I would never just completely discount mirrors.
I think the ones at CB2...going up rather across would be great and reflect different
lights and views. http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=589&f=4728&fromLocation=search
I have suggested a friend use them--two horizontally hung in his case and they are amazing. Would go vertical with two in your case.

A fire grate and logs in the fireplace would be nice...
...turn the mirror vertical, arrange the silvery votive holders in a row in the center, and get rid of Dad's Beer bottle...
...and put some clothing on that child! (UGH!)

The issue I'm seeing here is scale. First, the mirror. A round one would look nice. Or a piece of art the same size as the mirror you have now, but you have to hang it. Sitting it on the mantel looks unfinished. Then I would get a collection of vases and put those puffy flower type things you have in some of them. Separate them and have them at different heights. The last thing that really bugs me here is the white box in the fireplace that appears to have rocks on it. It looks weird and small. It just doesn't fit. Maybe get a fireplace screen, or a decorative fireplace basket.

The main thing to remember is just because you working in a small space doesn't mean everything has to be small in the space. If anything it accentuates the fact that the room is small. Good luck and I look forward to seeing the changed space!

I like the mirror. What have you thought of painting it? Maybe red or another flashy color that you use in your house? That'll make it sing.

The problem isn't the size of the mirror. The problem is what the mirror has to reflect. Using a mirror to "open up" a small, dark space is only effective when the mirror reflects something open, airy and light. Your mirror seems to be reflecting nothing but wall and ceiling and pot lights across from it.

If you don't have something appropriate to reflect with the mirror, hang a piece of art that is light and airy instead. Add some lighting on the wall where the mantel is.

"UGH" regarding a cute kid in a diaper - perhaps the child of the person who posted the picture?? This wouldn't be my choice for a pic that I was sending to AT, but this does not seem worthy of such disdain or disgust, at least not to me. I know the comment was directed at the poster, not the child, but I still think tact has its benefits if the intention is not to offend.

Pain the mirror frame black to match the rest of the accents in the room. It'll tie everything together.

Also, hang it above the mantle instead of just resting it at an angle.

I only clicked through this post because of the cute kid in the diaper :) adorable!

I'd hang a fancier gilt mirror up there. Find interesting objects to put on the mantle, but nothing may be better. Wait until you see something you would enjoy looking at every day. Put a fire screen up. Love the rug and the smiling child.

At Tandreams; well said. And at Applesnkids, I did the same; I wasn't sure if it was a real child or not. He looks so chuffed to be in the picture though, it's adorable!

That kid cracks me up!:) Chezzzze

I agree that a coat of paint, be it dark, white to match your trim, or metallic on the existing mirror and hanging it vertically would change the look. Also have you considered a pair of sconces on either side? There are some nice battery operated options out there so you don't have to worry about wiring.

An more ornate mirror like this one would look nice too.

http://velvetstrawberries.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/15/autumn_mantel.jpg

I'd paint the mirror frame black and then hang it above the mantel. I'd get rid of all the small things on the mantel, which are not the right scale. Instead, I'd add a tall, dramatic plant like an orchid or something similarly shapely. Place it off to one side and avoid the temptation to "balance" it with something similarly-sized on the other side of the mantel. Instead, add a vase or something that's a different shape and size next to the plant. Perhaps add a family photograph is an interesting frame. Finally, I'd put large white pillar candles inside the fireplace and get rid of the white thing, which is visually busy.

I think this looks lovely as is. Agree that at least turning the mirror vertically and hanging it would be small upgrades, and also agree that I'd get rid of the white box with stones. If you don't like the mirror a large painting or photograph would be nice, if art is in the budget. (Of course, that's not the sort of thing to rush out and buy just to fill the space, but if you happen to find something beautiful it would make the space more personal and interesting. Perhaps the mirror is a good filler until you do find something that really inspires you.)

You said that you feel like this space doesn't quite reflect the rest of your style, which leads me to wonder what your style is and how this is different from it, since we can't see the rest of your house. Since there's nothing "wrong" with what you have, and it's just a matter of making it reflect you more, it's sort of hard to give more commentary, except to say to incorporate more of whatever you have going on in the rest of the space. A bold painting or something brightly colored (like painting the mirror frame turquoise) would make the space look a bit more modern. If the fireplace doesn't work, you could choose to fill it with candles or stack it with books (or even use it as storage for a nice magazine rack or bar cart). And if light is an issue, you might consider adding a small lamp to the mantel or have an arc lamp curving toward it to reflect some light in the mirror.

