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December 8, 2015

Mantel madness

It's highly likely that your fireplace is a focal point in a room somewhere in your home. This time of year we tend to focus our attention in that direction a tad more often. Whether you are cozying up to a roaring fire, snuggled on the couch watching a movie or you've hung the stockings in hopes for Saint Nick to arrive, chances are...you're looking over there!

But let's face it, mantels can be tricky. More often than not, I find that mantels are not quite deep enough to really put much of any type of décor on them. If you're not a designer or if you don't have a keen eye, you may run in the other direction instead of trying to create a focal point worth looking at!

Don't fret! We're here to help with lots of inspiration. My favorite tip for anyone is to add some extra sparkle in the form a twinkle lights. We've come a long way baby...now you can cast a pretty glow just about anywhere with battery operated fairy lights. They look great strung among the garland, tangled up in a glass container or wrapped around a gift or bunches of wood. Dim the lights and viola! Instant glow! Flameless candles are a must have this holiday season too! Try adding them in groups of uneven numbers for a bigger effect.

Of course, there's nothing better than the smell of fresh cut greens. I love to adorn my mantel (and stairs, and dining tables...you get the point!) with fresh garlands, berries, wood and even feathers! Why not bring a little outdoor in and use some of what mother nature has to offer?

Looking for something with a little more of a "pop" of color? Look no further! I love the idea of straying from the norm. Say goodbye to red & green this year and try something new, like pink or blue or even purple!!

If you simply can't figure out what to do,  then maybe it's time to "keep it simple"!  These mantel designs are just as pretty and have just as big of an impact, but have a certain restraint about them. If this feels "right" to you, then go for it!

Of course, I have put together a Pinterest board, Mantel Madness, filled with lots of fun and festive ideas for your mantel this season. Click here to check it out! However, if you are hosting friends and/or family for the holidays, and you just can't figure out how you are going to get it all done, call us to help you with your decorating needs. We'll have you whipped into shape in no time!

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Clients who have experienced the transformative power of healthy interior design

Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!

Jim P.

Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!

Karen S.

Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.

Marla W.

We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.

Lisa W.

Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design.  Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it.  We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!

Kate S.

Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.

Bill H.

Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.

I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!

Pam O.

Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!

Mary S.

Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.

Ann R.

Rene is amazing!  Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.

Holly M.