Everyday Design Dilemma ~ How to style a Victorian mantle with modern accents

 My sister approached me with a decorating dilemma a while back that probably a lot of renters today face; they have an architectural element in their space that they cannot change and doesn't blend with their decorating style. In this case, it is an ornate Victorian fireplace.

 The mantle is beautifully preserved and very fitting in this Victorian townhouse located in downtown Toronto, but it sticks out like a sore thumb among their current retro-modern furnishings. Here's a look at a few of the other spaces in their home so you can get an idea of their style.

So how do you style this Victorian mantle to blend in with a more modern decorating theme?

That, my friends, its what I'm sharing with you today as the first in my new series, Everyday Design Dilemmas, where I take your design problems and create a solution that will fit in with your everyday life. I'm very excited to be starting this series to give all of you a little glimpse of what I love to do ~ problem solving, planning and sketching. I'm calling it 'Everyday  Design' because not all of us need a huge, complex expensive design plans, just a quick and simple fix to a room or an area of your home that has been nagging at you for some attention and you just don't know what to do.

First, I looked for some great examples of art & accessories in both vintage and modern styles that blend well together.

Their living room is decorated with a sleek, modern grey tufted sofa with pops of green and orange, so I chose accessories that would compliment the room. 

When decorating an ornate mantle such as this one, the key is not to over-do it. You don't want to add a lot of small ornate objects that will distract from the architectural features.I chose to add a few pieces of bold, graphic art to casually lean across the top of the mantle, and some simple sculptural pieces that are round and organic to compliment the straight linear lines of the mantle.

The main traffic flow crosses right in front of the fireplace, so it is important not to block it. A small circular accordian table and a few floor pillows are a great way to add extra seating while not taking up too much space. Here you can incorporate bolder, more modern prints in your pillow fabrics.

 The wall to the right of the fireplace was just begging for some visual interest, so a retro lime green chasie is perfect to add some extra seating. Add a few toss pillows in bold patterns to represent a more modern look. The chaise also can be pulled away from the wall and used for more seating while entertaining guests.

Put all these elements together, and this is what you get. A modern styled Victorian mantle.

The curves in the laurel wreath sculpture compliment the rectangular shape of the mirror and offers a nice reflection without completely  blocking the view. The white paper mache taxidermy above the mantle is a great example of a vintage element with a modern spin. The orange and green pops of color tie the scheme together with the rest of the room. A few books with some funky bookends complete the look. Its styled just enough to add interest without being over done.

I cant wait to see how they end up styling their mantle! Hopefully these tips will steer them in the right direction.

Do YOU have a Design Dilemma you need answered? Email me at sarah@justthebeesknees.com with your problem and I  just might choose your question to be featured on the blog!

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