1. Yes, mirror has to go. It you want a mirror, hang a large round one there. I hung one I found at an old furniture place above my fireplace - it was framelss, with just a bevel at the edge. Looked great. If you can't find frameless, a frame will work - but simple, not terribly ornate. You could also hang a piece of art - big, bold, and not conflicting with the other colors in the room would work. I like your yellow walls and white mantel - don't change them.

2. It looks as if the fireplace is woodburning - from the dirt on the stones. Even if you haven't had it checked out and don't use it for that, a decorative iron grill with a few logs would look good. Or, a copper vat filled with something - like pine cones - or something else - that the small boy can unpack and reload...something on that order - and not white - but natural finish and color.

3. Forget the puffy things. Go with the idea above of a few larger things on the mantle - the orchid, pic, or vase ideas were great.

I generally agree with lorint - a round mirror would be nice, but if that's not an option, just hang the current mirror rather than leaving it on the mantle. Also ditch the non-living child, which is out of scale for the space, and move the barcelona chair so that it isn't intruding on the hearth.

Clear all of the current objects off the mantle and experiment with other items. Look for themes in colour or material. Try strict symmetry and see how it looks - those puffball flower things in matching vases on either end of the mantle might look quite striking. Otherwise just play around with putting objects up there in different orders and see what looks "right".

Angela here -- Thanks everyone for the suggestions! To clarify a few things: the fireplace insert (the white box with stones) is a gas-burning fireplace insert, and functions. We don't love it either, but are stuck with it for now. We just turned the mirror vertically and agree it looks better, but might still be too big -- if we hang it, it would only be a couple of inches from the ceiling. And as for our "style" ... heck, how does one answer that? Modern sensibility, tailored to a 1930s-era tudor, with some ethno-kitsch thrown in, and a lot of toys. Thanks again -- keep those suggestions coming (rest assured we'll be clothing the boy, post haste)!

Your kid is doing a great job sprucing it up!! Look at that smile!

The statue of the little boy is so lifelike. Where did you get it?

Just kidding. I love Tudor homes - can we see more pictures? Your rug and brown leather chair are fabulous. More of that.

The curtains and the militant African statue are competing with that worn, loungey vibe. Less of those.

And Rody the horse does not belong in the living room. Send him to me!

Oops - and I agree with wall paint. Pick a color that complements the stone and it will make both the stone and the fabulous woodwork pop.

I'd go with a Farrow and Ball like Mouse's back or Fawn.

For my own fireplace mantel, I went with a black metal standing votive "panel" in a vine motif (bought after the Teresita wall panels I was eyeing for another part of the room had been discontinued by Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel, whoever), flanked on each side by two cherrywood-colored bowls from Vietnam (which pick up an accent color the nearby coffee table).

Because the votive panel goes up only so high, farther up above that (but with enough "breathing room" in between), I've got some small circular Pottery Barn mirrors, spaced out across the length of the area. In addition to bouncing the light around, they serve to reflect a three-piece vertical artwork on the opposite wall, hung above the sofa.

All that seems to work out pretty well. I've got the combination of repeating colors in the room; the asymmetry of the vine motif combined with the symmetry of the bowls and the mirrors; the candlelight when wanted; and the reflected light (and reflected artwork/color) from the mirrors.

QUESTION: By the way, slightly off-topic, but if Angela happens to see this message: do you know/recall the paint color/brand above and to the sides of the fireplace? I keep looking for a sort of soft candlight color for my hallway walls. Thanks!

What an adorable little boy! :-)

And what a promising room to work with! (love the rug, chair, fireplace and curtain)

Now, on to your design dilemma...

As-is, the mirror is not too big, rather, it is too small. And, as everyone points out, the wrong proportion -- it should be vertical. It may look a little off to you because it may indeed be too narrow for the space when turned vertically.

If too narrow, you can consider adding a sconce on either side of the mirror. I would propose the Wall Sconce by John Saladino:

http://www.saladinostyle.com/#/section/view%20lighting/furniture_id/36

If you want to contrast the more historic quality of your fireplace, then I would suggest Artemide's Acheo.

If you don't go with sconces, I would suggest a a lamp on the mantle, which always creates a sense of cozy comfort (of course, given that you have a young child, I would channel the cord in housing along the side of the fireplace, and discretely paint it out, so that it could not be tugged at or pulled down).

I would put just one lamp -- either John Saladino's Tube Lamp

http://www.saladinostyle.com/#/section/view%20lighting/furniture_id/34

Or, Artemide's Tizio in black (regular size, not small).

Your mirror is may not be exciting, but it is handsome, and can coordinate with various items... an antique wooden tea chest (in pear wood for example), or other interesting small box(es).

