Why not leave the mirror alone and concentrate on what you're putting on the mantle itself?

Sooooo... what's your question??

If the back has a wooden framework,the ideal way to hang something as heavy and large as this is actually with a 'cleat', not wires. Here's an explanation of how to do it: http://www.ronhazelton.com/archives/howto/homemade_wall_hanging_system.shtm The hardest part is getting access to the right saw to cut the 45 degree angle. Otherwise its very simple. The frame you put on it will likely cover the gap the cleat makes between the mirror and the wall.

I agree with Terry! I like how unfussy and utilitarian the mirror is now. Perhaps be fussier with what the mirror reflects? I do like what appears to be a small Dr. Who telephone booth, but everything else.... um.

Doctor Who has a police box, not a telephone booth. Ok, I've said my peace ;-)

Add a beautiful gold frame around the edge and it will look like it was meant to be there!

I have the same thing going on in my rental, although mine is mounted flush with the wall with brackets.
I put empty gold frames of varying size perched on the mantel, along with some other things. Works for me, the mirror is a bit abrasive on its own.

This is totally unrelated, but aren't we supposed to have begun the Home Cure at the beginning of June ? I'm so disappointed... I was looking forward to it, and the AT team was supposed to be working on it. There's no point in doing it now that the entertaining season is about to begin.

About that mirror, I'd keep it as it is, and concentrate on putting together a more cohesive vignette. Right now, you have unrelated objects; maybe a collection ?

You could use window decal material to create a "frame" without moving the mirror at all. Like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62330380/baroque-picture-frame-set-vinyl-wall?ref=sr_gallery_21&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=frame+decal&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

Or you could just build a real frame to the mirror's dimensions, and prop it over the mirror. Again, no need to boost it up (which I frankly wouldn't try, especially since you're renting).

I would put a nifty stencil around the edges and just spray paint on. Then when you move a quick round w/ a scraper would take it back to the orginal blank mirror.

http://www.mirrormate.com/

Wouldn't bother to move mirror in rental. Stick cheap wood or fiberglass molding strips over edge to give effect of frame if you need one. They also sell metal colored simple edging strips online that are made expressly for framing wall mirrors, if you prefer a modern look. Think they were featured here on AT a few years back, or google them up. You'd also be fine to leave as is and focus on mantel, as suggested.

Yes, you could frame the mirror with lightweight framing attached with tacky putty. But I agree with others here...concentrate on what you are placing on the mantle. Larger, chunkier pieces to anchor with a cohesive color scheme. Think large candles, vases, bowls or glass jars filled with glass orbs or something that adds to the overall color scheme and interest. Or tailor it to whatever you are interested in, such as beachy items, travel items, whatever.

Just put something tall in front of either end of it -- lamps, silk flowers, empty vases, candlesticks--and don't bother about the top edge, or just use a stencil or something cut from frosted contact paper for a little interest at the center top if needed.

You have a large, apparently heavy, beveled mirror on your mantle which does not make for easy, cheap DIY solutions. Therefore, if you want to change the mirror, be prepared to expend significant time and effort to fix it. This is what you need to do:

Measure your mirror including its thickness (with frame) and bevel width. Take the dimensions and a picture of the existing mirror and mantel and visit some professional framing shops. You will need to inquire about availability and cost of framing the mirror and sort through some potential frames.

If you find the cost palatable, ask to borrow some frame samples you like, bring them home, and after clearing your mantle of the other objects, experiment with different styles until you settle on a frame you like.

Once you have settled on a frame and price, get some strong people to help you remove the mirror from the wall and transport it to the shop. When the project is done, ask the shop if they will deliver and rehang the mirror for you. If not, get the strong people back to help you rehang the mirror.

While the mirror is down you will need to install the wall hooks higher on the wall as your modified mirror will now be 6-9 inches taller and wider. Make sure each hook you use is rated for more than the redone mirror's total weight and anchor them to wall studs if possible. Mount the hooks so the bottom of the new mirror frame hangs at least 4-12 inches above the mantle surface.

