use bright yellows and pinks or stick to the lush green of the plants. Designs of your cushions and rugs can further emphasize this fireplace theme by opting for pictures of plants, forests or stripes in different shades of green for these items. This natural look is very popular during the spring and summer months as it invites the energy of these months into your home.

Chic

The chic look is highly popular as it adds a balance of luxury design and creativity to your home, without this actually costing you the price of a luxury design. Paler colors including pastels in green, yellow, blue and pink are often used for this chic look, and this can be mimicked in your fireplace decorations. A pair of wooden shutters painted in a charming pastel green with a wreath made out of twigs from your garden painted red sitting on the mantel of your fireplace is one example of creating a chic look. Another is placing a selection of different sized mirrors all with elaborate looking frames above your fireplace. The frames can be spray painted in gold to add a luxurious look to them. The key to the chic look is to create an expensive looking design, but not actually spending the money.

Artistic

The artistic design is a continuation of the chic one, but instead of it looking luxurious the aim is to make the design look unique and personalised. The wall space of the fireplace is used to paint a mural or picture which ties in the theme of the room. For example, a cast-iron fireplace with a funnel leading toward a wooden mantel is continued with a painting of a bare tree and its crown. This can then be transferred to patterned wallpaper surrounding the fireplace and further highlighting the design of bare trees.

Another example is to paint a picture of your choice in your favourite art styles, i.e. pointillism or impressionism, over your fireplace. As both these styles use very bright colors, you can choose the main colors from your painting for the accessories of the room such as the rug, cushions, lamp shades and even curtains.

If you decide to follow one of these design tips and want give your fireplace a new dose of paint, remember to use fireplace paint designed specifically for fireplaces. These tips are intended to ignite your creativity and to remind you to include your fireplace in your interior design plans.  

GUEST POST BY: Sarah Oxely

Nervous Transformation

Here it is, our masterpiece. I say ours, but it's my friend Amber's home. I will let her tell you the rest. 

"My father-in-law is a mason and created this wall and fireplace 40 years ago.  We were very hesitant to change something so drastic that he worked on , and did a fantastic job.  As you can see, it is not a small area, it is one whole wall in the downstairs family room."

"We are very pleased with the results and the overall change we have made to our home. We get so many compliments on the way the brick still looks like brick and not the “flat” painted look!  Tanya, thank you so much for helping me with this."

So, what do you think? Did we do a good job? 

Yes, it did take us a long time. Amber chose Twilight Taupe color themed paint from the brick paint kit selection. The paint is guaranteed to make sure your brick retains it's natural masonry look unlike just slapping paint on it. 

Brick Paint Kits

Black Firebox Paint

Masonry fireplace Glass Doors

Fireplace Replacement Glass Doors

Fireplaces through the Seasons - Guest Post

If there is only one fireplace in your house, it’s usually in the lounge, the sitting room, the family room; whatever you like to call the hub of your home. If you don’t have a fireplace at home yet, you probably feel like you would like one. The fireplace is a very practical centerpiece to any room in the house, and it is also the type of centerpiece that will evolve over the seasons.

The Fireplace in Winter

Winter is the time when a fireplace really comes into its own. It’s the season fireplaces were made for. There’s nothing better than curling up on the armchair in front of a warm roaring fire with loved ones, or watching the family pet doze on the rug by the hearth. A real log fire burning in the home is a treat for all the senses. Staring into the dancing flames is relaxing; smelling the roasting logs is soothing and feeling the glowing warmth keeps the winter blues away. And of course every fireplace places a vital role in the family home at Christmas – not only is it a place to leave cookies and milk for Santa and hang the stockings, but it’s also perfect for decorating with a holly garland or wreath.

The Fireplace in Spring

As spring time starts to get a little warmer, it’s likely that there won’t be the need to have the fire lit so often. But that’s okay because when it isn’t lit the logs still look decorative and the mantelpiece can be put to good use for displaying Easter and Mother’s day cards, and fresh flowers cut from the garden. Some families even like to have a small Easter tree and the mantelpiece is the perfect setting. When there aren’t flowers or celebrations, pictures and ornaments look stylish on the mantelpiece.  

The Fireplace in Summer

You almost certainly won’t need to light the fire if you have warm summers in your area.  At this time of year, the fireplace becomes an absolute centrepiece for any room. If you are one of the many house swapping USA residents that like to take part in home exchanges for your vacation, you may want to screen off the fire to prevent your house guests using it for safety reasons. There are a lot of different types of fire screens available and some antique ones are very beautiful. If you are creative you could make your own fire screen using wood decorated with decoupage. Another way to show that the fireplace is out of use for the summer is to use it for floral decorations. Instead of the smell of roasting wood, you will fill your home with the smell of fresh cut bouquets instead and brighten up your living room.

The Fireplace in Fall

As the temperature begins to drop again, you’ll probably be looking longingly at your fireplace in anticipation of the weather becoming cold enough for you to light the fire.  Fall is a time to dust off the hearth, cut some fresh fire wood and get ready for some cosy nights in. If you’re feeling extravagant the first time you light the fire putting some natural spices such as vanilla or cinnamon in to burn with the logs will throw beautiful scents around your home.