However, I do have 2 suggestions for you should you REALLY want to get rid of it...

First, a mercury glass mirror from Ochre:

http://www.ochre.net/en/display.product.php?accessoriesID=accessories&productID=a23

Next, as a departure, but something still bright and shiny that would throw light around (and would definitely be interesting to look at):

http://www.ochre.net/en/display.product.php?accessoriesID=accessories&productID=a02

Either one of those would be brilliant in your space; the silver leaf panel in particular recalls early John Saladino for me (early '80s), as he also did similar pearl square panels. Lovely.

Now, for accessories -- I cannot get Ted Muehling's candlestick holders out of my head when looking at your fireplace. They are simply exquisite.

http://www.erbutler.com/?ktype=17&m=3

A less expensive knock-off were the cast/bronze Kavali candlestick holders at Crate & Barrel, but they are gone... (maybe Ebay?)

http://reviews.crateandbarrel.com/7258/8991/kavali-hammered-candlesticks-reviews/reviews.htm

In addition, I would suggest a small huddle of Rina Menardi's elegant and extraordinarily coloured ceramics (red? turquoise? purple? green? or even white or black... or raku...)

http://www.rinamenardi.com/modules/portale/pers/emotional/emotional.php#img/oriz/E_09.jpg

And finally, as a poster wrote earlier -- the yellow walls do nothing for your gorgeous fireplace. Definitely repaint with a Farrow & Ball paint in a stone colour. There are many options... Lime White, Dimity, Off White, Old White, Slipper Satin, Wall White, Stony Ground, Fawn... Big word of advice though: get real painted colour cards from Farrow & Ball, as they look nothing like the samples on the monitor...

Good Luck! (and great room!)

p.s., in a stone coloured room, Saladino would have added a little wisteria, perhaps a wisteria velvet coloured chair... (maybe some pillows?)

My first thought is "why isn't anything in FRONT of the mirror?" By gathering your things at the edges of the mirror, you're framing it in such a way as to make it more prominent.

Find another mirror or hang this one, and then experiment with groupings that include items in front of the mirror.

I agree with everyone else: hang the mirror, or find another mirror and hang that one. And I think the problem with the stuff on the mantel is that it's roughly the same color as the mantel; it blends in. You need some stuff on there that will contrast and pop out; maybe something the same warm color as the rug, or a strong blue?

Do you really want to improve everything? Just get the kid out of the picture.... done!

No, seriously..... Keep the mantel white, cover all to the ceiling with slate tile... and hang your tv. Simple, organic and modern... without too much fuzz.....

And seriously.... get that kid away from the fireplace.......

I'd go with the mirror vertical. Spray it a silver leaf color of silver. For the walls I'd go dark, some gray/raisin type of color. They sell high temp paints for wood stoves, I'd paint that white box dark gray or black and just use a fireplace screen in black iron to set the firebox off a little from the room. Reflected in the mirror is an electrical ceiling box covered. If you need extra light, ceiling pots are great, but track will do the trick too. Downlighting the mirror will also help to send light into the room. Keep the child just as he is, perfect!

Cute baby! Nevermind the "UGH" from bepfs, he's a notorious negative nancy. Posts wouldn't be the same without his griping. We're actually having a handy-man hang a heavy mirror over the fireplace as I type, and I was ready to submit this very question!

I stood books along my mantel and organized them in color order ROYGBIV style! It looks great and guests can peruse our titles for interesting reads! You can see it in the background of the birdcage photo in this entry on my blog: http://jeezejulia.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/our-handmade-christmas-2010/
or in this entry: http://jeezejulia.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/what-a-lovely-thursday/

Can I suggest using a multipanel mirror approach?
Like this: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/eagan-multipanel-mirror/?pkey=cwall-mirrors

Or a bunch of smaller individual mirrors lined up like this: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/mirrors/set-of-2-dubois-mirrors/s504017

Also - take away all the small accessories - they look like tchotchkes because of their scale and lack of cohesion. Put the pom pom things in one or two larger ceramic vases. No clear glass.

Oh, and the live kid is a keeper!

Keep the mirror, you need to hang it, keep the boy, get rid of all the other junk and you will be able to see a plan.

I agree with hanging it vertical, it will make your room seem a lot bigger.

Meant to say round mirror I hung was big...centered between mantel and ceiling, just a few inches to spare each side...4-5" max...anything smaller would be too small. Only in my case it was centered between picture rail molding and mantel, if I remember correctly.

get rid of the half naked kid. why do peeps with kids think everyone wants to see their scantily clad offspring.