First let me say the placement of the fireplace/windows is wonderful, especially with all the gorgeous moldings/architectural details/archways. Everything comes together so nicely.

IMO, a green plant with leaves that fall gently from a planter would be more attractive. The emphasis seems to be too vertical, making the mantle look bare and plain. I also think the planters are too high, with the ceilings being low. It looks to be a very lovely room. ;o)

I agree that the planters are too linear, and I think they add an overload of symmetry to the space. I like Patty_cake's suggestion for a gently falling/flowing plant, but I would balance it on the other side with a different object - perhaps one or two (depending on their size) large, chunky candlesticks.

OK, thanks for the suggestions! Trying to use what I have, and I happened to have those two planters. :)

I agree that a softer, flowing plant would make more sense and look better, even if I do use the planters. I picked what I did because it was a very tolerant plant needing little light and water. LOL Didn't think about getting anything flowing.

I don't have chunkier candlesticks, so I would probably lift what I have with books (have plenty of those) and try something else on the other side. I have another smaller planter and can get another low flowing plant.

BTW - The ceilings are not that low at 9'. The higher mantle may make them look lower, though.

First let me say your room is so warm and cozy already. Beautiful detailing with all the molding and arches. I agree that they are too linear also. They seem to be dwarfing the painting also. A plant that cascades would be good such as a philodendron (needs little light).

Another suggestion for a plant that might work well in that lighting would be an ivy. I agree that you need something less linear in this lovely setting, since you have the linear lines of the corner columns, fireplace wall and windows already. For more softness, a cascading plant would be more attractive. I bought some ivy just two weeks ago to put in a small planter on my bed table, and have been amazed at how quickly it's grown just in two weeks.

What a lovely room... so warm and inviting... My second impression... too much symmetry... two arches, two matching tables, two marching lamps, two matching frames, two chairs, two plants... I think it needs to be "messied up" a bit by bringing an element of surprise... You got good suggestions: a plant and a chunky candlestick (or a small ensemble). I think it is time to go shopping for something unique that will catch your attention...

Just my two cents...

....that's snake plant. It grows 3' tall. I really like your taste in furnishings, classic!.....great symetry! Lovely room!

The plant looks like flames, kinda goes with the fireplace theme. :)

But I do believe a softer plant would look much better. What about a topiary?

I think two tall candlesticks on one side, one sword plant on the other side may work, but the little box just doesn't seem in scale in the middle. Maybe off to the side with the candle sticks.

Could you raise the painting a few inches so you can put a larger more substantial box in the middle?

I love the painting, but it's the focal point since it takes up the majority of the space, so I'd either leave the mantle fairly plain and let the painting be the main thing your eye goes to, or I'd get a smaller print or even a round or starburst mirror that will take up less space and let you have more area on either side of the mirror to do a grouping of something more substantial.

No more shopping...I have enough "stuff." I've already changed the mantle somewhat. I'll take a photo tomorrow.

PS - I do like symmetry. :)
Thanks again!

I like your planters - very pretty and the color is great. Have you ever seen pics of a topiary/moss ball sitting on top of a planter? I'm in love with topiaries right now and think something like that might be nice. Maybe you might like these?

(I just posted the boxwood for lovetoshop in her post of where to buy green balls).

There are times I like symmetry and I think with your mantel this might be one of them. Right now I'm doing the same thing with mine.

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/greenberryball1.html
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/boxwoodballs.html
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/boxwood3.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Greenberry, Boxwood balls

I have to say ...I think it is a lovely room and I do think it is warm and inviting. However, I agree completely with l mtl that there is just too much symmetry. No, actually, it isn't that there is too much symmetry, but too much repetition. For example, you can have similar heights of lamps which give you that "aaaah" feeling of symmetry BUT maybe different lampshades, which provide you with visual interest.

I read in a decorating book once that the author liked to think about being in a room sick (well, that part wouldn't be fun!) but having to stay on the sofa for 30 minutes, looking around the room. She said this was her "test" to see if there were enough interesting things to look at for that period of time.

arapaho-- THANK you for that site. Wow. Love the prices!

I agree with the other comments about perhaps too much symmetry - it is almost the feeling of the two halves of the room being mirror images, so there is the sense that if you've seen one side, you've seen the other - and it becomes less interesting.

That said, in the end it is YOUR space, and many people feel most comfortable with everything matched.

What I would like to see is a round mirror in the center, instead of the rectangular art. It would pick up the round medallion in the center of the mantel, the framed round pieces in the archways, and also echo the arches creating a pattern of three, which is not only pleasing to the eye but will break up the two-by-two effect of all the symmetrical items. It would also open up the top of the mantel to allow for the use of larger items there.

I would take the two potted plants and put them on the hearth in front of the legs of the mantel. And I would stay away from the little items you have been putting up there - you need larger candlesticks, or a collection of vases of varying heights.

