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Oct 24, 2024

Ina Garten's fireplace transforms her living room | Homes & Gardens

The Barefoot Contessa debuted her welcoming living room hearth, and it's one of the best we've ever seen – invite guests in by recreating her design When you purchase through links on our site, we may

The Barefoot Contessa debuted her welcoming living room hearth, and it's one of the best we've ever seen – invite guests in by recreating her design

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Nothing embodies fall quite like a cozy, crackling fireplace. However, we've never seen one look as welcoming or warming as in Ina Garten's living room.

The Barefoot Contessa debuted her fireplace on Instagram, with the first fire of the season burning away in an inviting reel. It has modern edging with a matte cream paint covering it. The fireplace is covered with a black screen, black candlestick holders, and a vase on the mantelpiece to offset the lightness of the lower half of the room. Antique-style, brass fireside accessories add functionality and warmth. A regal, golden mirror above the mantelpiece elevates the entire space. Garten's fire brings out the warmth of her textural beige throw blanket, pillow, and nubbly rug.

It's the epitome of the cozy living room. 'The fireplace truly sets the tone for this cozy space—especially when it’s lit!' says Victoria Holly, LA-based interior designer. 'The warmth of the fire immediately draws you in, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The warm-toned plasterwork adds depth and dimension to what would otherwise be a flat, boxy fireplace. The texture of the plaster gives the room a rich look that feels both inviting and refined.'

A post shared by Ina Garten (@inagarten)

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Part of what makes this focal point so striking is the artful blend of antique-style accessories with the modern living room style. Holly tells Homes & Gardens: 'Adding a gilt-framed mirror above the fireplace introduces a beautiful contrast with the clean lines of the mantel and the intricate giltwork carvings. Personal touches, like a small branch from outside and taper candles, add a sense of intimacy and make the space feel lived-in. The fireplace screen not only serves a practical purpose but also adds another dimensional addition, making the hearth a true focal point.'

If you hope to recreate this look, a mix of dark tones with the neutral living room color scheme is essential. 'The black and bronze accents provide a striking contrast against the cream plasterwork and fabrics, helping to ground the space,' says Holly. 'These darker elements prevent the lighter tones from feeling washed out, adding just the right amount of visual interest. Against the cream-colored walls and textiles, the black details highlight the clean lines of the fireplace, ensuring it doesn’t fade into the background. Instead, the black accents draw the eye, adding an edge that complements the warmth of the overall design.'

A combination of dark and light, modern and antique accessories work can work together to create a similar warm, welcoming aesthetic in any home.

Arched

This engineered wood mirror is just as stylish as it is hearty

Modern Shape

This set of three candlestick holders is perfect for a white mantel

Antique Look

These soldered iron tools have so much character and warmth

No matter the decor in the rest of your living room, the secret to adding personality to your fireplace is with mantelpiece styling. In Ina's case, she keeps it relatively minimalist with black candlestick holders, a simple modern vase, and a small clay pot. She uses items of varied heights to add visual interest to this focal point. Garten also centers the decor to the left of the fireplace, breaking up the look with a touch of asymmetry. Items tend to look best organized in groups of three or five, with an emphasis on showcasing your personality.

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The perfect fireplace can completely upgrade your experience of home by creating the ideal spot to sit back and enjoy.

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.

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