Add that extra spark with seasonal accents

When winter winds are blowing (or the rainy season is showering, depending on where you live!), there is nothing better than a roaring fire. Instantly warming, it engages all the senses as it crackles away, making it the natural focal point of any room and thus the perfect place to set up seasonal or decorative displays. Here are some hearth-warming ideas to add a spark to your mantel.

A Fiery Mix With not a lot of clearance over this large fireplace, an interesting display comes from the assortment of  “garlands” that runs across the mantel. A layer of lace acts as a blanket of snow, then clippings of red pine and spruce keep the traditional clock company. Finally, red hot chili pepper lights spice up the whole scene.

Beautifully Botanical
Keep the feeling of summer year-round with dried or silk flowers displayed in the heart of the room. Create a theme by using framed leaf or flower details, like the ones shown here. To get this look, start with a large piece of wood, add molding around the edge and finish with a crackle paint. When dry, place images over top and “frame” with thinner molding, adding embellishments as desired and highlighting with dry-brushed gold leaf paint.

Starring Nature
It costs next to nothing to create this dramatic wall piece, so you can keep things simple along the actual mantel. Find five straight, equal-width pieces of wood and arrange them in a star. Use masking tape to hold the shape together, hammer nails in or hot glue pieces where they cross, removing the tape as you go. Place greens in the center. Here, the star looks over resting sheep nestled in greens and rosehips

Mosaic Showoff 
With warm orange walls as a backdrop and tufts of seasonal greens underneath, this mirror-and-mantel classic really stands out (and it’s really easy to make!). To re-create this mirror, start with a deep, flat-framed mirror and, if needed, give it a coat of acrylic paint. When dry, simply arrange pieces of broken plates around frame, then hot-glue in place—no grout necessary!
photos by Eric Roth


Home Fires Burning Safely:
• Make sure there is plenty of air and circulation. Dampers, air inlets and glass doors should be fully open when you’re building a fire.
• Only use dry, seasoned woods. The water in green wood keeps the smoke cooler, which promotes a larger build-up of creosote (the highly-flammable substance that can cause chimney fires).
• Build smaller, hotter fires that burn completely.
• Have your chimney inspected regularly. How often will depend on the age and condition of your home, but it’s a good idea to check the chimney for blockages like debris and nests before each season.
• Use a cleaner like The Chimney Sweeping Log once every 60 fires to help keep it clean. Available nationwide, or visit chimneysweepinglog.com for more information.
• Try a FreshAir Fireplace™ if you have respiratory problems. Designed to improve general indoor air quality, the FreshAir Fireplace also recovers wasted heat for increased energy efficiency. Visit freshairfireplace.com for information.