5 Fabulous Fireplace Ideas

Nested Collection of Sculptural Art Baskets

Ok, so when you're designing your home or cabin fireplace decor and mantel decor, you want something that's unique, strikingly beautiful and easy to maintain.  That's where sculptural art baskets come in.  You see, the mantel and fireplace hearth are the perfect place to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside while giving you that high-end rustic elegance we all want in our homes. Here's 5 great ideas when thinking about designing a beautiful fireplace mantel.

1. Stones: Gather some river rocks from a local stream or around the lake house.  Take a brush and clean them off.  Once they are dry, then spray them with a clear, satin finish poly spray ($7 at Lowes or Home Depot).  Stack the stones on the hearth in groupings of 3, 5 or 7.  If they will stack all on top of one another, even better.  Add a couple of branches for some more interest.
2. Twigs and Branches: I love a little bit (or actually a lot) of flair when it comes to the fireplace or mantle.  Usually they are pretty monochromatic, so uniquely shaped branches and twigs are a great way to add interest.  Simply take one of your favorite sculptural art baskets from Matt Tommey (or even an inexpensive bark bucket) and fill it with seasonal branches.  Stunning, especially if you already have some high-end rustic furniture or twig furniture in the home!
3. Collections: One of the beautiful things about Matt Tommey's sculptural art baskets is that they look best when displayed in small collections in a beautiful mountain house or rustic second home. 3-5 baskets nestled together on a mantle or fireplace hearth brings to mind simpler times walking in the woods or staring at a bubbling brook.  Need help choosing a collection?  Contact Matt through this websites and he'll guide you through the process.  We ship all over the world!
4. Baskets and Pottery:  Over the years, many of our clients have paired sculptural art baskets with handmade pottery to build beautiful focal points on their fireplace or mantel.  Use a favorite local potter or ask us here online!  We have lots of incredible potters whose work is excellent and also looks great with Matt's baskets.
5. Nested Baskets:  There is absolutely nothing more striking on a fireplace mantel than a custom-made collection of nested baskets in mountain laurel branches.  They simply become the crowning jewel in a beautifully designed log cabin or mountain home. It's organic, high-end and brings the space to life.  To be sure, each one is always a one-of-a-kind and will be the envy of the neighborhood!

For more information on using sculptural art baskets in rustic home decor, click here.

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