Is this picture too big for the space? Seeking a little design advice.

Question

I have been watching this picture since last year and it finally went on sale.  I rushed to purchase it - so thrilled that I was finally getting it!  I put it up on my mantle, where I plan to hang it ... stepped back and thought, 'geez ... that's much bigger than it looked in the store'.  It's HUGE!

Now I'm torn.  :-(  I love the picture but I think maybe it is too large for this space. I have 9 ft. ceilings.  What do you guys think?  Too big?  Can I do something to make it work? (not raise the ceiling of course)  Flank it with sconces or something?

Dee W · Answer

If possible:could you mount your t.v. over the fireplace and put your picture on the adjoining wall?  I see you would need to re-arrange yor furniture but I too am smitten by the picture and would love for you to be able to enjoy it.

Dee W · Answer

Another idea: maybe darken your fireplace so the two blend together better?

Susan S · Answer

@Teresa:  No it isn't too large. I  agree w/Dee - I think it's the contrast between the stark whiteness of the fireplace and the deep color of the frame and the print itself is darker.  The basic rule of thumb in accessorizing is that anything on the wall should not exceed the width of what your decorating over.  I wouldn't attempt to put anything else on the wall beside it but you do need to add some interest to the mantle  Once you do that I think you'll see a big difference/  Try some brass candlesticks in various heights - taller one on the outside - shorter ones to the inside but also make sure the height is tall enough to come maybe just shy of half way up on the height of the picture.

Dana · Answer

It's a little large. I don't like tv's over fireplaces myself, but that is an option. I think a tv would distract from the beauty of your firelpace. A mirror in a similar style may work. http://www.simplymirrors.com/wall-mirrors/ornate-wall-mirrors/uttermostvitalianowallmirror385wx49hin.cfm

Dana · Answer

Of course turn the mirror on it's side...

Donna McCrummen · Answer

Yes - it's too big.

LaVonne P · Answer

I agree, it too big, but its a very nice picture that would look nice somewhere else without another focal point so close. A grouping of pictures would be nice above the fireplace

Cynthia H · Answer

It looks really large but, I think it might look a tad smaller without the packaging.  That said, what if you painted the frame to match the wall or the moldings?  I think if you painted it the same color as the wall, it would seem smaller, if you have your heart set on keeping it there.

Lisa S · Answer

You have a beautiful fireplace which is the focal point of your room which should stay that way.  Altho the picture is a nice one, it is very large and too big above the fireplace and the two are fighting each other for your eye When you look at them together, you don't know which to look at first and each takes away from the other... I wouldn't put anything above the fireplace except for a mirror perhaps an antique one with smoky glass or any kind in a frame to scale with your fireplace which would be maybe 1/2 of the size of the painting.  What about putting the picture on a different wall where it can be enjoyed without any competition from the fireplace? The mirror will also make your room look larger.  I bet you can find a great place for that picture.

Becky H · Answer

Susan has made a good point regarding 'contrast'.  Another thing that, in my opinion, makes the picture a tight squeeze is the moulding overhead.  You'll have to do a terrific job of lining that picture up to hang it perfectly over the fireplace.  However, if you do hang it there, have you considered using an antique stain on the mantle to emphasize the moulding on it?  Then, perhaps use the same color to the very top of the mantle (shelf).  That way, your mantle could remain a light color w/the dark stain tying the picture in to better coordinate.  If the mantle is an 'untouchable', then I would hang the picture across from the sofa, moving the tv to the mantle.  Just my opinion.   8-)

Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc. · Answer

The picture is too large Teresa. You suspected this & were correct.  Why not use it somewhere else. The fireplace is lovely & I can tell that your home is.

Molly F · Answer

I guess you would have to add some chunky candlesticks and maybe a wideish vase of flowers for some balance - sorry it doesn't look as you hoped. Anywhere else you couldd put it?

Cheryl F · Answer

Isn't it nice to have confirmation that your gut feeling was correct? Yep - too large...But, the arched picture inside is kind of interesting, and not a bad size :)

Therese C · Answer

Just a thought..the center of the fireplace..right below the mantel..has some hidden detail just screaming to show up. Maybe darken the fireplace on the detailing and hearth to counter-balance with the picture? Maybe even add a very light touch of smoky gray to the fireplace and then darken the hearth? This would bring balance and your beautiful picture can work in harmony with that lovely fireplace. Good luck and remember..it its your eye that you need to please!

