Questioning our style of our mantel

Lou
by Lou
I am not certain if our dark cherry mantel is a good match for our living room. The nature of our entire downstairs except the mantel is based upon a real 1920's home. What do you think?
If you think it is not a good match then please provide suggestions for a more appropriate mantel.
Thank you.
  22 answers
  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Aug 15, 2016
    I think you might want to be on the hunt for an antique traditional mantel that would include a surround. Something you would like and enjoy looking at that would mix with your style a little better.
  • William William on Aug 15, 2016
    I like it! A bit of mission style that fits the style of your fireplace. A full mantel works with flat surface fireplace and gives a vintage Victorian feel. A full mantel would look off with the texture and the hearth of your fireplace.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 15, 2016
    Personally I would not change the mantel at all.If anything maybe change the decor around a bit.
    • See 1 previous
    • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 15, 2016
      My opinion is to not make the mantel so perfect so to speak. I would rearrange or find different unique items for the decor your are trying to accomplish.
  • Suzanne Crowther Suzanne Crowther on Aug 15, 2016
    love it leave it as is looks great
  • B1doyle B1doyle on Aug 16, 2016
    Maybe change the center candle holder to one more traditional style than the modern look. I would have mounted the mantel a little lower. But I really like it.
  • Ann Ann on Aug 16, 2016
    Google "mantel decorating ideas" and work with what you've got. You could have a seasonal display that is lovely and tweak your room decor around it. Have fun!
  • Maggie Hugie Maggie Hugie on Aug 16, 2016
    Seems to me like the mantel is not rustic enough to fit the rough plaster fireplace. If it fits your budget, maybe something like a live edge slab of wood would be more in tune with the surroundings.
  • Lorriedel Lorriedel on Aug 16, 2016
    I personally prefer more traditional fireplaces. You could search for an old fireplace surround, or build a new one. There are lots of fake fireplace ideas on Pinterest that could be adapted to create a fireplace surround for your fireplace. You could also go to a hardware store, like home depot, and assemble your own fireplace surround. You need to have accurate measurements and pictures to help you buy the mantle top and pilasters that you will need. It is also a good idea to start by making a model of the surround with cardboard. A mock up will help you work out the proportions, and to decide exactly what you want. Good luck!
  • J129958061 J129958061 on Aug 16, 2016
    I think it fits your room decor perfectly!!
  • Linda kelley Linda kelley on Aug 16, 2016
    I agree...it fits well into your decor. If you want to lighten it up...try some mercury glass candle holders...they will add sparkle and lighten up the mantel
    • See 2 previous
    • Lou Lou on Aug 16, 2016
      That is a great idea! My wife is looking at such online now. Great idea!
  • Kathleen Joslyn Kathleen Joslyn on Aug 16, 2016
    I think it looks lovely!
  • Linda kelley Linda kelley on Aug 16, 2016
    You can purchase dollar store vases, and do the Mercury glass technique then fill with pretty flowers. The glass candle holders can also be used for the technique. Anything really made of clear glass.
  • Flossie Flossie on Aug 16, 2016
    I think this mantle is perfect for your decor. Your room looks lovely.
  • JoLeen Bolton JoLeen Bolton on Aug 16, 2016
    Perfect color and style, just wonder how 'legs' from corbels to hearth would look to frame the fireplace opening? Just seems to be missing something right there.
    • See 1 previous
    • JoLeen Bolton JoLeen Bolton on Aug 17, 2016
      You could prop some similar colored paper or wood scraps there to get an idea of what it would look like, then if you like the look of a finished surround, you could buy a board, have them cut to the size you'd need, stain them to match the wood of your mantle, and glue them in place. Making the legs yourself would be an inexpensive fix, if you decided to go that way. Did you make the mantle, or was it purchased as is (gorgeous, by the way)? I love the style you've used in your room...I look at it as sort of country and so does the mantle, but I think the way it's hung, by itself, has a more modern look to it. It's just my view and I mean absolutely no offense by it...you've done a wonderful job. I wonder if I'd have even paid attention to it if you hadn't asked.
  • Lou Lou on Aug 16, 2016
  • Linda kelley Linda kelley on Aug 17, 2016
    If your not using the fireplace...put some led candles inside with a timer...they could come on every night....and give off such aviance.
  • Sharon Dedmon Woodruff Sharon Dedmon Woodruff on Aug 08, 2017

    The mantel is perfect. Change the picture and decor.


  • Barb Barb on Aug 12, 2017

    Your fireplace just needs a color change to make that focal point pop and the mantel wood tone is perfect being your end tables are in the same color family. Here's a color chart and I choose a color from your sofa pallet and your rug has those same tones in it😀 Here's a picture of the idea.

  • Barb Barb on Aug 12, 2017

    Add solid throw pillows to the sofa one in the fireplace color and the other in accent case on mantel to keep the eye moving and a large mirror over the fireplace the items there now or to small for your stunning livingroom and add larger item to the bottom corner of placeplace

  • Emily Emily on Aug 12, 2017

    this is the mantelpiece in our 1905 house. This would be closer in style than what you currently have. But it looks like at some time your whole fireplace was rebuilt. Still you could have a more traditional surround with a lighter mantelpiece. Your decorating does seem traditional although it seems also as though your windows were rebuilt? Anyway I would recommend you NOT go any heavier or more rustic with your mantelpiece, but I also have to admit I am not a huge fan of free floating mantelpieces.

  • Cheryl Dunn Davis Cheryl Dunn Davis on Sep 08, 2017

    How about removing the painting and replacing it with a large framed, bevel-edged mirror? The reflection from the mirror will increase the look of overall spaciousness in your living room.

  • Sharon Sharon on Sep 08, 2017

    I think it fits the Arts n Craft feel of that era. The other ones in the comments above are colonial, and late Victorian and don't fit the period of Art Deco and Arts n Crafts. Is you house a bungalo?