I think a mirror with a simple frame, or perhaps no frame, would work well there. Maybe with some candles in front of it.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the recessed sides of the fireplace is built in bookcases. I think it would look really nice with two chairs (or a setee and 2 chairs) facing each other toward the fireplace with a chunky coffee table in between. You could add side tables with table lamps.

Or, to go in a completely other direction... you could hang a striking light fixture in front of that fireplace space... I see there are several outlets nearby, so it would be easy to run a cord from the wall, up the moulding and to the ceiling. If you still opted for the mirror it would help reflect light into the room.

I'd probably wallpaper it, with a bold pattern.

Most period houses did hang a mirror over the fireplace. One would look fine there. You don't have to use a traditional mirror, you could go modern. If you did that, how about putting a modern sconce in each recessed area? Alternatively you could hang a large piece of art, lit by a picture light.

One thing, I would paint the walls a mid-tone tending towards dark. You have a lot of white moulding to lift it. At the moment, the black marble fireplace is too much of a contrast and looks like a black hole. A darker color would balance it more.

Experiment! Try a mirror, get one on CL or from another part of the house, and if you don't love it, no big loss..

I personally would hang a piece of art there. You have a beautiful living room, I don't think you could go wrong either way

What every you hang, make sure the proportion is spot on. Don't crowd the existing moldings, and if you keep it somewhat simple I don't think it will matter what the frame is on either a mirror or a piece of art.

My comment on a mirror is just remember that they reflect what's on the other side of the room/wall/etc... If there isn't anything interesting on that wall go with a painting. Also it looks like if you hung a mirror above there it would be a bit high to look into so maybe a painting is the way to go.

And I LOVE your wood floors!!!

I think that a large, frame-less, round mirror would work well above your fireplace. And I agree with cyberval, that darkening up the walls would do wonders for the overall appearance of the fireplace (cheaper than swapping out the black marble). Looks like you have the makings of a very beautiful room; the floors look amazing!

A mirror or a piece of artwork would look great there. As long as it's proportional to the size of the space I think anything would work. You might think about painting that space over the mantel white; it would make the whole section of wall read as the fireplace/mantel and might help soften the focus on the molding.

Narrow bookcases to flank the fireplace. Put small lamps on top. I think that space above the fireplace would look fantastic with a framed piece of art with an art lamp on it. Little pools of light and color.

I was thinking a lovely 'Piccassoesque' painting but that would probably detract too much from the fireplace. I would add my vote for the the frame-less mirror

Perhaps put a temporary largish mirror there to see how you feel while sitting infront of the fireplace.

I would put a really large round mirror in that space. Preferably one with a some color or a pattern on the frame. It will open up the space and take away some of the starkness of those moldings. If you end up going with a square or rectangular mirror, get something without a frame.

You should also consider painting the square bit of wall above the fireplace in some kind of accent color (maybe a soft blue shade to bring out the marbling in the fireplace?). I think it will draw the eye upward and highlight the fireplace as the centerpiece of the room.

I think a mirror would look great. I would choose a round or oval (vertical) one to break up all those straight lines with the fireplace and the molding. I also like the idea of the frameless mirror. It's a beautiful spot!

thenestinggame.com

I would put a large, dark-framed, traditional mirror in there, to enhance the style of the house. If you use a dark colour, it will contrast with the wall and molding and be the focal point, which is what you want.

And since you need light, find a matching pair of lamps for either side of the fireplace.

2nd (3rd?) the built-in bookcases idea if you have the time/diy-skill/money for that. But I think that's only going to work if they're built-in, and floor to ceiling.

I agree something should fill up the space. You have high ceilings, detail molding, the beautiful marbled fireplace, and the rich detail herringbone flooring. Having the right mirror or art adds to the dimensions to the room.

Miminalism will not work, but a balance of texture or details will bring the richness that this room deserves.

I agree with jennysilentg, experiment, bring some art, mirror, even sculptures to the area. I would disagree with any pattern wall paper - you can't change it easily.

It is a great room that wants accentuated details.

first thing that came to mind, round mirror. I picture a large round mirror with no frame, and with that shabby antique look (like mercury glass)...that would look cool!

What about a mirror this style but with no frame?

http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2010/07/16/a-centsational-mirror.aspx

A round framed mirror would look great. I would also paint the wall behind it (in-between the mouldings) a deep rich color.

Un unframed painting

Wow, what a fabulous problem to have!

I think the answer to your question depends a lot on the style of the rest of your home, especially the furniture in that room. Are you doing modern with clean lines? Then maybe a large piece of artwork in that style with large, striking sconces that allow light to shine both up and down. Are you classic and traditional? Then a big, classy mirror with a simple frame, built-in book shelves on the sides would look really good. Or maybe buy a couple rolls of very luxurious, interesting wallpaper and do removable panels for the sides.

