WANTED: Decorating Advice!

I recently purchased these two beautiful mirrored chests to go on either side of my fireplace. Now the dilemma! What to put on the wall above them? I want to keep the mirror which hangs above the fireplace so that leaves me with the options of artwork, some kind of architectural pieces, vintage shutters, etc. What would YOU do? Thanks for any advice you can offer and PLEASE don't comment on the accessories on the mirrored pieces as I just threw stuff on there for sake of the photo. LOL! ~Vanessa
  18 answers
  • Jamala W Jamala W on Apr 05, 2013
    those are beautiful chests. I would go look for an elongated structural piece or maybe eve wrought iron. Hope that helped a bit.
  • Kim C Kim C on Apr 05, 2013
    I agree with Jamala, it needs to be elongated, how about some topiaries?
  • At The Picket Fence At The Picket Fence on Apr 05, 2013
    Thank you @Jamala W! I appreciate the input!
  • At The Picket Fence At The Picket Fence on Apr 05, 2013
    Thanks @Kim C!
  • Lori Gay Lori Gay on Apr 05, 2013
    I agree with it needing to be elongated but I would look at metal art work that would tie it all together and maybe add a splash of color to reflect off those chests.
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Apr 05, 2013
    @At The Picket Fence I agree it does need to move toward the ceiling. The suggestion of wrought iron is a good one. You can get inexpensive pieces at home sense in various designs. You could also do a numerous pictures as long as they move upwards. You may even beable to find a stencil to make a design on the wall that swoops upwards.Another thought I had was elongated plaster masks of some sort. I think this is something that will take time to find - don't be in a hurry. You may find some interesting pieces in a thrift store of some sort or a garage sale or craigs list that can be repurposed. You have a very unique style so be patient and try different things you find, just shop with an eye for how you can make something work. Good luck and do let us know what you decide along the way on this post. Thanks for posting :)
  • Beth McCurdy Beth McCurdy on Apr 05, 2013
    I personally would add some coordinating artwork on each side in order to add some color and interest. For me, finding the right artwork can take months/years for a space but it's worth the wait if it's what we love. Or, you could even make some artwork with color (so many ways to make cheap artwork!) I'm into botanical prints right now and that would be an interesting look. Artwork is so personal.... I'm not sure if you ever change your mantel but putting some items/artwork in front of the mirror would add some depth and interest as well.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Apr 06, 2013
    I think the fireplace being dark needs a little balance by adding something dark. There are delightful pieces out there that are not too expensive, or you can stain or paint something you have around the house. I am thinking along the lines of something sculptural...not a picture. Perhaps a grouping of small items a little asymmetrical each side different...browns, burgundy, rust...a combination...larger on the side away from the fireplace and narrowing toward the fireplace.
  • Kimberly Barney Kimberly Barney on Apr 06, 2013
    The chests are a wonderful find. I agree with the others that state you need to have a piece or a collection that will elongate the area on both sides of the fireplace. I also agree that the use of dark wood would tie in well with the fireplace. There are some wonderful fabrics available that could easily be stapled onto art canvas and framed. I found some wonderful French inspired fabric on the remnant table which I have put onto canvas for my entry hall. I am now in search of the right frames for them. You could also use wallpaper remnants for that project or a mix.
  • Camilla Camilla on Apr 06, 2013
    I would go with an intricate elongated scroll piece on either side except, I would do a stencil or even better a vinyl cut-out. Both are less expensive and more easy to change, alter or even add on to. Tradingphrases.com does beautiful work. Good luck and can't wait to see what you decide!
  • Tina C Tina C on Apr 06, 2013
    I challenge you to find something you allready own and put it there...this is extremely symetrical .. I know cause my whole life is symetrical. I am not loving that mirror it feels crowded... I visualize something botanical to soften the space.
  • Cyndi Moore Tippett Cyndi Moore Tippett on Apr 07, 2013
    I love your mirror, but I would elongate it and sit it on the mantel. I would loose the vases and the shades on the light scones. It will open up the space over the mantel and I would decorate the whole wall as one piece. I also would put something elongated on the beautiful mirrored chests, but not anything to glittered, maybe something with a dark color to anchor the mantel color to the side walls and up to the ceiling. I would also use something on the chests with a pop of color like lime green, pink, red, salmon, teal, etc. Other than the wood on the mantel, you almost have a monochromatic room. Jazz it up with something in your favorite bold color. Can't wait to see your finished pictures.
