You could try it but it might make that wall heavy looking. I would just lean a mirror against the wall on top of chest and see how it looks. Return the mirror to store if it is not working. I think the style of the mirror must coordinate closely with the cabinet.

Parma, this cabinet you want (very pretty) and the mirror would fit inside a niche, is that what you're saying? Having the mirror inside the niche is what I can't picture. Can you take a photo of the niche area for us? Thanks

I like the cabinet very much. I guess I would still think of it as a china cabinet or china closet, kind of arts and crafts or prairie styling?

Instead of hanging one mirror over it, why not hang a grouping of smaller mirrors? That would give you the dimension that a mirror would provide, but a more interesting, less mantel mirror look. Also, a mirror up there may not reflect anything interesting. A grouping of smaller mirrors depend less on the reflected view, and just bounce light and offer dimension.

Parma, I love that piece. It's not only gorgeous, but very versatile as well. I think the right mirror hung just about 3" to 4" above the top would be very nice. The mirror would have to be in the same arts and crafts / Prairie style as the cabinet ( framed in wood)
There are a few options, a smaller mirror with a couple of prints ... or a larger mirror maybe 48" wide x 24" high.
I love mirrors because they reflect light, and brighten the place up. I have mirrors all over in my kitchen, family room, living room and dining room. All are positioned to reflect light, widen spaces, and none are positioned to reflect human images. What I mean it, you don't directly walk into a room and see your reflection staring at yourself, (heaven forbid)
Good luck, again I love the piece. :) Joann

Thanks everyone!

These are pics of the whole area. The niche is in the last pic. The rug is already under the table and the new chairs will be the white ones with the round backs (four side).

I'm going for eclectic but I'm afraid the sideboard? that I have in my original post might be too relaxed for the space. That's why I said "not necessarily the piece, itself". There's just something about the size of it that we like. The extra height without being a traditional tall china, so we can add something above it. The DR ceiling is 9 ft.

The DR will have white crown added and, of course, window treatments. It's open to the LR. The spaces already have black, white and wood. The chinoiserie coffee table is, unfortunately, too big for the space and will be replaced by two square, metal coffee tables with glass inserts on two levels.

We just purchased this piece. It's a little bigger, about 68 X 68.

http://www.stanleyfurniture.com/product/135338/7806100025/_/American_Perspective%3Cbr%3EServing_Hutch%3Cbr%3ELight_Woodtone

clt3, that's a beautiful piece. I saw they had one with legs that looked great, too. Thanks.

Unfortunately, the niche is 63" wide. *sigh*

Parma, since the ceiling is low in that area I'm thinking it might look too crowded with the mirror on top, and that could be because it is a niche and the wall is set back. Sorry for being absolutely no help. I do love the cabinet though.

I see that you've got a pot light right above the recessed area. Can that be angled to feature a great piece of artwork (which if you don't have, you can work on collecting over time)?

If not, i think a mirror would definitely add dimension to the room, and the cabinet you're toying with is very pretty.

Hmmm, I forgot about the hutch in the space (yes, I still wish you would move it to the niche by the door, LOL).

I am not sure if it wouldn't be too similar in feel - another china cabinet, in essence. I think I would be looking for more of a curio cabinet effect, one that is all glass front and sides from top to bottom. You have a number of closed cabinets for storage, so it doesn't seem that you really need the closed storage in the space.

Something more like this, and then you don't need anything above it:

curio

Parma, as I remember you were going for a French country look and the cabinet you're considering, while very nice, does seem to have more of an arts and crafts feel. Since you already have two solid-looking cabinets in the room, perhaps something more open would be better. A bookcase, perhaps. I think books give a wonderful feeling to a room. Is the lovely little sofa part of a seating arrangement? If not it might look very pretty in the niche. Or, keep the piece you have there and use the top for a display of blue and white faience pottery, which would give a wonderful focal point to the room. By the way, I love your chandelier. Absolutely perfect for the look you're trying to convey. I wonder though whether it would look more integrated with the table if it were hung a little lower. There are some guidelines about how high the chandelier should be above a table but I don't recall at the moment what they are.

It really would solve a lot of problems. What I have there now is a lesser piece. It has a black granite top but the edging of the stone is a weird kind of grey. It's 41" wide.

The corner china isn't quite tall enough to cover the top of the strange niche in the foyer, but I suppose we could camouflage it somehow. It would have to be moved for the crown to be installed, so maybe I could make the leap, then.

The piece in the DR alcove, now, is the matching buffet to the corner china. I was either going to get rid of it or move it elsewhere. The smaller chest to the left of the LR sofa is an old antique piece that can be moved and we still need a table or chest between the two LR side windows.

Yeesh, why am I looking at more furniture? I just want a nice look for the DR niche and DH is complaining that he wants something bigger in there. I want reflection or at least, something special.

You guys are great! Thanks to all of you.

We were cross posting Ingrid. I didn't mean to ignore you.

The pic of my chandelier looks different than it does IRL. It is actullay 30" above the table. One set of rules recommends 30" for an 8ft ceiling and 33" for a 9ft, so mine is lower than it's supposed to be.

You have many interesting ideas. My love of French country has had to take a back seat to the reality of the bones (what little there are) of the house. Eclectic will have to reign. The original pic of the cabinet was for size and shape.

Estreya, I'll have DH look at the light and see if it can be angled. Good idea.

What I love about GW, so much, is the number of ideas that get suggested. I can get bogged down and uninspired very easily.

Okay, Parma....I peeked quickly this morning & saw your post but didn't have time to reply.....

