Mantel arrangement

Interesting cornices can be made from wallboard, or woods may be combined with it. If you have an ugly duckling mantel one of those heavy brick ones that stick out in a room, you could utilize it as part of a new decorative scheme by covering it in this way from floor to ceiling. If it is deep, a cupboard for china could be built into each side to give the fireplace a more slender look.

A fireplace in a dining room is a joy. Inn a Colonial room use a Colonial mantel of the simple design illustrated, which cost but little and has good atmosphere. You may either stain it to match the wood of the room or paint it. A room is given character by simple things, such as a cornice across the group of windows, matching the scalloped mantel board. The mantel illustrated is made of straight cross board and a narrow shelf upheld by a single upright board on each side.

Mantel arrangement: instead of a picture use a colorful cake plate over the mantel. Set two plates on the mantel together with a pair of birds, which may be matched or not, according to what you have. Jugs or other plates could replace the birds. What you are striving for is the pleasant composition this mantel suggests. Follow the idea in any way you can even if the articles you use are quite different. The question of what to put on a mantel seems to puzzle many women. There is no rule about it. Consider the type of room and put on your mantel articles that you like and that seem to fit in. For instance, instead of one plate over the mantel if you happen to have three fine ones, you might use them all. If you have a quaint old teapot you could use it with perhaps four plates on the shelf.