I agree with the other person who mentioned the black marble is a bit jarring compared to the wall colors, so whatever artwork (or wallpaper panels) you choose go for deeper, rich colors that will allow that black to sort of blend in more overall.

I agree, go with a round mirror. The highly squarish space is calling for something more organic.

Mirror is an option, but an expected on. I only put up a mirror where it reflects something attractive...what would be across from it?
Personally I would paint that area white, to continue the fireplace area as focal point. Then I would place Large (as large as mantel would accommodate) vases, jugs, boxes on one side of the mantel unless you're into symetrical matchy matchy.
Sconces that are large and long on either side, ir smaller ones above interesting wall art that is long and fills the area with color.

I like the idea of a bold mirror or piece of art. If it is bold enough to hold its own, then you don't really need to fill in the sides of the fireplace. Sconces on either side would work nicely too.
Looks like a great space to work with!

There seems to be some support for bookshelves in the recesses. I don't agree because the recesses are very narrow. I think the horizontal lines of bookshelves will fight with the vertical lines of the mouldings. Besides, you really wouldn't be able to fit that many books here and it would make the whole area look very busy.

The mouldings themselves look far more linear than the average older home mouldings. I would not obscure them with lots of stuff.

If you put sconces in the recesses, you can match the metal of the sconce to a fire screen that would lighten up the fireplace. That together with art or mirror over the fireplace and perhaps a couple of objects on the mantelpiece would be enough on that wall.

If, on the other hand, you want to de-emphasise the mouldings, you could paint them out by painting them the same color chosen for the walls. I think that would be a pity, but some people like that look.

I think darker wall paint, a beautiful, colorful abstract or maybe floral painting that leaves about a foot of space all around to the moldings, but NOT a lot more than that (fill the space!), and nice sconces on the sides would be perfect. Mirror would be OK, but very expected. However if the room seems dark, it would bounce light around. Framed to suit the style of your furnishings (plain for contemporary or casual, more ornate for traditional.)

Agree with Magmel regarding sconces on the sides of the fireplace. Then you could put tall plants or topiaries on the floor under them. Those would be great because they can be decorated seasonally. Or you could go with slim fabric hangings with unique hangers of some kind. They can go almost to the floor.

I almost always recommend hanging art over a fireplace instead of a mirror. The reason is that mirrors represent water in feng shui and hanging it over the fire essentially douses out the fire element. Art on the other hand energizes! If it's not in your budget to get an original piece of art, consider getting your favorite family photo or other photo printed on stretched canvas via a giclee printing company. Just google it.

I think the trick is that the moulding serves as a type of frame, so stick with a mirror or piece of art that either has a simple frame or none at all. A large, simple mirror would work as would a bold piece of art on a canvas.

About the idea of lamps on tables - it looks like this is a natural traffic path - there's a door on the left and one on the right, I think. If you put lamps on tables, they will very vulnerable to getting knocked off.

I think you'd be better off with art - a scroll, a long narrow picture, three small pictures, stacked - in the narrow side niches. Put lighting over the art, which will also illuminate the room.

As for the area over the fireplace. Why not buy a couple of mirrors and try them? Return what you don't want.

I think an unframed painting would be nice, with some vases/candles on the ledge. As for next to the fireplace, two small tables would be fine, or you could get two upholstered stools/storage cubes and use them for extra seating.

A big round mirror with a gold frame would look great. Maybe a starburst. Buil-ins on either side are always the obvious choice but it's true yours would not be very deep (plus you'd lose those gorgeous moldings). Would it look weird if the shelves jutted out a couple of inches past the fireplace?

You could also put a huge potted plant/tree where you have that table now and a stand-alone bookshelf on the other side. Use wall sconces instead of the lamps.

The molding makes the room too formal and elegant for a frameless mirror. (How is it that people now want frameless mirrors in formal livings rooms, but insist that everyone rip down the mirrors stuck to bathroom walls because framed mirrors are de rigueur?)

A framed mirror or framed art is called for, big enough to occupy the space but not big enough to crowd the molding. You'll want to avoid white/pale frames, but many tones of natural wood will be fine, as will gold, silver or bronze gilding.

I like a lot of the round mirrors that are out there, and I bought one for my dining room, over one of the five fireplaces in the 1900 Queen Anne I owned until recently. It was a mistake. It always looked too dynamic for the setting, as if the mirror were about to roll away, plus it left unwanted little voids on the mantel where the lower corners of a squarish mirror would have been.

I agree about the suggestions for sconces.

If the two of you have taken this long to decide to settle what to do here, it might also take forever to choose a painting that you both like, but a big piece of art would be the best thing you could offer a visitor to your pretty room.

We are renting an old house that has a frameless mirror that takes up the whole space, then I propped a medium sized framed painting to one side of it and smaller framed sketch in front of that with a small figurine grouped with them and a vase of cork screw willows on the opposite side.