I was not *feeling* the lines on that above piece with your gorgeous table! Then I was glancing at a magazine & saw a pic where a designer used 2 console tables out of these old crusty wrought iron pieces with marble on top - you could use whatever - but I see these wrought iron pieces at antique stores quite often & thought - that's it - to go with Parma's gorgeous table & new chairs!! I will try to take a pic of the magazine later ( not much time today) Quick google search came up with something similar...
{{!gwi}}

I still love Les' idea of moving the corner cab to the entry & yes, you could disguise the niche with something. Just try.....Then hang a gorgeous tapestry on that angled wall. Mirror above console in the alcove reflecting light from the window.

Smiles:)

How difficult would it be just to add a piece of drywall and close up that oddly placed niche? Then for sure you would not have to worry about it.

I love the dimensions and shape of the cabinet.. and it would be so versatile. It looks like it would be at home in a DR or a library-- and I love all the storage options. I need something like that in my kitchen!

But back to you.. I love your eclectic mix and the feel of your whole space. I am one of the few (only) who thinks the corner cab should stay where it is. I think you need the height variation there and if in the entry I think it would look like the function was mispaired with the space.

I am not sure about the mirror. It wouldnt be any different than a mirror over a tall fireplace except that it isnt really in a focal point location (and the table is such a great focal point). I say find your buffet piece and then see what works with the room as a unit.

I love the idea of a piece with ironwork somewhere in the LR/DR but it would have to be just right-- an antique or unique piece. I do think it would add some great interest and texture to the room.

OK so.. I am offering nothing but opinions on everyone else's suggestions and providing none of my own. See how I am?

Hey Parma, glad to see you're getting juiced again about things! And that you're even willing to mention moving the corner cab. (but I wouldn't say anything about it... ;-)) I had not seen the entry corner before. But now...oh boy, Les is right.

I really like the piece you showed in the first post. It is unusual, and that counts more to me than "if it goes" with everything else. Remember, real French Country is a hodge podge, collected over time, yadda, yadda. I know you know that.

Have you seen the piece in person. It seems to me that if the wood isn't too distressed, it could hold its own with your style. I always think about how changing the hardware might shift something stylewise. Maybe a little cut glass knob (not too glitzy) to pick up the drops on the chandy. Need to bring it up from rustic, if in fact that's where it is.

I don't think I'd like a big mirror over a heavy piece in the niche. Too much weight packed in. Maybe a couple of candelabras or candle sticks and greenery -- tall but still open. I think it should pleasantly fill the visual space above the case goods, but not be too visually heavy.

On second thought, maybe a round mirror would work...picking up on the round table. With an airy frame....maybe metal like the chandy. I just think you need something a bit lighter over a chunky piece.

Of course, if you use something light like Scooby suggests, then you could do a bit more above. I can see a chunky mirror with a stronger frame, buffet lamps and all that jazz. Or just fab art....my personal preference.

I hate to be a PITA (when am I not?) but I think you should get settled on the corner cab before making any decisions about what else to do in there. If you do decide to free up those walls, you may find a buffet type item you like better, being unrestrained by the size limits of the niche.

Let me start some more trouble...have you seen the sale at Pierre Deux? I think the Francois Library table would look nice in your house....anywhere! And it would fit in the niche. I can also see a baker's rack in the niche...but I suspect you may already have one elsewhere.

Have you seen the piece in person. It seems to me that if the wood isn't too distressed, it could hold its own with your style. I always think about how changing the hardware might shift something stylewise. Maybe a little cut glass knob (not too glitzy) to pick up the drops on the chandy. Need to bring it up from rustic, if in fact that's where it is.

I agree 100%.. and while I wasnt loving the idea of the mirror Amy turned me around with the thought of a round mirror. I can totally see it.

Amy, I've admired the PD piece before and, no, I don't have a baker's rack because there is absolutely no wall space in the kitchen area. I do have an antique library table in the basement that needs some work. It's walnut but my mom painted it green.

Scooby, thanks for thinking of me as you're reading. :) That's what makes this place so special. Night before last, I was looking at a local paper's home section and thought of another poster's window problems. I just need room to showcase something, especially if I move the corner hutch.

Another problem I have is to figure out what and how many many of my things to display. If I move the corner cab to the entry, it probably would look odd to have any kind of dish/glassware there. I have a collection of Terre e Provence pottery and have now inherited my MIL's Austrian Crystal which is all MCM in style. That, coupled with my own mother's white, black and gold china, make for an interesting mix, to say the least. It was suggested that I have some white dishes to pick up the white in the new DR chairs.

I think it would be nice to have something tall with open display space like a welsh dresser, hutch or bookshelves.

How about something like this bookcase by Stanley in white to play off your chairs and trim. It would look almost built in (it's 62.75").

{{!gwi}}

or this open hutch from Hooker Furniture

I am curious about the walnut library table painted green--if it doesnt require too much work and the green is right, it could work really nicely in one of your spaces.

I was also picturing a welsh cupboard/hutch kind of piece in the alcove-- but the ones I have seen have had huge price tags..

You really have inherited a wide style range of dishware/glassware! LOL I would love to see some vietri in the mix too. ;) When I first saw your chairs I thought of our shared love of vietri.

Vietri

Heeeeee I know, I know. I am a evil woman..

but you got me back. I had pretty much decided to go with the Good Earth Pottery instead of the Vietri (for now, at least) but your photos sent me back their site again..

and now I am undecided again.

I hear you funky. 'Undecided' is my middle name.

Now that I've seen these four Vietri patterns again, each one would give a different vibe for the room.

Like bella's new post about changing styles, it seems that whenever you make a decision about one piece (in my case, the new chairs) everything else is up for grabs.