What to hang over fireplace?

Question

Right now I have a cream colored berry wreath over my fireplace. I will be getting the picture shown over my sofa ( that is a mock up so size won't be exact).

Do you think it still goes or should I change it? I don't want another picture I think it would be too much.  Suggestions and advice appreciated. I will post a few pics of the space.

Dan · Answer

I think, keep it clean. just the brick wall looks good but if still like to have something hanged I would consider an item not a picture or a nice framed mirror

William · Answer

The wreath is fine, but it needs a little color. It seems to get lost on the brick. I also would raise it a little. It is a focal point. It should be centered between the mantle and ceiling. You would be surprised what about 4' up would give height to the room. I counted the bricks!

Stephanie Fudge · Answer

A nice big mirrored starburst!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Personally I would change out the wreath for a more artistic feel. You can look for a wrought iron metal piece (not black) but a piece that would be a focal point and stand out.

Rita · Answer

I like Janet's idea, I have a candle holder with white candles on it. It is rather
large too so it does show up on my dark brick. I would not hang a picture either, the soot would only mess it up in time.

Rob lunt · Answer

I think a large mirror would do the trick, and i would lower the mantle piece a little

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi! I would actually consider taking the beautiful tree picture and hanging that over the mantel on the brick wall. Then add some accessories for the mantel- candles, lanterns, etc- in the same color scheme. That wall is so dominating and dark, you do need something to brighten and lighten it up. Since the fireplace is the focal point of the room, that is where you will get the most bang for your buck.

Recreate · Answer

I don't want to insult you, if I had the brick I would paint it and the brass. It would brighten up the room and give the mantle some great accessories. Laying picture frames inside one another, or candle sticks or glass jars with long stemmed matches.... the room needs a smile!

Rita · Answer

Hello, I agree the picture should be moved to the mantel. The bricks appear to be to dark and this will lighten that area. The picture also blends in with the wall by it having the same colors that's in the picture. Try a group setting of pictures with white frames over the sofa. Next arrange an area rug in front of the sofa with several color tones will add more drama. Do add at least two more décor pillows(light green/yellow/orange) to the sofa along with a throw laid across one end of the sofa. Get creative with your tray on the table lighten it up with paint. It looks greater when the colors has a contrast to one another. This makes the eye wonder from one point to another. The height of your accessories will create this image also.

Susan · Answer

I'd find a very large mirror.  Your brick wall is very dark and sucks the light out of the room.  A beautiful mirror would reflect throughout the room.  The scale needs to be large to balance your large art over the sofa.

Nancy Oden · Answer

you could look for some kind of architectural salvage piece....look at pictures online of decorative architectural pieces...old doors...signs..etc...depending on your taste...and go for a sort of shabby farmhouse look..or cabin look...if u dont want to spend alot..and you want to whitewash or paint the brick...either of those would be beautiful options i agree...just depends on your taste...

Barbara · Answer

I wouldn't paint the beautiful brick, it adds texture and dimension to the room. I would move the painting to the mantel to add color and a focal point to the fireplace. Photo's do help online suggestions, but can distort the natural lighting in a room, so balance the suggestions you find here with your own style and taste. I do like the other accents you have on the mantel.

Emily · Answer

as the wife of an artist I would not agree that two paintings is too much! LOL, however I also agree with those who think the picture would be better against the dark brick and also Susan with her suggestion of a mirror and Rita with hers of a grouping of pictures. Your lovely space seems to be to be formal and limited in decorative details. You must be true to your own comfort level.

Patti Britt · Answer

I would paint the brick in a heart beat. Someone in Hometalk did a fireplace makeover similar to your fireplace. It was spectacular. Rita's ideas for bringing more color into the room are great. Here is to a fabulous update.

Barb · Answer

Unless you hate the brick don't paint it! I agree that the pic would look great over the fireplace and do something else over the sofa, maybe a mirror? I would definitely paint the fireplace doors and surround black.

Jean · Answer

With that tree picture maybe you could find a metal (brass?) tree hanging of some kind - a big one. My niece found a huge brass starburst design at homegoods on sale that went with her décor to hang over her fireplace. It works so well! Look at pictures of the Cape May (NJ) Winery - they have a really nice metal tree hanging over their fireplace. Of course theirs was custom made and you won't want to spend that kind of money. Look on ebay and etsy for used items and keep an eye out at yard sales and thrift stores. I've been trying to talk my niece into painting the stone around her fireplace and she doesn't want to. The more I see it with that pretty sunburst the more I think she was right. GOOD LUCK!

Bren · Answer

I have a rather large clock hanging above my fireplace & I love it.   Don't paint the brick !

Spe1304906 · Answer

What about an old window or other architectural piece?

Cathy · Answer

Your picture would sure brighten up that fireplace---but I am one who feels that you can have more than one picture in your living room---definitely need something bright over the mantle--I am not a fan of mirrors though, but maybe an interesting metal sculpture--something that would catch some light .

Cindi · Answer

I love the picture and would leave it with the sofa, maybe add Sage and lt green pillows to blend with the picture. I'd leave the brick alone on the fireplace, and get a metal sculpture or a clock to hang above it, preferable brass to match the fireplace, if you like the brass. I like black fireplaces, but with the brick it might make it all too dark. You could also go all out and modernize it by tiling it halfway with drywall above that. Lots of options, depends on how much time and money you want to put into it.

Cindy Hagemann · Answer

Ever thought about removing that mantle and centering it over the fireplace? It would drive me crazy the way it is - if you remove it - paint it a cream color to lighten up the area, seems pretty dark and dated the way it is.

Linda Barrett Dirksen · Answer

How about a smaller version of the picture? Or some architectural  lighter colored piece, or a light colored clock....I usually love brick, bit this one to me is screaming 'paint me'! Then paint the surround an aged metal look...love the size of the mantel...then you could go with darker pieces on that wall that pop...darker metal architectural, or wood...or a large fun clock...we went through this too...kept changing it until we went...' Yes'! Good luck!

Vic C. · Answer

I like Cathy's suggestion of metal sculpture or silver, to attract & reflect some lights as it was too dark up there. or put 2 table lamps, one on each side to brighten the area and highlight your picture later, like this one from IKEA: http://bit.ly/1pvLpwD. Enjoy your makeover! Vic

Jean · Answer

This isn't exactly what I had in mind for your fireplace - something bigger and bolder and that looks more like the tree in your painting but it gives the idea: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/513973376193200882/

Mary · Answer

I know I had mentioned I did not want another picture but I came across this one that I like. What do you think of it leaning on the mantel replacing the wreath? Or is too much because of the canvas over the sofa?

Karen · Answer

How about a mirror instead of the wreath. You have to be careful what it reflects, though.

Ann Jackson · Answer

I agree with the first suggestion regarding painting the wall. That would so lighten the entire room. Would also lighten the mantle. This would totally expand that room. It took me years to paint my fireplace and mantle. It was amazing the difference this made in my room. Wished I had done it years before.

Ellen Hopkins · Answer

Rusty iron cog wheel   Architectural salvage. Local art from your area with a pop of color. Etc I like history in my decor.

Hrdwrknlady · Answer

I thought of painting the brick - something bright, maybe change the brass(?) around the fireplace too...just an idea

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Add a Long Mirror behind the chair may be?

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