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Apr 07, 2013
    @At The Picket Fence I think @Cyndi Moore Tippett is on to something. I too like the mirror, with the classic placement it becomes more of an accent piece. I know you didn't want comments on the mantel pieces as they were only placement pieces for the pic.Not sure about loosing the shades as it may make the lights too bright and hard on the eyes, but with muted bulbs it may work or just changning the shades, once you have your accent colours figured out. If you accent according to the colours you want in the room as Cindi suggested on the mirrored cabinets what you do above is endless. Oh my! I think your job just got more complex. But I think you know what you like so take it one area at a time. Can't wait to see the updated pic :)
  • Becky Dunbar Becky Dunbar on Apr 07, 2013
    I agree, elongate the mirror, if brave, paint frame same as mantel. I'd remove the vases & sconces. On one end of mantel I'd place 3 pitchers, vases or ? that are different heights and somewhat sculptural w/ fresh flowers. Under the mirror, maybe a long wooden shallow bowl w/ 3 candles or personal items for a refreshing look. A few ideas for above your gorgeous chests: all elongated & architectural: Boat shelves w/ max. of 3 items on each "boat"..A plain long pic.frame with 2-3 framed caricatures hung inside for color & whimsy. Paint wide stripes on whole back wall. 2 on each side of fireplace & 2 above it. Four shadow boxes (2 ea.side) and hot glue flat same colored marbles in 2 unique designs. I dotted my designs w/ a pencil & then hot glued them. I can't wait to see your finished decor. Good luck.
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Apr 08, 2013
    I think painting the wall a little darker shade would make the mirror stand out more. I would change the shades on the wall sconces. You could go with a clear shade and spray them with Looking Glass spray paint which will give them a mirror finish and it will tie all your mirrored pieces together. On your mantle I would choose a color and pick some items in various shades of that color and do a grouping of large, medium and small pieces in an odd amount 3-5-etc.
  • Reposhture Studio - Kim Reposhture Studio - Kim on Feb 03, 2014
    I am going to go out on climb here and suggest that you remove the two tiny lights on the mantel and on the two tables and replace those with some beautiful matching chandeliers over each table. It will take up the visual space over each table, it will tie in with the mirrored look and won't be your typical vignette. Alos you need light cuz' Im telling ya to remove 4 lights so you need to replace them with something.The lights on the mantel look out of scale and I know it will mean fixing holes in your wall but I think it will also have the added benefit of opening up your decorating potential on the mantel by giving you more space and provide lighting in that area. just my two cents
  • The sconces are not doing a thing for that wall and maybe it is because they are too small or just blah. I would take them down spray paint metallic or I would find something with more crystal or bling to go with those two gorgeous mirrored pieces. If you change your mind about the mirror (unless it is reflecting something pretty which does not look like it in the picture)- I would find a favorite picture you have of a flower, pet, family or ? and have it blown up to a poster (Walgreen has great deal online for 40% off) and turn it into a black and white piece. If you have the cool software on your computer or smart phone put in a dash of color in the black and white print. You need big so it will go between the sconces and be the size of the mirror. If you could find a frame for it then spray it metallic to get some shimmer up there (or black to ground it). I would even do a multiple prints to go on each side of the fireplace above the mirrored pieces. You look to have accessories already and use those. Green plants would help too and I would pair up the accessories like those urn things on the mantle and put them on one mirrored piece and find another pair of larger accessories to go on the other. Limit accessories on them so they are the focal point not the accessories. Your trim looks white and if it is, have you thought about painting the mantle white too? Just more thoughts for you to think about. have fun because it looks like you are going for Hollywood glam.
  • Rose-marie Rose-marie on May 30, 2015
    how about matching a painting to your sofa etc. ? just get a large canvas, put dobs of white/cream/gold/deep ochre/ etc on it, spray with a light spray of water, . and push the acrylic around until you have an amazing abstrct work of your own colour choosing, add dabs of gold leaf here and there, and viola!, it eez bee yoo tee ful!