Hearth to hearth: gather ideas for your own home from these inspiring holiday fireplace transformations.

AN OUTDOOR OASIS

This unfussy, natural look is perfect for its setting--a screen porch that faces a densely wooded area. Of course, this isn't your average screen porch, but then neither could this exquisite mantel design ever be called average.

The talented team at Oxford Floral in Oxford, including owner Bette Butler, David Naron, and Julie Wilson, built this vignette around the large Three Wise Men that center the mantel. These extraordinary clay creations, made by talented Mississippi artist Lane Tutor, stand in front of two oversized round McCarty platters. Flanking the clay figures are two glass cylinders set on pedestals and filled with green apples. Topping each simple container is a monochromatic arrangement of white dendrobiums, eskimo roses, and pure white freesia blossoms.

To tie the individual elements together, magnolia leaves are tucked into the arrangements and casually placed along the mantel, where the vivid green color is broken up by more small bunches of roses and clusters of nandina berries.

More McCarty jars at the base of the hearth complete the appealing organic look.

A TOUCH OF ROMANCE

Who says red roses are just for Valentine's Day? Their rich color makes them perfect for holiday decorating, says Dot Vance, designer with Accents Flowers and Gifts in Jackson. Vance and store owner Renee Pickell have a real passion for these perfectly formed beauties, and it shows in this romantic scene. Dozens of roses, along with vivid green limes and other greenery, are arranged in formal urns, perfectly complementing the floral still life oil painting that centers the mantel. To bring out the deep red color of the blooms, Vance added swaths of shimmering red silk dupioni to an extra-long garland made with cypress greens, magnolia leaves, and hypericum berries. Tile finishing touches are a trio of red- and green-striped taper candles and another romantic red and green fresh arrangement on the coffee table below. Ah, love is definitely in the air.

A WELL-FEATHERED NEST

The unexpected but ethereal appearance of peacock and pheasant feathers sets the tone for this elegant mantel design. Designer Beth Sledge and proprietress Marian Bowen of Petals & Pails in Ridgeland eschewed the typical holiday decorating elements and instead chose some very unusual natural items to create a look that harks back to the Victorian era yet still holds a very modern appeal. Centered on the mantel is an antique maple mirror topped with a ring-shaped arrangement of peacock feathers, gold raffia-wrapped balls, dyed salal leaves, and red berries. Cascading from this arrangement is a garland of mixed holiday foliage that visually connects the mirror with its surroundings, including two tall candlesticks topped with pave arrangements of artichokes, feathered eggs, and raffia-covered balls, with sprays of feathers. Red braided beeswax candies provide a touch of contrasting color. A larger pave arrangement in front of the mirror contains more artichokes, feathers, and salal leaves. What is perhaps the design's most unusual and extravagant element is placed in the foreground for all to see--a dramatic feather boa draped along the top of the mantel.

A DELICATE BALANCE

For this lush design, it's all about contrast. Pristine white blooms are combined with bold red candles and fabrics in striking prints and stripes to create a look that's simply stunning. Tom and Nancy McIntyre of A Daisy a Day in Jackson artfully captured the holiday season's two sides--the beauty and purity of Jesus' birth and the energy and excitement of celebrating with friends and family--and pulled together a look that would work in any home. Casablanca lilies and white hydrangea and amaryllis blossoms, are arranged in topiaries and simple vases, and more blooms are tucked into the unique square wreath that serves as the setting's focal point. A garland of mixed pine and fir branches, interwoven with red Chinoiserie-print ribbon and gold-edged sheer red ribbon, is draped across the mantel. Beaded raspberry sprays and green nandina berries add more color and texture to the garland, as do a few carefully placed lily blossoms. Six red votive candles lined up across the mantel bring warmth to the design. A small side table covered in a red and gold lamb striped cloth and topped with larger red candles carries the dramatic theme further into the room.

EASY SQUARE WREATH

Make your own unique square-shaped wreath at home by following these simple directions from Tom McIntyre of A Daisy a Day. First, cut a scrap piece of pegboard or thin plywood into a hollow square shape, or glue or nail four thin strips of wood together. Spray-paint the wooden square green. Attach a garland to the wood with cable ties, available at hardware stores. Finish the look with ribbons, fruit, or flowers to match your decor.

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RESOURCES:

An Outdoor Oasis: Oxford Floral Company, 1103 Jefferson Ave., Oxford. Phone [phone]; www.oxfordfloral.com.

A Touch of Romance: Accents by Pickell Lea's Flowers and Gifts, 4800 1-55 North, Ste. 17-A (LeFleur's Gallery), Jackson. Phone [phone].

A Well-Feathered Nest: Petals & Palls Florist and Gift Shop for Gardeners, 103 Lake Harbour Dr., Ridgeland. Phone [phone]; www.petalsandpails.com.

A Delicate Balance: A Daisy a Day Flowers and Gifts, 1220 E. Northside Dr., Ste. 180 (Maywood Mart), Jackson. Phone [phone]; www.adaisyadayjackson.com.