you can use the clock, mount it about 6 inches off fireplace, than add some items to the mantel. the room looks great btw! or try to find something that is simple. there isnt much color in this room. maybe adding some accent pillows would give you something to work with in a scale for the painting....

I like your clock and the location and the story that goes with it. How about adding 3 chunky black candle holders of varying sizes to one side with white pillar candles and a colorful vase on the other. Not wanting to clutter the mantle but just add balance for the clock. Years from now you will think of how your honey bought that clock to surprise you: the time of your life!

@flair: good ideas! The husband and I don't really agree on painting styles. I generally like impressionistic while he goes for the more serene landscapes. We haven't agreed on any canvases that we can afford. We also looked at objects'decor for the wall, such as a garden-style/half moon mirror but he hated everything I thought might work. Don't know how we've made it 44yrs together!

Re: the clock location, did I mention he drilled a huge hole/anchor to hold this light-metal clock? Alas I will have to live with its location for a while.

Re: color, I purchased red buffalo checked curtains and 2 coordinating pillows, yet to arrive. Presently there are brown pillows that came with sofa to coordinate with the piping, as well as two red ones. They seem to find their way from the chairs to the other side of the sofa for someone's headrest. Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!

@rainy The ceilings in my old home of 30yrs were just about 8' high. I was thinking of pillar holders and a vase but wondered what size/scale would work with this ceiling? Also the color. I was gifted the white candle lanterns that are on the hearth (housewarming gift/yes a play on words so she said), but was concerned the two colors wouldn't work. Don't have anywhere else to put the lanterns and would offend gift giver if not displayed at least for a while. (Figurines on mantle could find themselves somewhere else.) Thanks for suggestions.

Keep the clock for now,don't break his heart! LoL.

Here is a couple of visuals, they may not be your style,but you never know.

That looks like my brown sofa and all my pillows! I like the white built-ins along side the fireplace; how would that work with a slanted ceiling? Where would I cut the height? I LOVE the idea of many clocks; wondering if they all need to be working? So many choices, so hard to decide!

Hi Aida - no they certainly do not need to be working! Ignore the slanted ceiling - I did not even notice it. Do you have an architectural salvage yard nearby. They sometimes have old schoolhouse clocks and other objects. Just keep them in the same family.

I think the clock us an interesting piece, however I think a nice built-in shelving unit connect to a chimney box with a newer looking mantle piece with a change of colour on the wall would look smashing!!! Check out my design books for ideas

Hmmm...not sure what you mean by chimney box. Do you mean build out the wall over the mantle? This ' new construction' townhouse was built four yrs ago. Previous owners needed to relocate and never got to paint; the entire home was builders shabby white base coat. The new paint job was done 3 months ago (other walls are painted BenMoore's Shaker beige while the fireplace wall is Alexandria beige). Doubt the husband would go for any structural changes/new paint job. I like the idea of bookshelves flanking the fireplace. I have seen some pics on Houzz where there are built-in book shelves the same height as the mantle. I wonder how that would look here?

If you built bookshelves on each side of the fireplace, where would you place the chair? The arrangement you have now looks good in your photos. In my experience when you do a new project in the home, one thing leads to another. I'm laughing about the major anchor bolt your hubby put on the wall to hold the lightweight clock. Sounds so familiar.

If anyone asks about your clocks not working,just tell them your living in the moment(saves on battery's) !
On the question of bookcases,I like your room as is,and I think rainymorning has a point where would you place your chair?

I think the clock is a great piece but it is out of scale to the wall it is on. Find another wall to hang it where it would feel more at home.

You definately need a framed picture over the mantel but you don't need Original artwork or canvasses. I go to Michael's or some other local craft store that does framing. Buy a cheap poster that is a reproduction of original art and have them frame it. May only cost $300-$400. If this is still over the budget, then hit yard sales and thrift shops. This will -take time and a lot of legwork to find something you can both agree on.

To fill the space in the corner between the sofa and fireplace, I would suggest a corner curio cabinet. If you have lots of knick-knacks or collectibles acquired over the years, this would make a great place for them to find a new home where they can be admired

Well i guess the bookcases got a few chatting...lol the dimensions of the room really have to be taken into consideration. The question should be is the room big enough to allow a bookcase 12" deep to come from the corner of the room to the side of a pop out that would Houzz the fireplace and would give aback drop for the mantle to sit on, while allowing the 2nd bookcase to come from the opposite side of fireplace to the corner. Then allowing two chairs to sit about 24-30 " in front of the bookcases, facing away from the built-in with maybe a nice decorative table between. However i am a Trim and Finish Expert and sometimes a room needs to start with something bold within in it and then toned down with the decorative items chosen to display on the cabinetry...Like the infamous "clock"....lol

Putting things on hold for a while. Our plan is to hit some flea markets and antique stores while touring fall foliage in the Pennsylvania back roads in a few weeks. Today I found myself at the Christmas Tree Shop; somehow the car just took me there, (at least that's what I told the husband when he woke from his nap.) I saw a few clocks that were quite inexpensive and similar to the pic provided by jacksplash. Came across a really nice medium sized mantle clock and wondered if that was an option to dress the mantle, as well as a couple of other small wall clocks?

Sure a mantle clock could work. Have fun as you explore the back roads . It will be a serendipitous adventure...hickory, dickory, doc.

Hang an impressionist landscape 5" above the mantel and add a real mantel clock with a key and chimes, no batteries!!!

By bringing in accessories to the mantle will help with a finished look.