When furnishing any room there is a piece of furniture that should be considered first – the sofa in the living room, the bed in the bed room, the desk in the office. This piece in most cases should face the focal point of the room. The focal point can be a view window, television or a beautiful fireplace. Keith at Reading Designs recommends ‘The large pieces should be evenly distributed so as not to put the room off balance. Leave room around them for the best affect. In selecting these pieces, keep the architectural shapes in the room in mind’
The BBC Home website says:
‘Make your Fireplace your focal point’
• Consider painting the chimney breast to contrast with the walls and to highlight the feature, or for a more subtle effect paint the walls and chimney breast with the same colour or tone as the fireplace.
• Mantel shelf – de-clutter. If you are lucky enough to own a Stone fireplace or Marble fireplace then the mantle is a style focal point and not a magnet for keys, loose change or post.
• Accessorise – if there is an open fire, or open fireplace then a coal scuttle, log basket and poker (Fireplace Accessories) may automatically theme a traditional fireside area. If you have an unused hearth or an electric or gas fire and are looking for a modern, minimalistic look, a collection of large church candles will provide light and atmosphere. In summer, fresh flowers draw the eye.
• Artwork/Mirrors – to reinforce the fireplace mantel as a focal point, hang your best artwork over the fireplace or place a mirror on top, but be aware of the safety implications of viewing your reflection close to an open fire!