Guest Post by Katie

May I Suggest: 

Affordable Fireplace Mantels

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Brick Paint Kits: Matte Finish, Looks like real brick

5 HELPFUL TIPS FOR SPRING CLEANING

Spring is coming and you surely have a lot of cleaning up to do! In order to catch up with your cleaning task, here are five helpful tips you can try:

1.       Clean your window panes.  

Have you noticed how hard it is to remove dust and dirt on your windows during spring when you use an ordinary cloth or paper? Well, you have to use squeegees with rubber edges or any material with rubbery texture so that dirt and dust will be easily removed. To begin, simply dip a sponge in warm water and a few drops of soap. Wipe the dirt and dust on your window until these are partly removed. Next, wet the squeegee and then clean your window starting with the upper portion going down. Repeat the process and wipe the window sills with dry cloth thereafter.

2.       Clean your carpets, rugs, and mats.

Another spring cleaning tip is to clean your carpet, rugs and mats at home. For those made of cotton and other washable materials, you can simply wash them up using detergent and let them dry outdoors. For carpets made of wool, you can ask the help of a dry cleaner or professional cleaner so that the material won’t be easily destroyed. Those with carpets made of synthetic materials; you can use an extractor to clean the traces of soap and fiber.

3.       Clean up the blinds or curtains.  

You can remove dirt on your curtains by having them dry cleaned or vacuumed. Make sure that you clean those heavy curtains before keeping them in time for spring. Otherwise, the dirt and dust would stain your curtains. In the case of wooden blinds, you can apply some wood cleaner on them. Those who use blinds made of aluminum; you can just wash them with water and cleaner outdoors. Make sure you wipe them with dry cloth afterwards though.

4.       Remove stains on your household fabrics.  

During the cold months, you can’t avoid spilling some wine, candle wax and even hot chocolate on your household fabrics like tablecloths. As spring comes, wash those stains away using a mild detergent or bleach solution. Water soluble stains like wine and hot chocolate are easier to remove. For wax, you can apply a special cleaning solution to remove them.

5.       Change your bed linens.  

Finally, make sure that you are able to change your linens. Have those heavy and thick bed linens dry cleaned. You can have the other ones washed in the laundry, those made of cotton. Use lighter fabrics during spring since it will get a bit warmer.

These are just some of the things you can do when spring comes. Cleaning up would be easier if you follow these simple tips.

MyGetRidOfGuide.com, a website that can offer several solutions to your most unwanted problems.  Guest Post by Lauren T.

Redecorating Around Your Fireplace

Your fireplace room provides a comfortable gathering place for a quiet evening alone or brunch with friends. With color, texture and accessories, you can decorate the room to include the fireplace without making it the sole design element. When considering decorating ideas, think about how the elements throughout the entire space combines to create an inviting fireplace room.

Start by choosing a focal point. While the fireplace dominates one wall, it need not be the center of attention. You might want to focus attention on the television, picture window or a framed work of art instead.

If your fireplace is the focal point, arrange a sofa or loveseat parallel to that fixture. Comfortable club chairs with ottomans flank the fireplace and create an intimate area of coziness and warmth. Additionally, the ottomans double as additional seating anywhere in the room.

Remember to include plenty of space for drinks or cards on game night. A coffee table in front of the sofa, end tables flanking the sofa or a separate bar area in the back of the room provide needed counter space.

With the furniture arranged, decorate the room according to your preferences and style. Incorporate color, texture and accessories as you create a physically inviting and visually pleasing room. Your first decision involves choosing a color palette. Consider the color of the fireplace then choose complementary colors for accessories.

If you don’t like the color of the fireplace, easily change it with a paint kit. A simple white fireplace is easy to incorporate into any design style when you use bright colored artwork, plants, area rugs and throw pillows. With a brick fireplace, incorporate rustic design elements. Hang canoe oars on the mantle or use wooden candle holders on the bookshelf. A stone fireplace accommodates shades of gray like charcoal, steel or pewter with warm accent colors.

No matter which color palette you choose, mix up the textures in the room to create visual appeal and flow. Soften the rough texture of a stone fireplace with smooth walls and flooring. Balance a smooth fireplace texture with a tiled mantle or a shag rug. Use combinations of textured materials like leather, vinyl, silk, cotton or marble, among others when you’re choosing furniture, hardware, décor and other design elements.

Flooring options make a great place to add texture. Sturdy and functional, flooring options also tie together your overall theme. Choose a floor with easy clean up, especially if you burn wood in your fireplace. Even cheap hardwood flooring makes a great choice because it’s easy to clean and available in a wide variety of colors and shades that match any design. Other flooring options include vinyl flooring, tile or carpeting. If you choose hardwood, add area rugs for color and comfort. For carpeting, consider purchasing a stain resistant finish that repels fireplace dirt.

Like the flooring, other elements of the room will be stationary. Design your room around these elements that may include windows, doors, bookshelves or a mantle. If the window is the focal point, capture attention when you use eye-catching colors for trim or large print in the window coverings. When decorating the mantle, follow the room’s color scheme and theme. Mount the television or a quilt or keep it clean for a simplistic design look.

If the bookshelves or columns are stationary and not the room’s focal point, minimize them if possible. Instead of packing them full of books or collectibles, simply place one or two elements on each shelf. Paint them a color that blends into the background. If the bookshelves are moveable, use them to flank the fireplace. Here, they reinforce the fireplace as the focal point and provide space to display collectibles and other décor elements like artwork, candles or pottery.

Add ambiance to your room by mounting a mirror on the mantle or on the wall that’s opposite of the fireplace. One large or several small mirrors reflect light and create a romantic ambiance.

In your fireplace room, your design preferences rule. Play by traditional home decorating rules or write your own rules. Whatever you choose, make sure the room is comfortable, inviting and ready for guests when you incorporate color, texture and accessories in your fireplace room.