If you angle the mirror it will reflect what's lower. You need to put the screw eyes for the wire about 1/2 way down on the frame so the mirror leans out a bit at the top. Then you won't have fan reflections.
Or how about a couple of un matched big heavy brass candle sticks and an old wall clock hung just at the level so the bottom touches the mantle?
I had, but gave to my daughter a lovely pair of heavy brass church candlesticks that would have been perfect.
You can decorate with old salt glazed pottery with some dried stuff....with a grouping of Roseville pottery or if you are really into less formal and more primitive, how about a collection of old speckled enamel ware?
Linda C

We had similar circumstances - brick floor to ceiling fireplace, rough wood mantle, artwork looked too busy with the brick, etc.

I have a friend who has great tastes and is totally honest with me, and while out shopping we came across a mirror that is more like a piece of art than a mirror, and we both decided this was the one. My husband has our camera at his office, so I don't have a picture.

Our ceilings are tall, so that helped with the size of this one. It's approximately 45", trimmed in black metal/iron. The artsy part is that it is divided in sections by distressed bronzed leaves? The center is a bronzed smaller solid round piece. Yes, it reflects the ceiling fan, which is beautiful and has similar colors, so that's no biggie, because you're more drawn to the mirror than what it reflects.

Sorry to be so long-winded. I guess my suggestion (short-version) is to perhaps look for a round mirror that has more character or is more like wall art. Check out Uttermost mirrors and ironwork - they have a great look to them and you can find them at decent prices. (I don't know who made my mirror, was bought at a local shop.) Don't give up and good luck!

Hi Jaybird: How tall are your ceilings? Good luck with this. I might have some thoughts if I knew what space you have there.

I have the same problem here with the raised hearth and firebox, though I have no mantel and no place to put one. I hung a mirror above mine and it drove me nuts as you couldn't see in it. Angling it is one plan, but you still might not like a mirror up there.

Things to put on fireplace mantels other than mirrors, tin stars and pictures:

- vases either empty or with live or dried flowers
- candlesticks
- glass
- potted flowers or green plants
- clock
- decorative plates on stands
- small lamps
- figurines, sculptures
- books
- a mantel scarf
- a wreath
- antique toys

Make a symmetrical arrangement for a more formal look, and an asymmetrical arrangement for a more casual look.

Linda...as usual you have an idea that would be perfect in our home....I just have to hunt up some candleholders. My church had better guard it's candles :^)
Wodka, the combination on your mirror sounds perfect! The reason I don't really want to reflect the fan is it is an industrial model and not very pretty. If I can find (or con my brother into creating) what you are talking about, that would be neat too!
Claudesw, I have 10' ceilings in that room. The rest of the house has 8' but there are steps down into the den, which gives it more height.
Thank you all for your time to help me out!
J

Here's an Uttermost Elgin arch - 55" w? - not a mirror, so you wouldn't have the reflection of your fan to worry about. The black would look good against your brick? Just an idea.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Uttermost

We actually have this one in the "wood" stain hanging over our bed. It's beautiful. I love the black/zinc one that I could have easily hung over our fireplace, if we didn't already have one.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard Designs

Oceanna...we cross posted..thank you so much for all of those ideas...now I have to study the list!
Wodka, that Grande Bouquet is beautiful!!!! I will have to save up my shekkels and maybe get it in the fall.. Thank you!

Wodka, I love Ballard Designs, a store just opened in Tampa, its fun to go and see the stuff.

My suggestion would be a tapistry or piece of fabric to look like a tapistry hung on a decorative rod, with a chunky tassle hanging on each side of the tapistry (on the rod) and possible trim out the bottom of the fabric in fringe. By hanging a piece of pretty upolstry fabric you can customize the size to fit perfectly. A friend hung one on a two story wall, wish I had a picture...I will search for one.

Hi Jaybird:What styles do you love, and what do you have in the rest of the room? You have already received some great suggestions. Since you have four feet or so you have lots of options and here are a few more to lengthen your list! I like the idea of fabric. How about a rug?

Okay now to really go out of the box (okay since I am not a cat)Sometimes you can find beautiful hinged screens that are three or four feet high--I have seen those on the mantel--could be lacquer, Japanese painted silk, wooden, covered in fabric or even metal or painted. How about a metal hanging sculpture or to be really different, a waterfall? (yesI saw that recently!)

Jaybire, you're welcome. You might want to go take a look at the Gallery... specifically the Living Room and Fireplace threads... for oodles of gorgeous visual inspiration.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gallery

Jaybird... In my previous home I had a similar set up... 10' ceilings in family room / 8' in kitchen with step down to FR. I placed a 42" round mirror over the mantle. (It was actually 2 half rounds and I hung one upside down beneath the other.) They had a decorative grid over the mirror for interest. I then purchased a 42" round coffee table for in front of the sectional, which "mirrored" (LOL) the mirror and added cohesiveness. Although I couldn't see into the mirror from the family room, I COULD from the kitchen because of the step down. I personally LOVE mirrors and use them for their light reflective quality more than their people-reflecting quality. I don't think you need to always see into them.

This photo shows HALF of the aforementioned mirror and also the coffee table. Alas, I have shorter ceilings here and could not repeat the effect. I miss it a lot.

Good luck!

{{!gwi}}