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Love both the fireplace and painting, but painting is to large over the mantel.  Besides you need to have family photo there.    If it was only two thirds the width of the mantle, then I would say yes.  Just a bit to large for my taste.

Susan S · Answer

Well . . . .I still don't agree that it's too big. I just think some finessing needs to be done.  Why don't you live with it for a few days, maybe go ahead and add some other accessories to each side on the mantle. Leave it alone and get out of the room and just forget about it.  (yeah right - easier said than done, I know)  Then when you do walk back in the room see how it affects you then!!!  They say if you really love something, you'll find a way to make it work!!

P.S. I think it's the whiteness of the FP against the darkness of the frame - no cohesisveness!!  Get yourself some antique stain and take the white down a tad!!

Romona · Answer

I am not a interior decorator but you have a very nice picture and fireplace. I think together they are competing. Maybe some smaller groupings over the fireplace or if you can try darkening the fireplace like others suggested. It will most likely, then hide the detail.

Jan Britt Interiors · Answer

Yes, your picture is to large. Your fireplace is so beautiful.  Your pictue is so large that it overwhelms the fireplace.

Dee W · Answer

I agree with Susan-if you love it you can make it work..be patient and in a few days you'll be bursing with ideas to try.  I like the idea of chunky candlesticks also-that Molly suggested, maybe even only on one side-hanging your pic slightly off-center.  Another thought was maybe you could replace your mantle with a slighly longer one?

Teresa D · Answer

You guys are just awesome!  Thanks so much for the feedback!  I'm trying to live with it there for a few days and see what happens.  So far, each time I come in the house, I think to myself, 'wow ... that's a huge picture!'  That's not the first thought I want to have when I look at it.  It kind of dwarfs everything else in the room.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to see how it works in the dining room before the week is out.  I don't want to take it back.  I've lusted over it too long.  lol

I like the comments about doing something with my fireplace.  Not sure why I hadn't thought of that.  I like the antiquing idea and maybe even changing the color of the hearth and/or mantel.  Hmmm ... another project.  Thanks again you guys!

Susan S · Answer

ummmmmm . . . .I STILL say it would work!!  LOL

Teresa D · Answer

lol Susan.  I haven't totally abandoned it.  I meant to mention that I moved my furniture around today to see if it makes a difference.  We'll see!

Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc. · Answer

You can adjust & change things for color, but scale & proportion do not change in stationary architecture. I love the idea of using it in the dinning room & painting the fireplace.  Aren't you glad you asked! More projects....

Jeanette S · Answer

Beautiful painting, but too big and too stark a contrast with fireplace.  If you love it, move it to one side of the fireplace and lower it.

Dee W · Answer

Good luck Teresa-loved meeting you and hope you'll let us know with pics how you decided to resolve this
.

Leslie D · Answer

I think it could work.  I see the main problem is that the dark color of the painting on top, and the light fireplace, makes it look ':top heavy'.  Excuse the rudimentary drawing,  but I wanted to show that by simply putting somthing large and dark, on each side, and extending something to bring the two together for height, I think it could work.  This helps make the grouping work, imo.

Marg C · Answer

I still don't believe it's too big.  I imagine the fireplace the color of the picture frame...then adding something on either end of the mantle.  It would be the focal point of the livingroom which is what the fireplace is meant to be anyway.  The painting is beautiful by the way.  Here's one more thought....Can you have the picture re-framed to something that is not so wide?  Then I think your problem is solved.

Susan S · Answer

OMG - Leslie I love your drawing!!!  I had to laugh - just because it was sooo ingenious to do this on top of Teresa's picture.  Never seen this done before!!  I am definitely in the minority here but I still maintain it's the stark contrast of picture frame to fireplace (partly) but I think you have a really valid point to add more visual & physical bulk- and it adds interest instead of the whole thing being so perfectly symetrical & vertical!!  It'll still be symetrical but the eye will travel from the left up to the picture and then back down to the right!!

Leslie D · Answer

LOL, I'm not an interior designer, but I am a builder and scale comes into play a lot.when balancing architectural features.  I love a large piece over a fireplace, and I honestly think it's a color/balance issue, not size.

Marg C · Answer

I also agree!  love you drawing :)

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