I am right there with you on hiding outlets.......not one can show in public places in our home, either. I like the candle idea or even books??? A pretty object that does not fight with the mirror. Make is something without details to take away from the mirror and it would not be in a good place to be admired....so just something to cover them up and still look nice in the room. Shop the house and see what you find.

I just looked closer and you do have something in front of the iron piece....love it......move it over where one lamp is. And seriously? A plant would work there, too. A touch of green is perfect in lots of places and does not fight with anything.

You have so many beautiful things, I'm sure you can find the "just right somethings" to put in front of the outlets. I find the lamps detract from the fireplace and the beautiful scroll above.

Paint the outlet covers the same color as the wall.

Lynartist, thank you for your very complimentary words. You make me feel so good!

Groveraxle, I appreciate your expert eye so much...should I completely remove the picture I hung in dining room, or should I center it between mirror and drapery wall?

Hi Abbyjean...did you mean to move the piece BESIDE the lamp or to REMOVE lamp and place the piece where the lamp is? Thank you so much for your help. I think I am going to try a green plant because I love them in the house. Dislike electrical cords to show as much as I dislike the outlets to show.

Yes, try the piece where the lamp is.

How is mantle now? I think it is too deep for me to have nothing on it, or maybe I am just not used to it being empty.

This is my favorite so far! You are such a trooper! The outlets are covered, there is a touch of green and the other piece seems to go so well with the large piece. It almost seems like you have the family crest or something like that there now and that it was just meant to be right there in your home.

Abbyjean, I think I like it best, too. We can pretend it's the family crest. Thank you so, so much for your help and your ideas. I don't know which time zone you're in, but if it's Eastern, you must be a night owl like I am!

I'm sorry to disagree, but I think the latest version of the mantel is a clunker. I actually prefer the lamps to the two squatty objects there now, and my favorite is with the outlets exposed.

As for the art in the dining room, I would remove the piece between the mirror and the corner altogether. I think that bit of wall needs to be bare.

I like the suggestion earlier to replace the dining room mirror with a piece of art that works with the size of the buffet. A mirror in a dining room is not my favorite piece for the wall. Your art is much more interesting than watching people eat or seeing the back of their head.

What about if these people all came to dinner?

I liked the mantle simple too. As in, I think it looked best with just your heirloom. Paint the outlets if that's your issue or pull outlets out and add dry wall over them.

Tribbletrouble, you are too funny! The backs of those heads would be quite a view while eating! Lol! Actually though, because of the moulding on the dining room walls the mirror is too high to reflect anything except the light hanging over the table. For those who think I should, I will try painting over the buffet piece. I will see IF mirror will work In a bedroom. It will be later this afternoon because mirror is too heavy for me to lift by myself.

Grover, you do not beat around the bush. You tell things exactly as you see them. I have been playing around with mantle to try different things because I've been given several ideas. I think I am just accustomed to more and have to get into mindset that less is sometimes more. I would love to see a picture of one or two of your rooms in your home. I am sure they are so pretty. Am removing either picture or mirror later today when husband can lift off wall for me (mirror is too heavy for me by myself).

My gosh, Donna, I love seeing Houzzers and homeowner working together like this, your room is already looking so much better!

Like this better than lamps, perhaps that urn with plant on end table would do nicely. Or an arrangement with some color as shown.

This...

...is your best look by far. Those outlets are much less disturbing than the things you're using to try to hide them. The plants and candles and whatnot give the whole mantel a squatty look and detract from the iron piece. If the outlets really bother you, paint them the same color as the wall and they will virtually disappear.

Donna, it looks best with nothing but the ironwork. If you are not going to use the outlets jut buy covers that are plain that cover them and paint to match the wall.

I'm going to play devils advocate here and say I like the mirror over the sideboard! First of all, it's a very lovely mirror! It's not like there isn't any art in this house; there is. I think the sparkle of this beveled mirror at night from the chandelier must be very pretty! There are lots of things in this room and the mirror gives your eye a place to rest! It looks fabulous against that terrific green!