One other thing that I wonder about. The tables and lamps in the alcoves look nice, but don't appear to be at the right angle or place to be useful for those chairs. I wonder what would happen if you angled them beside the armchairs. I think you would still have symmetry, but add another angle to the mix, and bring the alcoves into the room.

The other choice that I would think amazing would be to turn those alcoves into window seats.

"That said, in the end it is YOUR space, and many people feel most comfortable with everything matched."

Exactly!

The alcoves are there for a reason...to house my parents tables. I really think symmetry is the way to go in those spaces, but I have been looking to replace those lamps some day. Perhaps I'll rethink the matching aspect. Everything else in my house is asymmetrical. LOL At least the chairs are not matching, nor is the furniture on either side of the chairs.:)

There would be no way to get the lamps closer to the chairs, and they do throw off enough light if someone were to be reading, plus we have the overhead cans in the alcoves. The space is too tight to do anything else.

The painting has to stay, the color is perfect for that room and I have nowhere else to put it. Also, I don't think a round mirror or anything round would look good with the arches. Too much round in a row. Anyway, we were talking about the mantle. ;)

arapaho, I do have two topiaries elsewhere in my home. In fact, I have had them so long, that they are starting to be has been, but I do love topiaries.

les917 - I thought about the idea of putting the planters in front of the hearth, but don't you think that would just add to the overall symmetry? Plus, with the smaller planter I have added, I think that's enough. At Christmas, I put two grapevine cones (filled with fruit and pine) at the base of the columns. I may use the taller planters on my dining room table for now, until those plants start growing to 3'! (**)

Below is what I have so far. DH likes it and even got in on helping with the arrangement. Going on my mantra of "using what I have," this will have to do for now. :) The painting will get hung a little higher when I can get some help with it. Thank you all for the suggestions and comments.

Last night

This morning
{{!gwi}}

Wonderful! LOVE the dish in the center!

For the right-hand planter -- place a small plastic container upside-down in it -- that will boost up the plant to the right height for the size of the container.

Try switching the two books -- place the blue book on the bottom of the stack.

For a future easy change -- you could just remove the right-hand planter. Move the dish over to the side -- and simply place a small plant -- maybe an tiny potted herb like oregano that loves long trailing branches in the dish.

Another change for the warmer summer months -- switch to white candles! Fresh look and easy too.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I love what you have done with it this morning. I think it looks absolutely great.

Much better! As Jan suggest, boost the plant with a plastic container(thought this was *my* trick! LOL)

I would also like to see what it looks like w/books & candlesticks brought in a little, slightly in front of the frame, and bring the plant/box from the other side also. With things closer together, you wouldn't need the bowl~IMO, it looks like an afterthought.

In all honesty, if your mantle were bare it would still be a beautiful room. ;o)

Thank you, eagertopaint. :)

teacats - I'll change the books. Thought about coloring the pages, too.

OK, I thought the whole point of a small planter and plant was to reduce the height? Now y'all want me to boost it up??? LOL Actually, I haven't even planted it in the planter. It's just stuck in there, and I do use that trick often.

No more pics...I've got a busy weekend and will be away from this thread awhile. My sons coming home from college. First time to see him since Christmas. :)

"teacats - I'll change the books. Thought about coloring the pages, too."

Tee Hee.

It will be lovely no matter what you choose to put there, but I believe the picture could stand alone there with nothing on the mantle.

Or if you must, just the candy dish or just one plant. There is such beautiful wood detail around the fireplace that less is more.

What about putting the Sanseviera in each window nook? They do need lots of bright light and some sun because they're succulants. Those window nooks are perfect for each plant, and I love those planters!

You could put ivy in the planters instead of the Sans, and leave it on top of the mantel.

All I know is every time I look at your window nooks I drool! Oh, and those windows would be perfect for some flowering plants with Spring coming.

I am sorry to be a fuddy-duddy here but feel the plant and container it is in and the bowl are too distracting, however I DO REALLY love the book with the candlesticks on it, maybe changing the colors of the books a bit though, to a more neutral look. I just think the focal point is already there with everything else that is pretty (ex: painting firelplace. architecture, wall color) Less is best there. You already have plenty of pop and all the little pop just is too much IMVHO. My second choice is the 2 plants there with nothing in the middle at all. It is simple and less distracting.
Good luck.

I love symmetry, but I'd probably go for something more exuberant, like a very bright large Croton in a biggish urn on the floor next to the fireplace, thus repeating the colors in the painting. If it dies, get another one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Croton

Newhomebuilder, these decorating forums can get so confusing! ;o/ "OK, I thought the whole point of a small planter and plant was to reduce the height? Now y'all want me to boost it up??? LOL Actually, I haven't even planted it in the planter. It's just stuck in there, and I do use that trick often."

I think we all wanted to see a vine-y type plant in the containers pictured. Being the container and plant are both vertical objects, and almost the same size, it might be more visually appealing if there were a little less of the plant......or shorter container, taller plant. ;o)