Take a look—a real, long look—at that fireplace sitting in your home. When’s the last time it was adorned with brilliant flames? If it was recently, good for you, but for many Southerners, a hearth can feel a tad obsolete, either because the winters are mild or because the fireplace itself is out of order. “Historic houses in the South often feature non-working fireplaces, which renders them either an eyesore or an opportunity to play up the space in a more decorative way,” says Haskell Harris, G&G’s style director. “Books, firewood, beautiful plants, even a collection of disco balls all take on new life if you reframe the way you look at this underappreciated void.”
For specific ideas—and visual inspiration—for taking holiday fireplace decor beyond the mantel, we turned to Charleston-based florist Sonny Sisan, who shared his tips below.
Disco’s not dead
Instead of fire, heat up your hearth with the power of boogie. When placed near a light source, these mirrorballs fill up a room with a shifting mosaic of light. “The disco balls are such a cool way to add that sparkle without it actually being a fire,” Sisan says. “Typically we see a fire in here, which is something kind of serious and warm, but to put disco balls in there, it’s party and fun.” To stabilize them, try balancing them on the hanging ring found on top of many disco balls, or consider adding greenery.
Light it up
To mimic the warm glow of a fireplace, layer candles in the hearth. If you’re looking to get sentimental, Grandma’s candelabra will do the trick: “You’re reminded of all the memories that are tied with those objects,” Sisan says. But any candle holder will do. Try playing around with different heights, and for those with small children, a good set of LED candles will work just as well as wax.
Traditional—with a twist
Adding some beautiful firewood to your non-working hearth is a playful spin on what would usually be there. Try weaving greenery between the logs, or at the holidays, layering ornaments. And don’t worry about stacking logs in a perfect, uniform pyramid. “The point of it is to have fun with it,” Sisan says.
Get creative
Whether you’re balancing disco balls, bunching fiery red poinsettias, or even having fun with spooky decor at Halloween, you can’t go wrong as long as it makes you happy. “The fireplace is such a conversation starter in the room because it is something that’s so architecturally captivating,” Sisan says. “I feel like dressing it is kind of like dressing yourself. It’s kind of like the personality of the home.”
