After moaning and fussing about painting the fireplace for three years, it’s strange to say that I actually like it white right now. I’m currently living with my personal favorite living room furniture (the pink and blue Barb sofa version). It’s soft and beautiful, and feels appropriately balanced with the white fireplace. But today’s post is more about styling the fireplace mantel and less about the fireplace itself. Turns out that white brick is a beautiful neutral background for all my “stuff”. But our fireplace is big, and the mantle is tall, so sometimes I find it’s easy to disorganize if I’m not careful. I love “stuff” and go out (some days I want more, other days I want the same painting). I doubt any scientists have ever studied women’s hormones to see how much visual clutter they can handle, but let’s just say it’s a hard balance to strike these days. It is even more difficult to maintain it. So let’s look at the evolution, and I’ll show you where we are today.
FIREPLACE MANTEL: September 2022, Brand New
Okay, I’m only including this so you can see how bare everything was when we got here (guys, it takes time to get into the layers). And I think we haven’t painted the new brick on the floor yet (not sure if we thought we shouldn’t do this or if it was just done after the fact). This iteration isn’t real, but it’s still fun to watch 🙂
FIREPLACE MANTEL: July 2023, First Living Room Reveal (Real Simple Shoot)
First, we shot the house real simple In July of that year for the September issue, for which, to be honest, we were not prepared, but there was no rush to order furniture so quickly. For the most part I still really like it (I wish I hadn’t sold it). that rug For my brother, this would really look amazing with my current setup – shoot!!! And it’s 12×15, which is impossible to find). What works here is the eye-catching painting, with a mix of black and wood, and then something natural and organic (I think this plant lasts for 10 days).
FIREPLACE MANTEL: November 2023, Rugs USA
After this, we shot for rugs usa6 months later. They redesigned the mantle in a way that I loved too and it was so fun to see them move out of our prop garage. stylist gatelyn rene Took out the mantle mirror (which we have since painted a pink) and added giant branches coming out of my incredible buzzippi Vase. This whole setup always seemed a little cold to me (not the styling, but the rug + white walls). I also think the couches were spaced too far apart, which was intentionally intended to show off the rug. I really liked it, but I wouldn’t say it’s really hot. We probably should have lit that fire. But it’s a great reminder that giant branches cut from your tree can definitely become stars (and it doesn’t cost anything). I lived with it that way for a long time and I really liked it.
FIREPLACE MANTEL: October 2025, Alice Living Room Update
Last year, we shot it again two new alice sofas And my new old paintings. I think it looks balanced with the level of style in the room. Two matching sofas create a less eclectic atmosphere, so it felt right to move the mantel back a bit.
FIREPLACE MANTEL: NOVEMBER 2025, BARB LIVING ROOM UPDATE
This is the sofa iteration we are living in and which we shot in November this year. The mantle is different from what it is now (see below), but has many of the same warm and soft elements. I really like this version. I didn’t buy anything for this, just styled it from my prop house (which is abundant, of course). The Cy Twombly lithograph never really shows up there, but with the other two color paintings on its side, it has enough power (I think).
FIREPLACE MANTEL: January 2026, My New Art Piece
Then we played there with “Boots” (my new painting made by the artist) brooks burns). I love this photo and this version. The painting really puts the charm there, and the warmth of the style helps. For whatever reason, personally, the contrast between the painting and the white felt too dark, and it was hard for your eyes to see the painting (it’s science, I don’t understand it). The contrast was very high for the amount of light this room got (which is good but not great). I liked the styling, but overall it felt unbalanced (it has since moved into my bedroom above my bed, which is obviously controversial).
FIREPLACE MANTEL: APRIL 2026, FRESH STYLING
That’s where we are now (last week). I didn’t fuss with it, just shot it how I was living in it, and I really liked the ambiance of it. I layered the lithographs and paintings more, added some poppy books, and a new vase From Anthropologie with apple blossoms harvested from our garden. Oh, and you can see the new wallpaper in the staircase! What you may not know is that I replaced the painting on the staircase for a huge colorful abstract that hangs in Elliot’s room (we’re remodeling his room, more paintings coming soon). This is awesome, and now I can bring even more color into our living room (in accessories, pillows, etc.) for spring/summer.
As you can see, all the elements are there – art that feels balanced in scale, accessories that contrast with the art, something organic (branches or a plant), and really great use throughout the mantle. The only thing I want to try, but haven’t attempted yet, is to actually hang (not lean) a large piece of art on the brick. We’ve tried this with Command Strips before, and things fall right down (too holey). So we have to either make a hole in the brick or hang it from a wooden beam.
I think the development of mental style suits me. I’m still trying to figure out this living room, but I love being in it (the Barb couches are so cozy and charming), and we still use the fire, even in April. Who will you live with??
*by photos Caitlin Green (unless otherwise credited)