Someone wrote, "The molding makes the room too formal and elegant for a frameless mirror."

I completely disagree. A frameless mirror cut to fit the entire space would be fabulous -- the moudling would become the mirror frame and it would be gorgeous.

I see people make the "matchy-matchy" mistake all the time. If you deconstruct fabulous rooms, you'll see that it's CONTRAST that makes each individual item look amazing. E.g., that blue chair looks *wow* with orange pillow or rug. Or that fussy baroque desk screams chic and contemporary paired with a Ghost chair.

Another idea: paint the wall space using a color from your design palette to frame the mirror. You'll want to have the painted "frame" area be the same size or slightly larger than the width of the moulding, e.g, if the moulding is 8", make sure that you allow an 8"-10" color border around the mirror.

But for the love of god, please don't put fussy gilt or carved wood frame around your mirror!

I agree that a frameless mirror cut to size would look awesome. If you decided not to do a mirror (mirrors just seem so predictable) I think it would be fun to hang one of those felt wall pouches filled with succulent plants (I guess this would depend on whether it's a functional fireplace and how hot it gets in that spot). At any rate, mirror = safe option no matter what size or shape or frame you choose, and something else might be more fun. The space is gorgeous by the way, lucky you!

Find someone to install a custom mirror to fill the entire area above the fireplace and add trim around the edge to make it seem like it has always been there. You'll have a giant mirror that reflects lots of light, and if the spirit ever moves you to put something above the fireplace you can set it on the mantle while still having a giant mirror.

Because you have so many rectangles going on right now with the moldings you may want to place a more sculptural peice in that spot. As an example: http://www.jonathanadler.com/Jere-Urchin-Sculpture/?cat=585&initial= Or if you are set on a mirror because of the sparkle and light it adds to the room you may want to try a sunburst style (or something nit quite so ubiquitous) :) I also like the idea of a super awesome wallcovering that speaks for itselfwith some nice tall mantel vases. Good Luck!

I wish I had this kind of design problem: pre-fab design in a beautiful space with endless possibilities. I'm perplexed why people get so stuck on this kind of thing. My initial response is, "A mirror will only work in this space if it will fit inside the molding." Tongue-in-cheek, yes. But when you have so many options, why are you angsting over whether or not a mirror will "fit" in this space? So instead my recommendation is:

- Paper the panel insets with a classic pattern - Paint the center one an eye-catching color
- Hang a collection of small mirrors or art pieces in the center to make this a real focal point
- Don't be afraid to try something bolder than you think you would like

A statement isn't a statement if it doesn't say something.

Just popped by to say that @lydiechan's idea of hanging a collection of small mirrors or art pieces would really really look amazing..

I'd go with a starburst mirror like the Kirani from Horchow.

I would love to see a vertical, wall garden somewhere in this, because they are beautiful.

I second the big oval mirror, but really just have fun. If you don't plan on using the mantle, small picture frames would also create a nice personal mosaic.

I do not really like the idea of ceiling to floor built in book shelves because the depth is wonderful, yet small book shelves (fit into the molding) would be an idea– that way you can hide your outlets and put a lamps and plants on top.

what about a really big flat screen tv??

(ha ha ha ha)

Definitely put in sconces either side of the fpl right where you have the lamps now. Then underneath the sconces you could go with a couple of large Chinese pots for a plant or etc.
I like a mirror over the mantle b/c then you can load up the mantle with candlesticks when you want to and then the reflections in the mirror doubles the light. Just use real beeswax and they won't drip or release as many particulates into the air. Nice space to work with!

Can't believe I'm suggesting this, but I think a mirror with no frame, like in bathrooms would be perfect and would allow you to put some more ornate accessories on the mantle.

Not sure about the mirror situation but I'd put an upholstered bench in front of the fireplace to add more seating and an unobstructed view from (I'm guessing) the sofa you have that we can't see from the picture. LOVE the room & the floors! Good luck!

Over fireplace: A painting that you love! Make sure you get a picture light over it to direct light down and wash over it to show it off. Then add sparse accessories, crystal, silver or glass on the mantel. Both sides of fireplace: custom inset mirrors floor to ceiling. This will create even more height and bounce light all over the room. It may even visually expand the room. Or if you can find two matching thin ornate mirrors that cover 3/4 of the length of those sides (not sure what width you are working with there) in those spaces it would be stunning. Add the two tables and different lamps on them. Love the bench idea too possibly in a contrasting color?

It seems like this is space already defined by the moulding frame, so what you put up there should be strong enough to stand the full focus of attention that is being drawn to it. But I think what you hang up there could be anything you really love whether it is a painting or a piece of rusty metal you've found. I would also put some special objects on the mantel that relate in some way to your framed object. This is your home and the things in it should be special to you and give joy

I can see a beautiful painting over the fireplace and tall narrow bookcases on either side. Or you could paint a bold color and hang a round mirror to offset all the vertical lines.