Flowers look much better now that you opened them up and stretched them out a bit. I'd place the taller candle to the inside as in Grover's rendering.

Put a wider mirror which spans the entire mantlepiece will make the room look more spacious.

Flower looks better now that it's taller. Move candle sticks alittle closer to mirror or move flower just a tad to the left. Your over lapping on one side and not the other. I would move the flower. Grover- what's your take on that?

The flowers beside such an ornate mirror is too busy. Mirror is too small. I would just try to find a larger round mirror and then you would not have to put anything else on mantel

Got it. I have will move the higher one first as soon as I get home

After you move them, take the pic from further back please.

How is this

groveraxle please help

Just overlap the candle and mirror. Don't think you even need a bowl. This is simple and effective, plenty of bling, not too busy.

groveraxle do I have it now

Your fireplace tools should be on the hearth. Will those two big gold ornate things fit on the mantle, one on each side of mirror? I know they are made for something else, but you are using them as just ornamental anyway, and maybe they will enlarge the look of the mirror. Remove the other things from the mantle and hearth then take a look.

I guess those are the andirons. They are gorgeous.

Stephanie - I think it looks good. I would still probably switch the position of the 2 candleholders and see how that feels...

Terryton thanks so much. They are from my husband's grandmother

Thanks groveraxle and everyone else . I love my new look

I definitely loving the look this morning. Now I want a new chair

Love your pooches! Have some items snuck back onto the mantel lol??

tgb1 thanks. My home is a zoo since I have four dogs lol

Glad you're enjoying your new items. I'd still place the taller candle to the inside of the shorter one. I also think it was much nicer without the items you added on the left side of the orchid. Those items don't add to the nice arrangement, but instead add clutter and detract from the arrangement.

Yes to removing the two items on the left of the mantel. The orchid, two candles, and mirror alone are simple and stunning. Anything else dilutes the effect.

Love the first chair

groveraxle love the first chair

That first one does look nice and your dogs are adorable!

I like the first chair too! It is a nice contrast against your paint.

Naturally, you chose the most expensive one:

The dog thing I was trying to sneak in is our first dog Remys Urn. He passed away and I wanted to keep him in the room. Could this work or should I just relocate him

I thought that was probably a special pet! If it's not too painful, though, I would relocate him. The color of the urn and the sign are detracting from the "look".

indommom I know you are right

groveraxle what do you think

Hey, Stephanie, no one is a bigger dog lover than me. As you can see from my avatar, I am an actual dog. Nice thing about the Internet is no one can tell. That said, I have all my dogs together on a shelf in my living room in a spot that no one but me notices. I'll bet you can find a place like that for Remy and for the company that is sure to join him as you go through life.

Stephanie, so sorry I didn't look more closely to see what you had added to the mantel. I would never have referred to your urn as clutter had a realized what had been added. I agree with indomom and grover that it doesn't work for the appearance of the mantel and would "look" better elsewhere, but my apologies for what I now see was a very insensitive comment. I wish I would have looked closer and realized.

Ann its OK you didn't know

Thank you Stephanie. I really didn't realize and this should teach me to look more carefully before I comment.

I picked the most expensive chair as well. Lol. Mantle is looking good.

Ann I should have said something alot earlier. please don't be upset with your self you didn't do anything wrong

I painted your mantel and if you look real closely, you might find where I put Remy.

Love the mantel painted - love where Grover put Remy - but is that urn safe there with the other pooches?

groveraxle I love it soooo much. Thank-you. I can't wait till Dec 8 when the mantel gets painted. I love Remys spot. Yes I think he will be safe there

groveraxle where is the chair from. Going to put it on my wish list

Stephanie, the chair is the Garbo from Crate and Barrel.

Omg that chair is definitely going to have to go on a wish list at a price of 2100.00 lol. Groveraxle any tips on decorating the mantel for xmas

Ok ladies you are going to see I am a little crazy. Just throwing this out there. I order these online and they are awesome. Should I do these up on the sides of the mirror

Do you have another place for the candle sconces? Sometimes decor is a bit like medicine: one pill is good, too many is overdose. Those will definitely lessen the impact of your mirror, so I would find another place for them. Remember, less is more.

Try these, each about $1000 less than the Garbo.

From Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, respectively:

Stephanie, I agree with grover about less is more. Grover and other Houzzers have really helped me learn to remove a ton of things and replace very few of them. When you begin decluttering, the spot from where you removed something feels very empty for a week or so until you adjust and begin to like it with nothing. When you work on an area like your mantel and you get a pleasing arrangement (like Grover helped you achieve), try to resist the urge to change or add anything. I've had many, many Houzz dilemmas and in most of the areas that reached a point of looking pretty good and uncluttered, I've resisted the urge to change them or shop for them at all. But, the good news is, in doing that, you spend a lot less money on "stuff" and can direct the saved money toward things like the chair purchase you have in mind. The mantel is nice with the mirror, the two candles, and the plant. Anything else will mess up the look you so nicely achieved.

Thanks ladies I will not make any changes. I told my husband Remy needs to move. The sconces were super cheap so I am sure I will find a new home for them

The mantel has been painted and distressed.

It looks great Stephanie!

thanks