Donna, going back to January, did you ever try your heirloom art over the small chest where the leafy mirror is? I don't think you need two mirrors so close together in one room.

And I'm going to say that the painting that was taken down from the dining room needs to go back to its original spot next to the tv. The bird pictures are very nice but they are too lightweight to carry the strong weight of the tv and the mirror. If you have something else that you can stack with this great.

Perhaps a decorative wall shelf with a piece of China.

I did not know there were covers for outlets. I am going to look for some. I think those bare outlets with nothing plugged into them look like they are just waiting for something with cords. And the outlets are eye level.

I can't hang the picture over the small chest because the wall is too narrow. There would only be about an inch on each side of it, and the thermostat is there, also. It would cause one side of the picture to stick out even if the wall was wider. I have it hidden right now by the lamp on the chest.

Lynartist, thank you for liking the mirror over buffet in dining. I like it there, too, and I love that it reflects the lighting. So glad you told me.

I like the mirror in the dining room also. Thanks for answering my question Donna.

Ok this is not to scale and the shelf should be gold but cut and paste are not my thing. Just an idea.

I like to keep my pictures and mirrors centered at about eye level.

I do like the shelf. I actually have one I could let husband hold on wall for me to see. I am so glad he's patient with me:).

I like mine at eye level, also, but what do you do when there is moulding on wall and things have to be hung above it (such as in my dining room)?

If the mantel outlets aren't needed, I would remove them and drywall over the box, which isn't difficult to do. I think it's a odd spot for outlets anyways. Yes they make covers for the outlet plugs. Paint both the outlet and plug covers the same as the wall or remove them. I think it's silly trying to figure out way to hide them with random stuff when there is a easier solution. IMO, your mantel looks grand with just metal heirloom alone. If you are more comfortable with more stuff on display then that's okay. Tastes and opinions differ, but this is your home, so you have to be happy with it.

You just work with it Donna! These " rules" are just guidelines and all rules are made to be broken. My goodness; the stand homes in Europe don't worry about such nonsense! They line their walls with artwork to the rafters! So don't worry so much about it your home is lovely and so are your collections. Just enjoy them.

I meant Grand

I know you are absolutely right, Lynartist. It seems I can go into others' homes and think, "You need to,do this, this, and this," or, "that picture needs to be lowered." I think I overthink mine.

Anyone coming into your home would be impressed. I could make a long list of all that I like. It's most important that it is pleasing and comfortable to those who live there.
Step back from your project for a while and you may see it with fresh eyes.

Thank you very much, Connie.

Here are pictures of how ALL of the wonderful suggestions helped with our family room. It's sort of a mix of them. Thank you so very much for the time and opinions you offered to me. The sun is bright and made "streams" across the pics.

Get ready! Questions about dining are coming up next (in a few weeks)!

Just to clarify....the table with the lamp, in front of window to right of fire, is NOT next to the couch. There is a walk through between them. I have received comments that the table is too high for use as an end table:). Thank y'all.

Please be sure to post a link here so we do not miss the dining room one! LOVE your home and your willingness to try everything!!! Always so positive!!!

I'd love a big artwork on the mantle, leaning, not on the wall. Or a series of smaller ones. Would be a nice relaxed touch.

Donna, you are a dream OP on Houzz!

Abbyjean, yes, I will post a link. Tems, your suggestion is sooo pretty! I will definitely keep this idea. I love how light it looks.

Tribbletrouble, at the risk of seeming totally out of it, what is OP? :)

Original Poster, that is, you. :)

Donna, you certainly are a dream OP! Your home is just beautiful and the mantle looks so nice with the added touches!

Thank you so very much. I just appreciate the help:)

Donna, I have to tell you I love the trailing green plant that you added to your mantle. Plants always add life to a space. Pretty!

Connie, I like it, too. Green plants do add life and color and airy-ness. Thank you for telling me. When someone tells me they like something, it just reinforces how I feel when I like it too. I hope you'll follow along with my dining room to offer your good ideas in a few weeks. I'll look for ya then!