Fireplace Mantles again... I really want you to learn this!

Another- completely different asymmetrical look- have just one item. This keeps it simple and beautiful- very nice. (hard to mess up!)

A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. Do not have your one item hit the background item at it's mid-point. You do not want to cut it in half. Try to have it land at the 1/3 or 2/3 point. (most likeley the 1/3 point when you have only one item)

2. You do not want your one accessory item to be too large- this will make it feel off balance.

3. I would have done this fireplace just a little differently- I would have larger greens, that overlap the picture a bit. Not higher- it hits the picture at a good height, just fuller, or longer- so that it overlaps. I think this would tie the items together more, and they would appear less disjointed and separate.

Thanks to Decor fall winter 2007 for the photo!

Asymmetrical Balance

I have my own set of guidelines for asymetrical balance on a fireplace mantle.
1. When the accessories on either side are not the same item, they should not be the same height.
2. You can assume that when one is about 1/3 or 2/3 shorter than the other they will work together well. (this is a genral guideline- don't be overly concerned about specifics)
3. You should have a different nunber of items on one side than the other. For example, you can have a pair of candle holders on one side, and a picture frame, a vase and a bowl on the other side.

4. The overall visual mass of items on one side should loosely balance the other side. The exception to this rule is when you only have one item on one side.
5. The accessories should overlap the center object of focus. In this picture, the way the flowers overlap the art a bit really helps to tie the grouping together. Don't worry about "covering up" the picture. If it is a family portrait, yes, you want everyone to be seen, but most of the time, it only makes it look better.
6. The accessories should not be the same height, or very close to the same height, as the center object.

Thanks to Architectural Digest April 2008 for the photo- Designer: James Marzo.

Symmetrical or Asymmetrical?

Should you decorate your mantle in a symmetrical or asymmetrical manner? Here are three times when symmetrical is perhaps the best choice:
1. The more formal the look, the more appropriate is a symmetrical balance.
2. Another time you would decorate in a symmetrical fashion is when you are more of a minimalist. (asymmetrical tends to be a bit busier most of the time - with the exception of the use of only one object- of course)
3. Symmetrical is also easier- for the novice. You buy two of the same item- they are guaranteed to go together great! :)
Three good reasons to go symmetrical! (We'll talk asymmetrical another day.)

This mantle is from the home of textile designer, Suzanne Rheinstein's own home. Photo taken from Southern Accents October 2007.