This Over-the-Top Holiday Decor Idea Is Perfect for Making Fireplaces Festive

House Beautiful

Fireplace mantels we’re practically made to host seasonal decor. But if you want to go completely over the top this year, there’s one part of your fireplace that’s begging to be adorned: the inside of it. HomeGoods style expert Jenny Reimold filled her fireplace with piles of presents, and the magical display is certainly worth recreating.

To prepare her gas fireplace for the look, Reimold shut off the gas line (safety first!). Anyone with a non-working fireplace already has a present-ready setup. If you have a wood-burning fireplace and want to try this out, make sure it’s cool and clean before decorating it.

For the presents, Reimold recommends using three wrapping paper patterns in the same color palette. As you place the presents, “vary the way you arrange them by turning them horizontally, vertically, and even at angles for more visual appeal,” the stylist tells House Beautiful. “Pro tip: Don’t put bows on the boxes on the bottom, because they’ll just end up squished!”

Lean into your theme even more by coordinating with your tree and mantel. “I’ll often incorporate some of the ornaments I used to decorate those on the presents as well by using twine or ribbon to secure them,” Reimold says. "This year, I also leaned into my merry metallic theme by incorporating real and faux fir from the garland and swags.”

She also considered safety (and practicality) with the ornaments: "Since I have kids, I love using shatterproof ornaments to avoid any mishaps," she reveals.

Whether you go for a more traditional, glam, or wintery aesthetic, a present-filled fireplace is sure to impress anyone who sees it—especially kids on Christmas morning!

10 Designer Rooms With Marble Fireplace Ideas You'll Want to Recreate From classic to modern

From REAL HOMES

BY HADLEY MENDELSOHN NOV 11, 2021

HEIDI CAILLIER DESIGN

Of all the fireplace surround materials to choose between, marble is arguably the best. Not only can it speak to both classic and modern designs, but it's also a high-performer when it comes to maintenance and longevity. Keep in mind that marble is prone to etching (most natural stone materials are in comparison to their more durable but less luxe composite cousins), but as designer Dries Otten points out, "the first scratch is the deepest," and from there, imperfections only add to an opulent old-world look. Since marble is a natural stone, it ages very gracefully. While it's on the pricier side, though you can find some great reclaimed mantels at flea markets, Facebook Marketplace, or even on the street (speaking from firsthand experience, here—miracles do happen). Or, perhaps you're lucky and happen to live in a space that already has marble fireplaces and you're just here for inspiration on how to decorate it. Whether you're renovating and need some convincing to go the marble fireplace route, or you want to price up a preexisting one, these designer marble fireplaces ensure that you are in the best of hands. Ahead, discover 20 marble fireplaces you'll want to curl up by forever.

1 Jumping-Off Point ARENT & PYKE This living room designed by Arent & Pyke incorporates the existing fireplace beautifully. Though the eccentric details like the tiles on the firebox and the intricate pink columns on the mantel support could have been seen as distracting with the wrong design scheme, they actually become the glue that holds everything together. They speak to the Art Deco floral rug as well as the geometric cube table, and all the contemporary, colorful accents.

2 Marble Statement Wall CATHERINE KWONG DESIGN Catherine Kwong Design makes a strong case for a marble statement wall above a sleek fireplace. The metal sheet below gives it a less precious edge. 3 Matching Marble Frames TAMSIN JOHNSON INTERIORS Interior designer Tamsin Johnson used the same marble slab surrounding the firebox to frame the doorway for a surprising touch of glamour that also ensures cohesion between zones in the open floor plan. And rather than playing it safer with neutral-tone marble, she opted for swirls of deep purple and red.

4 Layers of Marble NICOLE FRANZEN This classic fireplace features several different layers and tones of marble, bringing a rich warmth to the small modern living room. Modern and midcentury furniture keeps things contemporary but the neutral tones and understated combinations as well as a classic gilt mirror on the mantel marry it all together nicely.

5 Subtle Accents NICOLE HOLLIS STUDIO Look closely and you'll see that the two support columns are deep maroon. This colorful accent spruces up the inky black facade. A modern and eccentric mirror above the mantel doubles as artwork and sets the scene in this moody, art gallery-esque living room designed by Nicole Hollis Studio. 6 Quiet Simplicity SHADE DEGGES A sleek and understated gray marble frame props up a lighter mantel surface and tiled surround. Designer Jae Joo opted for two comfy, oversized armchairs facing the fireplace rather than a sofa angled towards two chairs or a wall to ensure an extra cozy and intimate fireplace experience.

7 Color Play HEIDI CAILLIER DESIGN One of the beautiful benefits of marble is that veining can be a multitude of colors. In this living room by Heidi Caillier, it connects the unique dusty orange paint to the brick firebox as well as the black painted trim and even the cream walls and khaki accents. And all it takes is a little in the hearth area.

