Standout Christmas Fireplaces... Colonial to Classical!
The Christmas fireplaces featured here showcase a wide array of both architectural AND decorating styles. From simple but elegant Colonial designs with wood mantels . . . to sumptuous Victorian hearths . . . to elaborate, Classically-inspired marble surrounds . . . the holiday deco- rations are equally diverse and range from relatively restrained to fabulously festive!
Each of the
Colonial
Christmas fire- places that follow has a distinctive look and feel. The Colonial design
pictured at left features an ever- green garland and wreath embel- lished with baby's breath and euca- lyptus.
Homespun stockings add nostalgic charm to this cozy coun- try hearth.
A garland made of evergreen boughs drapes the mantel top in the Christ- mas fireplace design pictured below,
left. White stockings hang from the mantel and complement the white birch logs stacked in the firebox. Above
the mantel shelf, a wreath adorned with glass Christmas tree ornaments echos the color scheme of the throw on the
chair flanking the right side of the fireplace.
Simplicity is the key to the success of the Colonial design pictured below, right. Swags of nuts and ribbon
hang from the mantel shelf, which is topped with early American artwork and simple iron candle holders.
An elaborate crimson and evergreen garland dramatically frames the Colo- nial fireplace surround pictured below.
Capping it off is a beautiful painting in an ornate gilded frame.
The Victorian-era Christmas fireplaces that follow are, in true Victorian fashion, sumptuously decorated. The
marble mantel pictured below, left, is elegantly draped with an evergreen and scarlet ribbon garland, accented
with tiny white lights. Flanking the gilded frame portrait above the mantel are two urns with an elaborate
double-tiered holiday arrangement.
Pictured below, right, is a cast iron mantel with tiled panels that flank the firebox opening. Just above the
pair of darkly colored Christmas stockings hanging from the mantel shelf is a festive arrangement of evergreen
boughs and brilliant glass ornaments.
The mantel shelf of the
Arts and Crafts
tile fireplace that follows features a snowy winter scene with a forest of miniature pine trees. Cotton
"snow flakes" dangle from the edge of the mantel.
The photo from Roger Wade Studio that follows features a Spanish-inspired fireplace design. A large evergreen
wreath and clusters of other natural vegetation hang above the fireplace. Also hanging on the wall to the left
of the fireplace are three Southwest Style stockings.
The formal fireplace design pictured below features a large evergreen gar- land that swags below the mantel
shelf and drapes down each side of the fireplace surround. Infused with contrasting shades of greenery from other
plant types, the garland also boasts an assortment of earthy bronze, gold and green glass ornaments, as well as
gold ribbon. A wreath hangs from the mirror above the mantel, while white poinsettias rest on the hearth
be- low.
The elaborate wood-paneled fireplace surround with heavy crown moldings, pictured below, is a real stunner . . . . . including the beautiful tiles around the firebox opening. A massive garland, festooned with ribbons and colorful
glass tree ornaments, makes a grand and dramatic holiday design state- ment!
The exuberant marble fireplace mantel and overmantel mirror frame pic- tured below, left, features exquisite
baroque carvings. Housed in the Ritz Hotel in London, England, its equally exuberant red and gold holiday floral
arrangement is by London-based Paul Thomas Flowers.
Though a bit more restrained in both architectural style and holiday decor, the beautiful marble Christmas
fireplace pictured below, right, is very strik- ing, nevertheless. A gilded antique frame resting on top of the
mantel pro- vides a fitting backdrop -- and color contrast -- to the tall white flower arrangements flanking it, as
well as the snowy white stockings hanging from the mantel shelf.
And finally, the Classically-inspired or
Neoclassical
stone fireplace surround that follows features a lush and colorful holiday arrangement. Created by one of the outstanding floral designers working in the United States today, a festooned garland of flowers, fruits and candies in vibrant, contrasting colors makes a uniquely stunning holiday decoration!
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