The wallpaper is lovely, and that it's original to the house makes it fantastic yet the arrangement (with the fireplace, rug, columns, lamps, and other things) is just so visually busy; it's overwhelming.

I know it's blasphemous to even mention it but how cool would it be if that fireplace was orange...

I think there are a BUNCH of different patterns making it visually busy, but I hardly find it overwhelming. Just old fashioned.

i like the wallpaper.

I LOVE the fireplace, and I know how cheap it is to live in Indianapolis, as I live here myself and pay 550 for a 1200 sq foot town home in a brick Italiante built in 1887-- ah, the cheap thrills of the Midwest.

I guess what I mean is that the lamps are beautiful, the artwork is interesting, the Waters pic is fun but all of it gets lost with so much visual stimulation that I can't see the forest for the trees...or visa versa...? Anyway...

I do agree it does look quite antiquated. And while perhaps that's their style I my eyes almost hurt from trying to figure out what's going on.

What would I do...
Bold lamps. Something very graphic that offsets the seductive and ornate nature of the wallpaper. Perhaps bright white shades trimmed in black with black glossy bases... The artwork needs a better frame as it now looks very hotel-room. I would paint the owl orange to match the artwork (I know, again blasphemous to paint marble) and get a black fireplace screen that has no ornament, no detail, one that essentially creates a black void. And a less ornate rug...

But that's just, like, my opinion, man.

It should be noted that they have lived here for less than a month.

Although this is not my style, I like this very much.

very Domino

I like it!

I like that the wallpaper seems to be in keeping with the style of the fireplace surround (and thank goodness it's *not* orange!).

But they need to edit the collection of "stuff" on the mantle. It's too distracting and cluttered.

The lamps are great but they don't go with anything else, and you can't "see" them there. They need to be next to a dark un-patterned wall.

As to the rug, ditch it. It has no character and it's boring, plus the color is bland. A nice Iranian tribal rug with simple pattern and nice medallions would look great - like a Bakhtiari or Heriz, or even a Meshkin, one that's about 40 years old with mellow but still vibrant colors.

Otherwise it's pleasing, if not modern. But who says things have to be modern to be pleasing? Eclectic mixes rule in my opinion.

I had that exact same fireplace in an apartment in New Haven, CT (at least the marble-y part)! Very interesting--is it possible that that fireplace was the Ikea Billy bookshelves of the turn of the century?

Jenny -- The Billy analogy is very apt! Marble fireplace mantles of roughly that style were one signifier of a middle-class home in the third quarter of the 19th century.

It's possible to read subtle social distinctions in exactly how elaborate the carving is. For instance, that fireplace is pretty snazzy and was probably one of the more expensive models. There are much plainer ones that are just the same shape -- only with fewer and simpler carvings -- that cost less and were chosen if the homeowner had a bit less money to spend on decor.

Once you slip out of the middle class on the down side, the mantles are no longer marble but painted wood. As you move upwards, the entire fireplace becomes larger and fancier.

I love the look of this room - I don't find it at all busy - its just lovely - I like to think that the rest of the room is all ins hades of cream, gold and browns - I'm intrigued about the wooden pillars to the sides of the fireplace - are they part of built-in storage cupboards??

I also find it intriguing that the moment anyone shows anything with a flowery-type pattern people immediately say it is old fashioned - to me this image isn't olf fashioned at all - the wallpaper is a bold graphic design and with the clear lamp bases is very modern and striking

lovely

I missed this the first time around. This is lovely.

don't like it.
don't like the lamps there either. They disappear into the pattern of the wall. And there is no need for art to be on the mantle with all that business goin on with the wallpaper.

Fix it please. or your house will start attacking you in your sleep.

An orange fireplace would be hideous....Leave it, and the wallpaper alone.

Reminds me of the craze to "antique" everything about 30 years ago...or paint it "avocado"....or "aqua" or any other number of horrible trend colors.

Let the mystery be....

Really special. I hope you can light a fire sometimes.

msjessica read my mind.