Warm Up the Fireplace Mantel for the Holidays

Experiment with nontraditional shapes. Designer John Gidding creates a square-shaped wreath with elegant scarlet and pale green orchids to give the fireplace a refreshing contemporary look. For a modern mantel of your own, add a garland of pale green leaves and accent the surface with different-sized translucent glass baubles. Stack a couple of crisp white linen pillows to add an element of comfort and romance and a few tall candles for those cozy winter nights by the fire. Bright white stockings and a variety of glass vases filled with bright green mossy rocks are the perfect finishing touches.