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Emily A. Clark

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Mantel Decorating: Colorfully Eclectic Or Stylishly Restrained?

March 4, 2014

Surely, I’m not the only one who feels all over the place when it comes to what I like decorating-wise. This is especially true when it comes to styling our mantel. I’ll use two of my favorite blogger friends’ homes to show you what I mean. 

On one hand, I love the simplistic approach that Lauren took to accessorizing hers:

simple mantel styling via Domino (Lauren Liess home)

(This is a shot from Lauren’s recent feature in the new Domino magazine.)

On the other hand, I’m equally as enamored with Edie’s fun, anything-goes approach:

eclectic mantel (Life in Grace blog)

An eclectically styled mantel is tricky, but she has knack for layering. In this case, the more the merrier.

I’ve tried both of these approaches with our mantel lately, and will show you pictures as soon as the SUN comes back out where I can get some brighter shots.

Which approach to mantel decorating do you take in your home?

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Filed Under: accessories, design tips Tagged With: accessorizing, mantel

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:00 am

    I have the same issues…I like so many decorating styles it is hard to decide on just one. Thankfully one doesn’t have to altogether, and normally I go through phases of the year where I pare back and then fluff more. I don’t have a mantel in this house but I use several other surfaces in the same way.

    Reply
  2. Anne says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:15 am

    I love both looks (and have long admired Edie’s layered arrangements), but prefer simplicity for my own mantel.

    Reply
  3. carmel says

    March 4, 2014 at 9:22 am

    I think I have a split personality when it comes to my mantel decor. I guess it depends on my mood , but I think I lean more towards Edie’s style. I loved her recent post on mantel styling tips. I think I’m drawn to her anything goes layered style because it has so much personality! It just makes me happy!!

    Reply
  4. Laurie at Laurie Jones Home says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I really think I should be on the Forbes Billionaire List that just came out, that way I could have lots of houses and decorated them all in all the styles that I like! I definitely have decorating ADD!! I love both styles & can’t pick a favorite!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    March 4, 2014 at 10:12 am

    As much as I love Lauren’s style, I find myself piling things on like Edie’s! I feel like I have to find a delicate balance, though, because my mantle is flanked by built-ins and it seems like the mantle needs to stay a little more simple in the middle of the full shelves. Excited to see what you came up with!

    Reply
  6. Clever Girl Reviews says

    March 4, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I like things in the middle of this. It all depends on the size/style of the mantle though!

    Reply
  7. Kathy @The Daily Nest says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Emily, I’m so there with you! Sometimes I feel so wishy-washy because I love it all! Happy to know I’m not alone! I just did a post on finding your home style I would love for you to come over and visit it! http://www.thedailynest.com/2014/02/finding-your-home-style.html
    Thanks! xo,Kathy

    Reply
  8. Beth Barden says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    This gloomy weather is for the birds! I jumped up this morning just to take pictures around my house while the sun was finally out!!

    Reply
  9. The Vintique Object says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I’m finding that as my tastes evolve (devolve?), I’m drawn the simpler look. I struggled with my mantel for a long time until I finally took absolutely everything off of it and loved it that way. My one dark round mirror is all that remains and the simplicity makes me so happy!

    Are not Lauren Leiss’s new house photos to die for, btw?
    Camille

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      March 4, 2014 at 3:10 pm

      Yes! I love her new house as much as I thought I would :)

      Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    March 4, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I lean more to a simple mantle. Unfortunately, our TV is over our mantle in this house. Ugh. I would love to move it because I miss having a mantle to decorate!

    Reply
  11. Lauren Liess says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    Believe it or not, I’m completely torn too!! :) There are days when it’s all gone (like totally empty) and then times when I layer it up… I can’t ever really decide what I like best to for me it ends up being a “mood” thing. (or when everything on my mantle dies I know it’s time to clear it off ;)

    Thanks so much for the sweet words Emily!!!
    xoxo,
    Lauren

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      March 4, 2014 at 8:00 pm

      Well, whatever you’re doing is working :) Congrats on the Domino feature!

      Reply

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