Even if your fireplace no longer serves its original function, there's no reason why you can't make your mantlepiece into adecorative focal point. Here's some of our favourite examples of mantlepieces done right...
1.
Pinterest
Pin It
A lithograph by Georges Braque hangs above the fireplace in this artists' home; the mantelshelf is filled with clutter and mementos, including two unusual ceramic candlesticks bought in Marrakech in the 1970s. The brown and electric blue candles provide a perfect splash of colour.
The fireplace of Pentreath & Hall, the shop designer Ben Pentreath shares with Bridie Hall, is edged with Peter Hone medallions featuring historical figures. The mantelpiece is filled with antique glassware, candlesticks and ginger jars and above this hangs a series of architectural prints. The walls are painted a pumpkin orange 'The Long Room' from Paint & Paper Library.
3.
Pinterest
Pin It
Paul Massey
The living room of designer Max Rollitt's home in Hampshire is painted in a cosy taupe brown. Red candles in antique holders provide a jolly pop of colour.
4.
Pinterest
Pin It
Simon Upton
'A motley crew of my favourite people adorns my mantelpiece, mixed with four small crystal vases holding one budding flower each,' explains Nicky Haslam. 'The cupcakes are actually egg timers. When lit, the candles in nineteenth-century French candlesticks illuminate the painting behind the flying figure of St Joseph.'
5.
Pinterest
Pin It
Ola O Smit
'The imposing picture above the original fireplace was found at auction,' says stylist Alexander Breeze of the mantlepiece in his Brixton flat. 'It's not everybody's taste, but I'm a sucker for Catholic art and couldn't resist this Christ-like figure. It was described in the catalogue as by 'a follower of Théodore Géricault', so now I refer to it, optimistically, as 'the Géricault'. The mantelpiece is home to lots of odds and ends and pictures of friends and family. The bronze sculpture of Hercules is a Chinese copy of a seventeenth-century original - unusually for lots of Chinese copies, it's the most terrific quality - and I bought it on eBay for a song.'
6.
Pinterest
Pin It
Michael Newington Gray
The owner of this London house bought the turqouise sea horses that adorn her mantlepiece from Les Couilles du Chien on Golborne Road.
7.
Pinterest
Pin It
Andrew Montgomery
More is more! The perfect amount of symmetry and asymmetry make this fireplace at Faringdon House a feast for the eyes. To achieve this look build your verticle line of objects first, then work on your horizontals. The final flourish is achieved by the artful mismatch of objects on the mantlepiece.
Like this? Then you'll love
Living room ideas | Cosy living room ideas | Country style living rooms | Modern living rooms | Small living rooms | Blue living rooms | Grey living rooms | 1960s living rooms | Bold sofa schemes | Bookshelf ideas | Fireplace ideas
Cras sed felis et risus mattis condimentum. Maecenas ut lacus vel nibh iaculis commodo. Pellentesque vel sapien eu dui suscipit sodales vestibulum id erat.
Pinterest Pin It Simon Upton 