8 Earthy Hues WERNER STRAUBE A bright white paint makes this living room by Corey Damen Jenkins a breath of fresh air. The warmer tones in the marble facade play off of the woods and browns while still maintaining the crisp, cool atmosphere. 9 Understated Centerpiece TAMSIN JOHNSON INTERIORS The real showstopper of this Parisian dining room by Tamsin Johnson Interiors is the elaborate wall mural, which highlights all the beautiful original molding. To keep the design scheme aligned with the bones of the space while still bringing in some contemporary flair, Johnson opted for a white marble dining table surrounded by black and white Marcel Breuer Cesca chairs. The black marble mantel props up a playful modern vase.

10 Ultra-Modern NICOLE HOLLIS STUDIO For an ultra-modern marble fireplace, choose a crisp white Carrera and opt for a flat facade. In this living room designed by Nicole Hollis Studio, the plush and illustrious gray carpet softens the space while still implementing the surface materials and colors used throughout. 1

Fall Mantel Decor – 10 Looks for an Autumnal Fireplace

From REAL HOMES

1. CONSIDER NEUTRAL COLORWAYS

You might be tempted to opt for burnt oranges and reds—but a neutral fall color scheme can have just as big of an effect without looking too bold or overly bright.

'Fall is about the falling leaves swaying with the wind. In decorating your mantel for the fall, you should consider mixed incorporation of texture, pattern style, and color,' explains Stacy Lewis, Interior Designer.

'Neutral colors are the common representation of fall. The colors of dried leaves and wood are what I suggest.'

2. OPT FOR MINIMALISM

'The first and probably the most important tip is—don’t overdo it,' says Mark Cutler, Co-founder and Interior Designer at CutlerSchulze.

'I know that the change of season is exciting and the fall colors are everywhere, but remember, just as the trees are shedding and baring their branches, a bit of shedding and simplicity will go a long way to creating the perfect fall vibe.'

3. AVOID FALL CLICHES

According to Cutler, you should typically try to avoid clichés, so things like dried flowers and stacks of fake leaves should be out as a fall living room decorating idea.

'Make it about nature and natural things, but perhaps in unexpected ways,' suggests Cutler.

'For instance, instead of stacks of dried grass, maybe a few platters of natural woven material will appear to be more dramatic and sculptural.'

4. LOOK FOR UNEXPECTED WAYS TO USE WARM TONES

'I like to look for those warm tones in things other than just pumpkins and gourds,' says Cutler.

'Try incorporating some metals like bronze or copper, maybe using them in candle sticks of sculptural elements or as statement pieces.'

5. FORAGE FOR SIMPLICITY

Sometimes absolute simplicity can be best, says Cutler.

'It might be as simple as one really fantastic architectural branch laid across the mantle that captures the feeling of the change of seasons,' he explains.

Or why not make a fall garland to arrange below the mantel?

6. DON’T OVERLOOK SCENT

According to Cutler, it’s key to add some scent into your arrangement for maximum effect and it's an easy way to decorate for fall.

'Don’t forget scent too, it can be a powerful trigger, so maybe your arrangement will feature a scented candle with a woodsy smell, once again avoid the cliché of cinnamon etc, this is not a coffee shop trying to sell you a latte,' he says.

7. GO EASY ON PUMPKINS AND GOURDS

If you are looking for something more modern—but still want to incorporate classic fall tropes—repetition may be the solution. For example, you could opt for a no carve pumpkin idea.

'Try a collection of pumpkins or gourds with nothing else spread evenly across your mantle, the geometry will create a contemporary feel,' explains Cutler.

8. CHOOSE UNEXPECTED NATURAL ELEMENTS

According to Interior Designer Lisa Melone Cloughen, unexpected natural elements may offer the same cozy, kitschy feel without leaning too hard on tradition.

'Add an assortment of objects from a variety of natural elements such as shells, rocks, crystals, and even branches mixed with decorative items such as boxes, small sculptures, or metal objects,' she suggests. 'This all enhances the dynamics and mood of the mantel.'

9. USE WHAT YOU HAVE

You don’t need to go out and buy all new decor pieces just to use them for the autumn season.

Instead, Cloughen suggests using what you have; foraging through your house for pieces that might be in storage or used elsewhere.

'Candle holders and vases are great decorative additions that you may already have on hand,' she explains.

You could even create one of these pumpkin vase ideas for a stylish take on pumpkin displays.

10. GO FOR FLORALS

A mantel is usually a slim area so balance and scale are very important interior design theories to consider, says Cloughen, and a floral arrangement is a great way to add height or width.

'Flowers are beautiful any season of the year but I always especially love dried flowers and leaves or red/orange flowers during the fall months,' she explains. “They look so stunning and add a live element to your mantel.'