Hi there,
I really could use some 'professional' advice from a colleague 'amateur' interior-decorator.
After my divorce last january I realised I had - for the first time in my 45 years lifespan - the opportunity to create a living room to my own taste. Given my historical interests and hobbies, I opted for a late 18th century style. Georgian, Colonial, Federal, Regency are the terms used for it in your language, here in Holland we speak of Empire or simply neo-classical. So far I managed to create a glossy-white sideboarding and build-in showcase surrounded by a Roman templefacade, medium ocre walls and a white acanthusleave ceilng trim, combined with second hand brass chandeleers, lichting and decorative objects. The floor is cherrywood laminate. I've build almost a wallwide bookcase, which is - as the rest of my furniture a licht brown colour (pine/rubberwood). The couches are covered by beige drapings, there is a goldenyellow carpet underneath the coffeetable, my curtains are of a golden yellow with inwoven little suns, stars and moons.
I have recently started on making a mantlepiece, that, when ready, will be decorated by silvered candlesticks and a gold framed mirror.
Now I'm confused. Some people say a black/darkgray 'marble' mantlepiece will look fine, others say it should be white/ocre coloured to blend in with the room. The mantlepiece is the eyecatcher of the room, the first thing you see upon entering. I'm afraid a black one will be overkill, hence the fact that I also found a black iron hearth with fakefire (plastic logs/flameeffect) to place in the mantle...
Does anyone have experience or a suggestion?
Peter de Haas
Alphen aan den Rijn
The Netherlands