apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I think you've done a good job...it looks lovely!

The problem is scale: That mirror is just too small for that space.

Try hanging a single larger mirror or a painting.

What immediately came to mind when I 1st looked at the pic was: ditch the smallish rectangular mirror and get a big round one! There are so many rectangles going on anyway with the shape of the fireplace, the mantel ledge, the bricks, etc, that it is overload! A big, round, chocolate brown framed mirror will tie in more with the curvy lines of the green vase, help with the scale issue you are having, and detract from all that rental white! Once you've dealt with the mirror I think the rest will come together easily. Hope this helps!

Hang the mirror. I like it off center so that the negative space frames the accessories. The issue to my eye is that everything is clustered at about the same height.

Get that mirror up (hang maybe 4" to 5" above mantle) and put the candle on the other side of it (I like the two green vases next to each other).

Try hanging the mirror, or maybe a larger mirror, and then arranging the items you have out in front of it.

big giant mirror - then the other stuff will be totally in scale.

I like DC Sarah's idea of our big round mirror....maybe adding another color as well...like turquoise

I second (or third!) DC Sarah's big, circular mirror idea but in a new color.

My first thought was to hang the mirror vertically.
But you said you tried that and it wasn't right.

Can you find another identical mirror? It might look kind of cool to hang the two mirrors side by side to fill the space.

But then - just get one big mirror. It is all about scale.

what kimg924 said.

You might also try simply turning the mirror vertically and then hanging some small framed piece high on the left.

I'm not a huge fan of a mirror above a fireplace. Why not put up a big bold framed print above the mantle. Also, try putting a dark bust in the fireplace there. There's a lot of white action going on and it can help to add some contrast. Nice fireplace!

I agree with some of the other posts, you can keep all the other pieces (vases & candle holder) but you need something larger to offset the others -- either a larger mirror (keep consistent with wood) or some large canvas/photo.

Great color combination.

i think this mirror could work. hang it centered, with about a 2 brick space from the bottom to the mirror. place the vase near one edge. step back and see where to go from there.

possibilities: something cascading down through the line of the mantle (plant, fabric)
something larger and/ or more eye catching and/or more architectural in the firebox
upright plant partially obscuring the outer edge of the fireplace

good luck

I would hang the mirror off center and add some other art on one side so you have a little grouping to give it more body. Also, there's a lot of white -- have you considered either getting a screen, or putting up some kind of thin board painted or covered with decorative paper inside the fireplace nook? Doesn't look like its' functional; and at least that would add some color.

What if you put those nice green vases in the fireplace instead of the candles, which are too short for the space?

Definitely get the mirror (or another mirror, or a big piece of wall art) up higher by hanging. Grouping with other, smaller framed art in matching frames would also add visual weight. Or go really wacky with a big mirror-mosaic baroque mirror instead.

Also, you might think about switching out the candles to the same color as the vases. The repetition of color can help tie the overall fireplace together.

I think it is part scale, yes, And the fact that the mirror reflects the ceiling tiles... But also the vast whiteness leading up to the mantle.

I agree that hanging the mirror will be VERY helpful, as will adding some colorful candles.

How about putting a decal or painting a small design in the section of vertical bricks just below the mantle? Might add a nice accent, break up the white, and make the mantle less overwhelming in scale... anchor it a bit. But the colors are great, I'm jealous of the fireplace!

I think you can keep the mirror if you visually define the space with a rectangle of the correct scale. Look and see if you can't find some painter's tape in your green color, and use it to create a rectangle on the wall that continues the lines of the sides of the mantle up the wall, and runs about a half a foot below your ceiling. I'd use a double, or even triple width of tape, and also run it along the top of the mantle. With that space framed, you can arrange your things inside the "canvas." Then go vertical with the mirror, with the flowers in front of it and the candle and vase on the other side.

My advice is to get a bigger mirror or a large piece of art, lose the candlestick and empty the green vase. Good luck!

Don't get rid of the candlelier-like piece! I think it's really nice in a slightly-ironic way. But I agree that the scale is off. Replace the candles with long tapered candles, maybe even candles of different heights, as long as they're all the same color

try smaller things..... small objects...keep it spare and an 8x10 quiet art/photo piece

my latest decorating mantra is "when in doubt, take it out"

Thanks so much guys, the suggestions are great! I'll ost when I make some changes!

Turn the mirror on its side, and hang it with the bottom about one foot above the fireplace, and about one foot in from the outer edge -- I think it really needs to be off center. Remove the orchids from the vase and place them flat on the mantle, towards the opposite edge, with the candle stick behind them, the tall vase next to the mirror, and the smaller previous-orchid-holder under the mirror. Buy candle in a yellow-green if you can find them.

Hey Chijenna!

I didn't catch if you rent or not but since you said you've been thinking about it for 2 years then I'll suppose that you don't.

The problem isn't the scale of the things on top of the mantle, it's with the scale of the features below it. I work in fashion biz so I spend a lot of time looking at the way color affects perception (i.e. makes someone look fat). Because your fireplace is painted completely white it creates a huge mass. It would be worse if your walls weren't white so don't worry about painting them.

What you need to do is to paint the inside of the fireplace dark again. That would also make the pretty candelabra that you have down there "pop". Long term it would be nice to create some interest in the recessed space halfway up the bricking, possibly with vintage tile. I would even like to see the exterior brick work plastered over to give your fireplace a more updated feel.

As far as the decoration is concerned, hang the mirror horizontally at a reasonable height, centered above the fireplace. A reasonable height in my opinion is one where you can see your head and shoulders when you look into it, roughly the same height as you would hang art so you don't have to crane your neck to look at it.

After that it will be obvious where to put your decorative pieces on either side of the mirror and underneath it. Don't be afraid to change up the collection from time to time. It's a great place to put accent colors that aren't in your palette yet too. A pop of blue or orange that you could echo elsewhere in the room with a throw.

I'd LOVE to see the after photo! Good luck!

I agree with hanging the mirror, and possibly changing the shape of it. If you can't afford a new mirror, do something to the current one to detract from the rectangularishness (!) of it. Paint green around the edges of the frame, or even paint some leaves or other graphics right on the mirror at the corners.

And I positively agree with STYLEBITES that you need to balance the fireplace with the mantel. Get some green candles going on down there, maybe big round ones.

What I would do is actually put some sort of art INSIDE the fireplace. Seriously. Lean something large , maybe framed, against the back wall of the fireplace. (pull the candle thing out a bit) A very bold piece of wallpaper or fabric, or some thrift store art. The candles will block some of the view, so keep that in mind when choosing something.