Mantel Pieces: The New Book from The Sunday Times Best Selling Author of the Wolf Hall Trilogy

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It's reassuring to see her research in action and to appreciate to what extent it props up her fiction - she ably resists the impulse to infodump everything she knows in her novels, but the foundations as evidenced here are deep and secure. A 1960’s split-level bungalow has been revived with contemporary extensions, cleaned lines, and Scandi-inspired interiors

Mantelpiece ideas – 13 ways to style your mantel like a pro

On Charles Brandon – this essay stood out to me because I realised that while I enjoyed reading the review, it made me not want to read the bookGroups of 3 or 5 items usually work better than even numbers, but do use your eye to see what configuration works best. Choose items that tie together, either in theme or colour, and have varying heights. A scattered arrangement that creates layers to add depth will look more interesting than straight lines. Her awareness of her own body makes her acutely aware of others, as when she considers the ill health of Henry VIII. "Historians &, I'm afraid, doctors, underestimate what chronic pain can do to sour the temper & wear away both the personality and the intellect."⠀ Smaller mirrors are fair game when it comes to mantel decorating, too, so don't be shy! "Consider the mantel the visage of the room," Kuhn comments. "Much like we dress our own faces with coordinating makeup and jewelry, the mantel is embellished with well-balanced accessories and decor." I found every review interesting, even if I thought the book itself wouldn’t be for me. For example, the first review was of Shere Hite’s 1988 effort 'Women and Love'. I’m familiar with Ms Hite’s work from the days when I worked in a bookstore, in California. Mantel nails Hite succinctly calling her work “an uneasy blend of prurience and pedantry”. Ouch! Or, iconoclastically titling the review of Chris Anderson’s book 'In Bed with Madonna' as 'Plain Girl’s Revenge Made Flesh'. Layers add depth to a space, which is why layering artwork on a mantelpiece works so well, creating a dimensional look. The key is to create a collection of items that while seemingly random, are actually cleverly arranged to create balance.

Hilary Mantel Takes On Royals and Rebels in a Book of Essays Hilary Mantel Takes On Royals and Rebels in a Book of Essays

So how do you go about styling your mantel? ‘Whether you’re a maximalist or minimalist, mantelscaping is all about curating a collection of things that bring colour, texture and showcase your favourite things,’ says Daisy Coombes, Interior Design Manager at Sass and Belle. ‘From books, artwork, and vases, to planters, candles and trinkets, your mantelpiece should be a place to express yourself and breathe a new lease of life into your scheme from season to season, or even week to week!’ Stylish mantelpiece ideas I am a big fan of Mantel's writing, although as a writer I am constantly depressed by her with the ever present thought of "how does she write so brilliantly" coupled with the knowledge I won't write anything as good. I think this book is really for the hard core fans rather than just anyone who likes her Wolf Hall trilogy or other works. It consists on selected writing from the London Review of books which she is a frequent reviewer for - including her essay Royal Bodies which caused quite a stir a few years ago, (although for those of a calmer disposition with relation to anything to do with royalty it is hard to see why). Two, on very personal topics, were my favorites. One covered meeting her stepfather when she was four years old, where to my memory, she totally nailed the viewpoint from that age. Another, the frank depiction of her horrific experience in the hospital after surgery, felt like a public service announcement wrapped in a horror story. “None of us thinks the complication rate applies to us.”The mantelpiece is what makes your fireplace stand out. Shop our range and create the perfect look for you.

Mantel Beams for Stove Fireplaces, Made to Measure Aged Oak Mantel Beams for Stove Fireplaces, Made to Measure Aged

Next, decide on you finish. Oak fireplace beams are made from partially dried new untreated sleepers, allowing you to create your desired look using oil, stain or wax. For a relaxed, homely feel try creating a display with an analogous palette. Here the navy of the mantel blends beautifully with the deep plum on the chimney breast, working in conjunction with each other as they share the same base colours. The accessories on the mantel work harmoniously as they echo the two tones with the artwork and bouquet of flowers, which also mirror the painting above the mantel. Unfinished wood always adds a rustic quality to a room, so a chunky wooden shelf used as a mantel will instantly give your fireplace a warm feel. Add groups of woodland-inspired accessories for a cosy look – owls, squirrels and birds will all be at home here. It also makes the perfect place to show off all of your nature finds such as conkers and fir cones.

Marble Mantelpieces

Another GR reviewer calls Mantel Pieces an "inessential" Mantel book. I don't know anything about that, I've only read this and the Cromwell novels, but it's definitely one of those collections you shouldn't feel guilty for not reading straight through; if you're like me, you'll probably like it better if you don't. These, in my opinion, were the highlights: At Fireplace World we have a wide range of accessories, from bio ethanol fuel to spacers and even stove pipes we will have it! Explore all of our products within the categories below. You don’t have to go all out with your mantel if that’s not your style. Mid-century modern is a simple and understated look that still makes an impact, especially for small living room fireplace ideas. Our selection of mantels are the perfect way to finish off your fireplace and create a feature wall in your room.

Mantel Pieces: The New Book from The Sunday Times Best Mantel Pieces: The New Book from The Sunday Times Best

I rather admire Hilary the most when she is being deliciously mean as well as rigorously intellectual. A skill she applies across a surprising breadth of topics. Mantels are the ideal place to show off any collections you have or a place to display all of those trinkets that make you smile and enjoy seeing every day. It looks even better with a fireplace tile idea so you can add extra pattern. Interspersed among the essays themselves are photocopied correspondences between Mantel and her LRB editor, Mary-Kay Wilmers. Many of these are a chore to make out, being both tiny and handwritten, and since they seem to be selected almost at random I'm not really sure what the benefit will be for most readers. Fun if you'd like a glimpse at how the sausage is made, I suppose.

Our Collections

It’s important to ensure that your solid oak products are ethically sourced and of the very highest quality. By choosing to buy from a well-established brand like UK oak, you know that you’ll get exactly what you expect. Our mantel pieces are beautifully crafted and built to last. Like a Tudor detective, Mantel ferrets out the slightest whiff of historical overreach whilst managing to land some sly burns not once, but twice, to the hapless Phillipa Gregory. When planning your mantelscape, opt for accessories with a common colour thread or pattern to create a cohesive look, whether that’s tonal or one colour. But make sure you mix up height, shape and texture to add interest,’ advises Daisy Coombes.