From Frustration to Joy: Transforming Our Fireplace Wall With Traditional Style
In an old house, the fireplace is more than an architectural feature, it’s the heart of a room. When I look at the fireplace in our 1922 home, I see a grand centerpiece where our family has gathered and made memories. Amidst its warm flames, we’ve told stories, played fun games, shared sad news, cuddled for warmth, and hosted friends. It’s a special place.
The Challenge: A Beautiful Wall That Was Impossible to Decorate
One aspect I always struggled with though was how to decorate the wall above it. The panel is a generous 86” wide by 44” tall. But the previous owner had divided it into three, ribbon crest-shaped spaces with trim. While these shapes recalled typical Colonial decor, they don’t match typical wall decor items.
Over the years, I hung mirrors, metal art, and prints, but each time the styling seemed paltry in scale compared to the large fireplace below. The decor looked cluttered and half-baked. I knew if I wanted to hang a painting or mirror worthy of the hefty fireplace below, I’d have to remove the trim. That scared me because I didn’t want to damage the plaster. So feeling defeated, I ignored one of the most beautiful features of my home for 15 years.
From the old real estate listing, the fireplace had three ribbon crest spaces. Pretty, but difficult to decorate.
Why I Finally Decided to Remove the Trim (and What I Learned)
Then last fall, my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I sighed. I couldn’t think of any physical objects and we didn’t have the money for a getaway trip. In a frustrated shrug, I said, “I want the fireplace wall to just look like a regular wall.” He smiled and said, “Okay, let’s get it fixed.” That to me, meant professionals. And money. But after we talked in more detail, we decided that we’d save money by doing some of the work ourselves. We’d do our best to gently remove the trim before professionals would come in and fix the surface. It was a plan.
Now this seems silly, but when I took a wonder bar and began prying off that trim, I felt a huge wave of relief. The squeaking of the nails being pulled out sounded like a beautiful symphony. Yes, I ripped a few bits of wall off. No, my job wasn’t perfect. But the barrier that prevented me from fully enjoying a living room we’d worked so hard to buy and enjoy was finally disappearing.
DIY Meets Professional Help: Finding the Right Balance
In coming weeks, I’d also learn a valuable lesson: sometimes professionals are worth the money. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do what it took to make the wall one smooth panel again. But a professional painting company did. In one day, they removed the trim outlines and small bits of damage, plastered the surface, and painted it. It was amazing. I felt so excited.
After the trim was gone, the wall looked big, smooth, and ready to be dressed up.
The next step was to decorate the panel without screwing up the fantastic job the painters did. I looked at endless photos online for help. Via Pinterest, I saved photos from fireplace walls that were similar to mine. I studied how home lovers and professional designers styled these spaces.
How to Decorate a Fireplace Wall With Traditional Style
Here are a few tips I learned about how to decorate a fireplace, specifically with traditional decor:
Use symmetry. Whether it’s candles, vases, or lamps, flanking each side gives the panel a harmonious balance.
Objects of varying sizes and heights create interest. Use fresh or faux plant material for height and breadth. This creates surprises for the eye.
Repeat patterns of color, shape, size, or theme to make the style seem coherent and beautiful.
Think about scale. If the fireplace is large, make sure your art and objects have heft. A lot of small items hung on a wall or set on a mantle will feel cluttered and hence, overwhelming.
Use a limited color palette to eliminate an unsettled feeling of chaos. Too many surprises can distract the eye.
Display objects you love, make it about you and your taste.
Deciding on a color motif and theme were the most difficult part.
Creating a Timeless, Balanced Mantel Display
Now that I had a blank slate, I took an inventory of the objects I had and what I might need. At first, I decorated the panel with a bright, still life painting of tulips and surrounded them with boldly colored objects. But that style felt a bit seasonal. To start, I wanted to create a more timeless look, with a motif that recalled nature but had a touch of spring.
I started with two lamp sconces. Because the wall wasn’t wired for electricity, I used wall-mounted rechargeable lamps. Now the space glows at night with a yellow warmth.
Next I searched for a large painting, print, or mirror to act as the focal point. I shopped at antique stores and looked at dozens of paintings. But none portrayed the type of image I wanted. I wanted either a soothing still life or landscape. When I found this little fox by a creek at a craft store, I fell in love. But the frame was modern and too thin to make an impact so I asked the clerk at the framing desk about options. I’d found a frame I liked but the canvas wouldn’t fit inside. As we talked, she mentioned taking the canvas off its original frame and mounting it to a matte board that could then be set inside the frame. Voila! It worked and I brought my little fox home.
The other pleasant surprise that day was the bouquet of paper flowers I found. They were a sweet alternative to plastic flowers and recalled the white wildflower blooms in the painting. I tried them out in a white urn, gray pitcher, rustic vase, Ball mason jar until they felt just right in this taller, green glass vase.
My mid-century duck lamp seemed to fit nicely with the meadow and creek landscape, as if it were taking off in flight from the grass itself. I balanced him out with another ceramic mallard I’d had in a cabinet.
The plate of apples I’d found in a thrift store so I set that out as a circular match to the smaller “broken” egg beside the ceramic mallard.
The vintage books and smaller landscape scene spread the green tones across the mantle, a color I love. And the old rusty iron grate I picked up at a garden show decades ago added an antique, weathered touch. Later I realized the gold gilding on the plate, lamps, and small print brought some fancy gilding to the scene.
A Curated Mantel That Finally Feels Like Home
Nowadays, when I walk past this wall, I feel relaxed and even a bit enchanted. The art isn’t terribly old or unique but it certainly sparks joy. As does every object that’s on display. It’s a curated collection of my favorites, creating a serene space that’s ready for more gatherings, laughter, and memories.
Shop the Look: Traditional Fireplace Decor
If you’d like to bring a similar sense of warmth and old‑house charm to your own fireplace wall, here are a few sources for pieces like the ones I used:
Rechargeable Wall Sconces — online and home stores
Framed Landscape or Still Life Art — look at local antique shops, craft stores, or online vintage sellers like Etsy or art suppliers like Minted
Vintage Plate of Apples — available in my Etsy shop
Green Glass Vase — look at TJMaxx, Ross, Marshalls
Paper Flowers — try Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or making your own with floral supplies
Vintage Books — thrift stores and used bookshops are treasure troves
Ceramic Birds or Animal Figurines — antique malls and vintage stores
Antique Iron Grate — try architectural salvage stores
