Having a fireplace in the kitchen is undeniably charming. It becomes the heart of the home, even if it’s no longer a functioning hearth. We’ve found it’s a perfect spot to tuck a basket of Clara’s toys or books, and to display a rotating collection of decor above the mantel. I love changing up the mantel periodically—sometimes just once a month I’ll get the urge to swap pieces and refresh the look. My husband, John, is perfectly happy to let whatever I place there stay for years, but I enjoy the constant little updates that keep the space feeling alive.
Shortly after we moved in during mid-December of 2010, the kitchen felt heavy with brick and dark paneling, so we made a quick seasonal display on the mantel to cozy the room up for the holidays. It was an easy, festive touch that immediately warmed the space.
When we later primed and painted the brick and the mantel, the space felt lighter and more modern. For a while I kept the mantel simple and graphic: two faux topiaries, a round mirror hung above, a mirror tucked inside the firebox to add depth, and a tray filled with candles. That arrangement wasn’t exactly toddler-proof, but it was a little bit of decorating fun I got to enjoy after Clara went to bed.
After painting the paneled walls, which at the time looked oddly green because our kitchen lighting hadn’t been upgraded yet, I dressed the mantel for Halloween with playful seasonal pieces, including some homemade “bleeding” candles. It was an easy way to add personality and show a bit of whimsy.
By our second Christmas in the house the mantel had a more festive look: a large mirror (which later found a new home in the living room), stockings, a basket overflowing with presents, and a few small feather trees. The photos from that period don’t show the best color accuracy, again because the kitchen lighting was still a work in progress, but the overall effect felt cozy and celebratory.
More recently the mantel has settled into its current arrangement. We still need to replace one broken light fixture that’s been on our to-do list for months, and we haven’t yet finished trimming the transition where the cork meets the tile surround. Those finishing touches are coming, and we’ll share pictures when they’re done.
There’s also a little side vignette nearby that I love. One of my favorite birthday gifts is a small painting of our dog Burger, created by a dear, talented friend. It’s a tiny, chunky canvas—about nine inches square—that captures his expression perfectly. I cried when I opened it; it’s one of those heartfelt pieces that means more than decor. For anyone who asked after a past mishap, Burger is back to his happy, silly self, and we are so grateful for his recovery.
On the mantel right now I’ve got a bright green vase filled with tulips. The vase itself was a free one that came with a birthday bouquet last year and had been waiting patiently in my decor cabinet for its moment. The tulips were purchased for an Easter gathering to brighten the house, and with simple care—recutting stems, refreshing water every few days, and a classic penny trick to keep stems firm—they lasted surprisingly well. Fresh flowers don’t stay forever, but I enjoy them while they bloom, and their eventual farewell gives me the perfect excuse to redesign the mantel again.
Do you have a mantel, the top of a console, a dresser, or a coffee table that you tweak now and then? I find small seasonal or monthly changes breathe new life into a room and make everyday spaces feel more personal. It’s hard to believe we once lived with the old dark paneling and strange neon-like lighting for so long—now that we’ve updated the finishes and lighting, the kitchen truly feels like the warm, welcoming center of our home.