How to Arrange Ducks on a Mantel

Hand-carved and painted duck decoys are functional works of art. They are beautiful in pristine condition and take on a burnished charm after the edges and colors have been softened with use. Duck decoys add a rustic, masculine touch to many styles of decor. They suit a rustic room and add a masculine touch to a formal room. Add cattails to the mantel to recall the duck's natural setting. Use a symmetrical arrangement and polished metal vases in a formal living room. An asymmetrical design and wooden or pottery vases suit a casual den.

Decoy ducks
2 tall vases
Dried cattails
Low wooden box

Instructions

Symmetrical Arrangement
- 1
  Fill two tall vases with cattails. A 12-inch-tall vase is good for a room with 9-foot ceilings. Use a taller vase if your room has higher ceilings. You can also place the vase on a stand to add height. Place a vase at each end of the mantel, 6 inches from the side edges.
- 2
  Place a polished wooden box in the center of the mantel.
- 3
  Place a large duck decoy on each side of the box, halfway between the box and the vases. Place the ducks with their heads facing the box. The ducks do not have to match.
Asymmetrical Arrangement
- 4
  Fill a pottery or wooden vase with cattails. Place it at one end of the mantel, 6 inches from the side edge.
- 5
  Place a large duck on a wooden box on the other end of the mantel.
- 6
  Arrange several decoys between the vase and the box. Vary the positions of the ducks.
- 7
  Add a few smaller duck figurines, if desired.

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How to Arrange Ducks on a Mantel

Instructions

Symmetrical Arrangement

Asymmetrical Arrangement