Software
Houzz Logo Print
sas95_gw

What would you hang over this fireplace? Ideas?

13 years ago

I am in the process of putting together our living room and am stumped by the prospect of choosing something to hang over the fireplace area. Besides the fact that the stone runs the area of the whole wall, there is the issue that the stone is quite high as well. So many things that one usually hangs over fireplaces would be lost on this wall. Yet the wall with nothing seems pretty barren.

Since the room has a slightly retro vibe, I tried a large copper metal wall sculpture, but besides being the wrong size, the sculpture looked way too close to the stone in color. Luckily I was able to return it.

So does anyone have an idea of what could work? Size, shape, color? I'm open to any suggestions.

Comments (33)

  • 13 years ago

    A large round clock with a chunky black frame. One big enough to fill the space, but also bold enough to balance the stone of the fireplace. Lovely living room, by the way!

  • 13 years ago

    Maybe this kind of mirror?

    Here is a link that might be useful: round mirror -- bellacor.com

  • 13 years ago

    Sunburst clock might work too! :)

    Here is a link that might be useful: Maybe a classic sunburst clock?

  • 13 years ago

    Another clock .....

    Here is a link that might be useful: another clock ....

  • 13 years ago

    I would be looking for some kind of wall hanging in fabric, either a woven piece or even an interesting small rug. I think something with some color and texture and softness would be nice, and wall hangings were certainly around in that time period.

    Check e-bay for some period art, like stone/gravel art and macrame. I like this one:

    wall art

  • 13 years ago

    I fear a big clock will make your very stylish living room feel like a train station waiting room...

    So I vote for a sunburst mirror - something a little delicate and light, so it can be really big without overwhelming the wall.

  • 13 years ago

    silver mirror -- picks up on the silver lamp ....

    Here is a link that might be useful: another mirror

  • 13 years ago

    Metal artwork with enough colors and mirrors to stand out from the colors in the fireplace ....

    Here is a link that might be useful: metal artwork -- interesting colors

  • 13 years ago

    That's a lovely room and I would do a round or oval piece of ceramic pottery. Something big enough will probably cost in the 300-400 range. It will look organic (it is!), be original and never go out of style and probably increase in value.
    I think a sunburst mirror would look fine too but it is so overused these days, so boring but quite appropriate.

    One of my favorite potters is Bruce Odell. I have two of his pieces and they are stunning and large.
    He's a "World Champion Potter and 3 time U.S. Pottery Olympics Champion". What I can find of his on the web all looks somewhat southwestern but what I have and have seen of his, aren't that way at all.

  • 13 years ago

    I had found the same piece teacats did but she beat me at the post. The price is a little cheaper here.

    Here is a link that might be useful: mirror/ sculpture

  • 13 years ago

    what about something like this? There is a great selection on ebay - sorry I can't make this pic bigger without distortion:

    48.5"WIDE,34.25"HIGH AND 6"deep

    Here is a link that might be useful: Mid Century sculpture

  • 13 years ago

    I love your room. I don't mind it with nothing at all - I might paint that part of the wall a darker colour though.

    Do you have a shelf above the rock at all? I would do a sculpture of some sort on one side (off centre) if you can. If you don't have a mantle, a hanging sculture, off centre again. I like some of the mirror suggestions too (not starburst, unless you really love them). A mirror would have to be centered I think.

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you all for your suggestions! You have given me some things to think about.

    For the reason Bronwynsmom stated, I am hesitant to put a clock up there. I live just outside of NYC, and I fear the room would always remind me of Grand Central Station.

    I have been toying with the idea of a mirror, but would love to find something a bit more unique than a mirror.

    I love the idea of a sculpture. I had ordered this one below, but when it arrived it was all wrong, so I returned it.

    I had ordered two to go side by side. It turned out two was too much for the space but one was too small. Plus, the color looked really drab with the stone.

    I love some of the mid century sculptures on olychick's link. Jonathan Adler also has some mid century C Jere reproductions out now that I like, but they are expensive and not refundable (only returnable for credit) if they don't work.

    Sochi, there is no shelf there. I hadn't thought of doing anything off center, but that is a cool idea.

    The idea of a tapestry or piece of pottery is quite interesting, too. I'm going to start looking around to see if anything catches my eye.

    Thank you all again. If anyone else has any ideas, please share!

  • 13 years ago

    I think metal scupture could work, but it probably needs to be black to really stand out.

    I think a collection of something could be used to very dramatic effect, yet still keep it modern.....primitive terra cotta pottery on plain wooden corbels....colored glass on invisible shelves....wooden face masks....something that adds dimension and texture as well as visual imagery.

    Or for just as much visual impact, you can wallpaper the area above the fireplace in something dramatic and textural and then hang something to stand out from that.

