Calling all decorators - FINISHED PROJECT 1/18 - POST 38

[kdibattista]

I am having problems figuring out what to do with the wall above my fireplace (all the boxes and stuff around the fireplace are't normally there... I'm in the midst of decorating for the holidays ):

Normally, I have tall pillar candleholders and picture up so we never had anything there before but I want to put something up. I am torn between a mirror (larger framed carved mirror), or the 2 different metal panels below:

I actually like the panels better then the mirror but I think that would really limit what I can put on my mantel whereas a mirror would be easier to work with. I really want a fine art Disney painting but that's not in the budget right now

So, any comments on my ideas or any other ideas? DH also suggested an oversized clock but I'm not crazy about that at all.

ETA: The walls are actually a light mocha/dark mocha but they look violet in the pictures

 

[lazydazy8]

I would suggest a mirror.

Here is why... a mirror reflects light. It will help to add depth to the room, especially if there are windows on one side of the room only. It also will allow you to use candles on the mantle and reflect their light from the mirror. If you use those metal pieces that already hold candles, you won't want to add more candles to the mantle.

Check out www.photofiddle.com. I just discovered them. I don't know much about it, but you can upload a digital picture and end up with a picture that looks like a piece of art. Maybe you could find a picture at Disney to use?

 

[FroggyinArk]

i nicely framed mirror would work, unless the room is already a real large room, or there are windows directly opposite it, if you use hte wall hangings, i like the first one better,

btw, based on the smutting arount the upper edges of your fireplace,, you might wanna look into a chimney sweep, and have the draft checked...it shouldnt ever smoke into the room like that at the corners.

 

[kdibattista]

i nicely framed mirror would work, unless the room is already a real large room, or there are windows directly opposite it, if you use hte wall hangings, i like the first one better,

btw, based on the smutting arount the upper edges of your fireplace,, you might wanna look into a chimney sweep, and have the draft checked...it shouldnt ever smoke into the room like that at the corners.

Thanks... we actually had it inspected and cleaned about a month ago but the guy then put a thin screen to keep out stinkbugs. We lit a fire and had smoke starting to come in... turns out the screen was too thin and was clogged. We have since fixed it. Now I just have to figure out how to clean the stone (although you can't really see it.. it comes out a lot lighter on camera).

 

[Poohnatic]

I looked at the picture before reading your post and immediately thought 'mirror'.

You can do so much more with a mirror than those panels. While they're pretty, they'll limit any other decorative accent choices you might want to use.

Suzanne

 

[Disney Doll]

I vote for a mirror too...enlarges the room, reflects light and so forth.

I do like those panels though....do you have somewhere else you can use them?

 

[kdibattista]

Ok... found this mirror at HomeGoods ($40!!!! LOVE that store ).

Anyway, new question. I currently have the mirror leaning and I kind of like that better then hanging it (I would of course stabilize it somehow permanently). Now, they had a larger version of the same mirror. If these were your options, which would you choose:

A) Keep the size and have it lean the way it is

B) Keep the size and hang it centered above the fireplace

C) Get the larger mirror and lean it the same way the smaller one is

D) Get a different mirror

Unfortunately, the larger size would not fit to hang it (well it would but there would really be very little room on the top or bottom). Even leaning, there would probably only be a few inches at the top of the wall but it would be much better lengthwise... I think



Thanks guys!!

 

[almacdonald]

Can I vote for more mirror less frame? I do like the mirrror idea though

 

[Disney4Drew]

I am going to vote for something round or oval. I have a big wheat wreath over my fireplace. I like the contrast of shapes. Also, maybe try something with a darker frame. The mirror and the fireplace seem to blend together.

 

[CharmCityGirl]

I would go bigger and try to hang it. I also like the other poster's suggestion of more mirror and less frame.

 

[Christine]

You need a bigger mirror for that size space. I also agree that the the frame is too wide for what you are doing above the mantel. Bigger mirror, less frame.

 

[KathyTX]

I think the mirror is fine, but it needs to be just one element of a group instead of sitting there all alone with all that white space around it.

Maybe three tall candlesticks of varying heights on one side, and a tallish silk plant on the other would finish the look:

 

[Poohnatic]

Bigger mirror and probably a few candle holders on either side. Two different sizes on each side to appeal to the eye.

 

[kdibattista]

Thanks everyone!!! I'm definitely going to be adding varying sized pillar candle holders on each side. I tried the bigger mirror but it doesn't fit. I'm on a mission so I will be hitting other stores to see if I can find a better match.

Thanks again!!!

 

[tw1nsmom]

You could also move the mirror off-center and put something taller on the one side. You could put smaller candles in front and to the other side of the mirror. I tend to like asymetry (sp?), but that may be just me.

 

[kdibattista]

I know I'm a pain but I wanted to show you the new mirrors I was able to pick up today... thoughts? I think I took most of the suggestions... thank you so much for them

Color is almost a grayish blue with little detail around the frame:

Color is a light bronze with Celtic type etching around the frame ... this is the one I think I like the best:

This is actually much darker then it appears in the picture (the lighting in my house is crazy). It's a bronze color and the the filigree is over top of mirror. This would be hung and centered over the fireplace:

Oval mirror (this would be hung and centered over fireplace):

Closeup of oval mirror

I will definitely be adding other stuff around and in front of it but didn't want to take apart my greens to play around with it.

 

[KathyTX]

I really like both #1 and #2. I think either will look great there with your candlesticks.

I do like the filigree thing, just not in that spot for some reason.

 

[CharmCityGirl]

#2 has my vote!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I like the oval the best! I like how the shape isn't a "true" oval as the curvature peaks in places. I like the decorative work around it too. It's an interesting peice! I like to shake things up a bit and go for the unexpected.

I like the filigree too! Could you use it on the wall beside the fireplace? (ETA- I'd hang it vertically.) Maybe place some greenery on it? You have really good taste!

 

[Disney-Kim]

I really like the oval mirror...it contrasts the square fireplace....