Take a mantlepiece masterclass with floristry experts Kitten Grayson
‘Tis the season to dress your mantlepiece up to the nines, read on for the experts’ best tips
Feature fireplaces are one of the most in-demand features for style-savvy homes and call out for beautiful framing, especially for Christmas. Read on for floral installation studio Kitten Grayson’s expert tips on dressing your mantlepiece, from what foliage to make a garland out of, to what to hang on the walls.
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1. Get your kit together
Grab some chicken wire, a heavy brick or weight and then wrap the weight in chicken wire – this will ensure your installation will stay sturdy on your mantelpiece.
2. Re-use and recycle
Look to reuse materials that you put in your installation every year. The beauty of dried flowers and foliages is that if they’re well-kept, you can enjoy them year after year. You can also compost anything you want to get rid of.
Mantlepiece Inspiration
Farrow & Ball’s Patrick O’Donnell suggests painting the wall behind a fireplace in a rich, contrasting shade to create a backdrop for winter accessories.
Farrow & Ball Chinese Blue, from £49.50 for 2.5l. farrow-ball.com
Kitten Grayson, Templeton. kittengrayson.com
Kitten Grayson, full Christmas selection. kittengrayson.com
Kitten Grayson, cow parsley decorated fireplace. kittengrayson.com
Kitten Grayson, Templeton. kittengrayson.com
Jamb, Milton fireplace. jamb.co.uk
Jamb, Montford fireplace. jamb.co.uk
Renaissance London, original English stone fireplace, £4,800. renaissancelondon.com
3. Gather from the ground
A tip when foraging is to look out for bracken, beautifully-shaped fallen branches, old man’s beard, honesty and teasels – the dried foliages will look beautiful and wild in any installation.
4. Light some lanterns
Create an atmosphere with candles – go wild! Placing lanterns around the base of the installation is a really safe way of doing this while casting beautiful shadows in the room.
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5. Mix up your materials
Adding different materials and textures will give your installation a new look. For a luxurious finish, weave in bows, ribbons and taffeta in golds and bronzed tones. We also love paper tinsel!
6. Weave in fresh bulbs
Adding spring bulbs into the arrangement will keep the magic of your mantlepiece alive into the New Year. Snowdrops and paperwhites are a perfect addition, and you can replant both of them in pots the following year.
7. Switch up your shapes
You can change up the shape of your installation year on year using the same materials, but adding a few more each time to create different looks and textures. Adding in dried hydrangea works really well – the colour is so festive!
READ MORE
How To Create a Beautiful Christmas Tablescape / Where to Buy the Best Kitsch Christmas Decorations / The Ultimate Gift Guide For Interiors Lovers
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