The redone mirror, perhaps in a wide, gold or silver gilded frame, should be a beautiful addition to your living room.

Good Luck!

I see you already have candles in front of the mirror... I'd leave the mirror as is would clear everything off and place an asymmetrical row of round pillar candles in front of it. When lit the candles would look good with the reflection behind, and it would bring that warm fire element out of the fire place and into the room more. Simple, but it could be a beautiful effect?

I was going to say make a diy frame out of molding, but just clicked on the mirrormate links everyone is posting, and it's basically the same thing. Just depends on how handy you are...

I have a similar problem except instead of a mirror it's a TV. I've never liked the TV-over-the-fireplace look, and it's especially odd for a dining room. Wondering if we should just unmount it and sell it. A mirror is much easier to work with!

I think it’s important to have the top of the mirror tip in a little, maybe three quarters of an inch to one and a quarter of an inch. This will bring more life to the room especially when you have guests over. My grandmother lived in an old Victorian home. The mirror over the fireplace was built in and was tilted in a little. The gap behind the mirror was filled in without any frame. The room felt magical to me as a child. Just a thought.

It would be really cool to place several interesting an empty frames in a collage in front of it and let the mirror show through them.

You could make stencils (birds, flowers, butterflies) using window film that looks like sandblasted glass. I've had success with Gila window film. Or, use low tack paper (contac paper) to cut stencils or a fun temporary frame. (http://preview.tinyurl.com/67fzthz)I also suggest you mix in some tall pieces to raise the eye -- thinking big wooden candlesticks.
While I love the DIY frame idea and have posted a how-to on Brooklyntwig.com http://tinyurl.com/63f5ub8 It can't be done because the bottom is sitting on the mantel. Have fun with it!

Remove it and a) hang it higher so that it's not resting on the mantel, or b) store it away and hang your own framed mirror or artwork in its place.

if you are lazy (like me) and want it to sit flush with the wall without changing what it is hanging from, hot glue some sort of spacer on the back in each upper corner. i used old thread spools--you may need to look around for something that is the proper size. you could cut a dowel to the correct length if you can't find anything else that works.

AT staff: why do your comment instructions say 'URLs will be converted to links' when they never are?

I also have a vintage, beveled, frameless mirror over my mantel, but it's not as big as yours (I wish it were). Mrsyow has a good suggestion if you're dead set against changing the wires that anchor it. That way your mirror would reflect something nicer than the angle of your ceiling.

If you decide to hoist it higher, you'll need to figure out whether that wall behind it is plaster over studs or plaster over the brick of a fireplace. If it's brick, you'll need to drill into it with a masonry bit and use big sturdy anchors with screws to hang the wires on.

If it's plaster over studs, there's two possibilities: either you'll have studs conveniently centered to where you want to hang the mirror, in which case you drill into them and use long screws again (not nails! don't nail into plaster); or your studs will be off center, in which case you'll need to use cleats like someone mentioned. Take a good look at the backboard of your mirror and make sure it's strong enough to firmly attach a cleat that will bear its weight; a 1/4" hardboard or plywood back won't be, I'm sure. Either way, overengineer your fastenings. Better safe than sorry with something that size.

Bepsf is right - instead of futzing about with this heavy, ungainly mirror, just take it off the wall and store it somewhere safe, then replace it with a lighter mirror that better suits your style.

Agree, that is a GB telephone box, Dr Who has a police box (which is blue, not red)

This is something easy and cheap, since you're renting and the mirror isn't yours, try painter's tape. You can get it in a variety of colors, it won't mar the mirror and it's easy to remove. You can get it in different widths and quickly make a deco look (with only basic cuts from a craft knife) or you can make an elaborate boarder by cutting out shapes. DON'T cut on the mirror, instead, lay the tape on some wax paper and then cut into desired shapes and patterns. Hope this helps - it's non-destructive, not permanent and it's lightweight.

VELCRO MOLDING ONTO MIRROR...8-)