Styling Vintage Mantle Vases

How to Display Flowers In a Vintage Mantle Vase

Vintage mantle vases are one of my favourite pieces to style. They are so elegant and incredibly versatile.

Traditionally designed to sit on a mantelpiece, these vintage vases are perfect for creating low, softly arranged displays using seasonal flowers, garden cuttings or simple greenery. I often use them for small flower posies, delicate stems or spring bulbs like hyacinths and narcissus, which suit their scale beautifully.

If you would like a slightly more structured arrangement, I recommend using a flower frog or florist foam inside the vase. A vintage flower frog (a small weighted holder with holes or pins) sits neatly inside and helps position individual stems exactly where you want them, creating a more considered display while still feeling natural. Florist foam can also be used for fresh stems. Simply soak it in water, trim to size and place it inside the vase before arranging your flowers.

Another approach I love is planting bulbs directly into the vase. Add a small amount of soil, nestle in your bulbs, and then top with moss to decoratively cover the soil. It creates a soft, layered look that feels seasonal and slightly magical, especially in spring or at Christmas.

When styling a vintage mantle vase, I think less is more. A few stems arranged loosely, or a small planted arrangement, will feel far more natural than anything too structured. These vases work beautifully on fireplaces, shelves or bedside tables, adding height, texture and a quietly thoughtful detail to everyday spaces. Brands to look out for include Constance Spry, Fulham Pottery, Dee Cee Stoneware, Arthur Wood, Wedgwood, Beswick, Denby, Govancroft, Dartmouth and Sylvac.