Elegant Fireplace Mantels for Gleaming Oscar Statues

This spring, the must-have luxury home accessory isn’t a high-tech gadget, gourmet kitchen appliance, or even a piece of designer furniture: it’s the Art Deco-style objet d’art known worldwide as the “Oscar.” These iconic statuettes are presented to the winners at the annual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards ceremony, which is broadcast in more than 200 countries and viewed by an audience of nearly 40 million. The Oscars may loom large in the movie industry, but the Oscar statuette stands just 14 inches high, making it the perfect size to display on an elegant mantelpiece, a decorative element that predates Hollywood by centuries.

The original function of fireplace mantels was to prevent smoke from wafting into rooms as fires heated the chilly interiors of medieval Europe. As time passed, designers began creating elaborate custom mirrors, arrangements of fine porcelain, and opulent clocks to decorate mantels, which served as natural focal points in most living spaces. Thanks to contemporary heating technology, mantels are primarily decorative today, but their visual appeal as an elegant and cozy centerpiece for a living room or library is as vital as ever. The fireplace mantel remains a place of honor for objects and collectibles designed to spark a conversation. These eight estates have magnificent mantelpieces that would be prime settings for the elegant, gold-plated star of Oscar night. 

Emerald Isle Gem
Dublin, Ireland

Langara House, a Victorian country estate, was designed by architect and painter James Edward Rogers around 1860 and features numerous period details that imbue it with picturesque charm. The stately front entrance of this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home leads to a hallway lined with hand-painted murals depicting classical ruins and putti. Chandeliers, ceiling roses, cornices, and numerous fireplaces clad in Carrera marble with decorative columns and cast iron insets contribute to the residence’s palatial effect.

Masterpiece Mansion
Charlotte, North Carolina

A fireplace with a two-tiered overmantel is the dramatic focal point of the stately oak-paneled study in this exquisite North Carolina home. Visible from the foyer, it welcomes residents and guests alike. Brimming with luxury details, this property also includes fine marble and walnut interior finishes, game room with wet bar and five televisions, and a theater. A tennis court and large fountain enhance the grounds while a double fireplace adds light and warmth to the covered terrace.

Home Sweet Hacienda
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Several masterful fireplaces set a tone of luxury at this exceptional residence in historic San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. From the living room with its arched overmantel that echoes the room’s radial windows to the intricately carved stone fireplaces in the den and master suite, this property exudes the richness of fine craftsmanship. Heavy beams found throughout were hand hewn on site with 400-year-old tools in celebration of colonial Mexico’s heritage. A garden courtyard, commodious covered patio, pond, and game room plus city views make this six-bedroom home a modern-day hacienda.

Rocky Mountain Home
Jackson, Wyoming

Each of the seven fireplaces that warm this spectacular Adirondack-style home has a mantel made from slabs of live edge wood, which showcase a cross-section of a tree and complement the home’s rustic aesthetic. The largest and most dramatic fireplace boasts striking floor-to-ceiling stonework as well. A wonderful family retreat and one of the most spacious residences in Teton County, this seven-bedroom gated estate also includes an executive office, wine cellar, theater, elevator, and stone patio.

City of Firelight
Paris, France

Set in the prestigious Champs-Elysées district of Paris, this stylish luxury apartment looks out on its own private garden. Inside, the residence is spacious and pristine, with high ceilings, distinctive moldings, and herringbone floors. In the living room, a handsome fireplace in veined marble holds court and adds to the overall elegance of the home. Original elements such as the sculptural room divider in the master suite and the mural in the dining room make this a truly uncommon abode. A guest suite complete this highly coveted and ideally located apartment.

Bespoke Baroque
Cincinnati, Ohio

A richly ornate fireplace with a decorative overmantel adds drama to the living room of this luxurious custom-built residence. With its Baroque styling and delicate moldings, this impressive fireplace complements the home’s formal decor with a touch of historical elegance. Coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and other striking fireplaces also help create an atmosphere of unrivaled opulence. Six bedroom suites, seven bathrooms, multiple kitchens, guest accommodations, and ample outdoor amenities make this home ideal for entertaining as well.

Perfection in Portugal
Cascais, Portugal

An elegant fireplace with a spacious mantel provides the finishing touch to the classical living room in this fantastic seaside estate. Flanked by columns, it evokes the Napoleonic heyday of refined decor inspired by antiquity. The well-appointed living room gives way to a verandah that overlooks the manicured garden and decorative pond below and offers calming ocean views. This villa also includes such luxury amenities as a gym with sauna, wine cellar, guest house, and pool as well as multiple elevators.