How to Decorate an Old-Style Brick Fireplace

Hang a picture or mirror gallery above the mantel. Choose pictures that complement the style of the room you're decorating as well as the fireplace. For example, a heavier frame made from oak would work well on this traditional fireplace. However, don't hang too many pieces. One large piece or two or three smaller ones will be decorative without taking away from the look of the brick.

Add decorative greenery to the mantel. Choose items such as pine cones and pine boughs, decorative twine or silk ivy or grape leaves. To bring an extra decorative touch, allow the ends to hang down from the sides of the mantel. Additionally, branches with dried berries or pieces of dried fruit such as orange or lemon slices add a bit of color to the brick fireplace mantel.

Display your family photos in the middle of the mantel. Choose frames that will complement the fireplace's brick, such as frames made from twigs or dark wood. Slightly tarnished silver frames that you find at a flea market or antique store will reflect a decorative style from an earlier era.

Decorate the mantel with collectibles or seasonal items such as interesting bottles of wine along with decorative holders, mini-pumpkins, gourds and other seasonal fruits, or with old mantel clocks or antique toys. These decorative elements reveal a bit of your personality and match the look of the fireplace.

Create visual balance in your display by positioning objects of like visual weight on each end of the fireplace. For example, if you place a stack of books on one side, either place an equal-sized stack of books on the other or choose an item that's about the same size.

Add a decorative touch to the hearth by placing pottery or some twig baskets on the hearth. For the latter, make sure they're far enough away from the fireplace opening to prevent them from burning. Look for rugged looking pottery instead of pottery with shiny surfaces.