| Does your home have a fireplace that you are | | | | which they cook or hang decorator pots and |
| currently not using very often? Or are you | | | | kettles. Baskets hanging on the mantel and |
| thinking about adding a fireplace, faux or real, to | | | | pewter urns across the top help to make that |
| one of the levels in your house? If so, here are | | | | type of fireplace inviting and attractive. A cat, |
| some ideas for decorating your fireplace to bring | | | | ceramic or otherwise, adds even more charm. |
| out its natural beauty and charm. | | | | During the holidays, a fireplace offers the perfect |
| How you decorate your fireplace will depend in | | | | place to hang Christmas stockings or holiday |
| part on the room where it is located. A bedroom | | | | greeting cards. Some families stack gifts on the |
| fireplace may look quite different from one in the | | | | hearth or arrange Christmas decorations for a |
| family room or den. Part of your decorating | | | | magical display area in keeping with the holiday |
| decision will be based on the room and its tone. | | | | spirit. Children sometimes put out a plate of |
| For example, your bedroom fireplace should have | | | | cookies and a cup of cocoa for Santa. A wreath |
| a cozy, intimate look with a décor that is | | | | above the mantel is a nice seasonal touch. |
| special for the occupants of the room. If one or | | | | When you arrange a fireplace in your den or |
| both spouses like cats, use cat-decorated accent | | | | home office, it could look semi-formal, with |
| pillows with a matching throw for a rocking chair | | | | paperweights, books, and quill pens for effect. But |
| on the hearth. Add a coordinating mantel runner, | | | | it also may have accents like your favorite coffee |
| and you have a total look, especially with a | | | | cup, a planner, and an afghan quilt draped over a |
| nearby wall picture or two of a related theme. | | | | nearby rack when you stretch out on the leather |
| A living room fireplace can become the focal point | | | | sofa for a snooze or to catch up on your reading. |
| of the area. Accompanying floral arrangements | | | | Photos or busts of famous people and admirable |
| sitting in an unused fireplace center or on either | | | | mentors can round out the various types of |
| side of the hearth add a warm touch. Fireplace | | | | décor you may want to include in your |
| tools, like tongs, a brush, and a poker for stirring | | | | personal workspace area fireplace. |
| the embers come in many designs and styles to | | | | Your fireplace serves as the heart of any home, |
| match the room's decorating scheme. You can | | | | and particularly the room that it occupies. Use |
| get a Mediterranean, early American, or French | | | | your creative talents to devise a decorating |
| provincial style to suit the mood of your living | | | | scheme to make your fireplace a showcase of |
| room. Adorn the mantel with period antiques or | | | | the things that are special to you, as well as |
| accents to add color and design. | | | | those that make a visitor feel welcome. |
| Some people even have kitchen fireplaces on | | | | |