    [Contemporary Bedroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bedroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_715~s_2103) by Boise Interior Designer Judith Balis

  • 13 years ago

    I was going to suggest as sochi did, paint the wall a different color to start with.

  • 13 years ago

    At the risk of lobbying for my own opinion, I still think a starburst mirror is what that space is screaming for. A big one. If you look at your photo (which is sometimes more useful than looking at the space itself), you see that the spot is a bit of a light sink. I would suggest that you combine Annie's idea of painting the triangle a deep tone from your fireplace stone, with my idea of the big round mirror, and I think you'll love the result.

    Please forgive my very low-tech way of illustrating my conviction...the color background is not a good match...but I think you can see what I'm seeing.

    Sometimes the thing that strikes you as common is because it's the best solution...

  • 13 years ago

    Starburst mirrors are readily available, so why not try it as bronwynsmom suggests. Return it if you aren't pleased. But definitely paint out the space too, a darker colour as shown above. That may be all you need, at least until you find something you really love for the space.

  • 13 years ago

    Thank you for the visual, Bronwynsmom. It made me see that at a minimum I should look at a change in paint color for above the stone as a first step.

  • 13 years ago

    I like the idea of the starburst or metal and bronwynsmom's mockup.

    The idea of a fabric wall hanging above a fireplace seems contradictory (if not hazardous) so I wouldn't go that route.

  • 13 years ago

    There are some very interesting pieces on Etsy.com.

  • 13 years ago

    The idea of a fabric wall hanging above a fireplace seems contradictory (if not hazardous) so I wouldn't go that route.

    I disagree. Anything can be secured properly above the fireplace. A beautiful textile mounted on a slightly raised wooden platform would be lovely.

  • 13 years ago

    I much prefer the paint color that you have, it makes the room look taller and wider but then I'm not real big in general on paint accent walls.

  • 13 years ago

    I sort of like the idea of a custom piece of artwork to widen that wall. The stripe isn't really what I had in mind - I think that's a bit much with the carpet... But something of that dimension, and probably abstract.

  • 13 years ago

    Have you visited our Fireplaces thread in the Gallery? There are a ton of photos of really pretty fireplaces in there to spark your creativity. Many beautiful surrounds plus tons of ideas on how to decorate on and around your fireplace. After I read this thread I put a new update at the end of the others, just for you. Enjoy!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplaces

  • 13 years ago

    I love the accent wall direction, but I'm not liking the round/sunburst shape there. It mirrors the lamp, but the room is predominantly rectangular so the sunburst mockups look like they sort of complete. Maybe if you could add more curves, through some pillows on the chairs, candles on the coffee table, etc?

    If you room had a less contemporary feel I'd think it was the perfect spot for some type of gallery mantel, but I don't see a "this and that" approach working too well in your space.

    As-is, I'd go with something that kept the lines of the rug and fireplace... just for example:

    Or maybe something that was rectangular (square, but we can pretend...) AND round AND silver-toned:

  • 13 years ago

    The room seems very dark to me. What if you mirrored the entire wall above the fireplace, and then hung more mirrors in different shapes(unframed,hung from the ceiling), in front of it? I think it would add depth and a lot of interest to add a variety of mirrors of different shapes.

    Or if you like colored glass, you could start a collection of blown glass bowls/plates etc. and hang them in front of the mirror. The room really needs some color.

  • 13 years ago

    sas95, I think you were on the right tract when you ordered the copper piece. I think some copper art would look fantastic and fit your decor perfectly. Below is one I like but there are many more on the site. Your room is lovely.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Copper wall art.

  • 13 years ago

    I like the art posted by SunnyCottage, especially the trees. I think a horizontally oriented piece would look great!

  • 13 years ago

    I,d go with a rug or something that,s woven. Warm, but vibrant colors.

  • 13 years ago

    Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone. Much appreciated!

  • 13 years ago

    I love AnnieDeighnaugh's suggestion to wallpaper above the fireplace: something subtle so as not to overwhelm. Most decorating bang for the buck. Her example with that great mirror is fantastic. I think bronwynsmom's instinct to put something round & reflective there seems right. So many other right angles in the room, a little round here & there is a relief.

    To my eye, the best feature of that beautiful room is the fireplace. The stone is fabulous, & the design is strong & handsome. However you decorate that wall section, I hope you don't try to outshout the fireplace.

  • 13 years ago

    I agree about the starburst mirror. I think it would really suit your space and add some light and reflection. They are popular, but pretty.

  • 13 years ago

    Similar rooms are shown on this website.

    Some with the sunburst.

    But many look good with empty walls.

    HTH

    Here is a link that might be useful: mid century modern interiors