Truthfully, I would leave it just as is.

I think that fireplace and the wood above are really pretty and enough of a focus for that wall. In fact, I'm going to to go out on a limb and say that you don't need to rush to hang something there -- the wood has an unusual amount of presence on its own. Wait until you have something (NOT a clock! actual art, with color) that you really like and that deserves a special place. There's no rush.

OR, possibly have a custom canvas art piece that covered the entire wood portion.

If you want to watch your favorite show you can keep a TV set. Relax on the sofa opposite to the fireplace and enjoy the show. Otherwise a beautiful picture would justify.

Margo -- to me, those pieces I have on the mantel look kind of lost and forlorn.

Are you saying a canvas art piece that would cover ALL of the wood -- top to bottom, side-to-side?

Agree with acm, a piece of art you love would look great but a piece of art just to fill the space is not worth it. I would replace the candlesticks on the left with more pottery, different sizes, as I think that the pottery on the right really complements the space. It's really a lovely fireplace and I hope you will embrace and enjoy it.

susanalanandwrigley -- you don't feel the pottery that's there now is dwarfed by the wood?

No I rather like it, but could see supplementing with some larger/taller pieces. But the idea of pottery, and color you chose, work for me. (But I'm no pro, so take my advice with a grain of salt)

Yes, a larger than life piece of art could make a statement;)

Then no pottery is needed.

The blue is a nice complement to some of the orange tones in the wood. I think a woven piece of art, a wall hanging could be good. I'd go for an organic look, either pottery or a wall hanging rather than a painting, which I think would fight with the wood. Yes, the vases look a bit dwarfed, but more so the candlesticks.

Maybe something like these?

I'd look for chunkier pieces, less tropical colors and more beachy colors.

I would add some "tall" accent pieces in the center along with what is there. Or perhaps a tall rectangular piece of art in the center would balance is out.

CAP Construction -- part of my dilemma (MOST of my dilemma!) is finding/choosing the right pieces. Can you show me an example of " 'tall'" accent pieces, and of a tall rectangular piece of art that could work for me? Thanks!

Ellsworth -- that's because it IS circa 1982. For now, though, it will remain. Just curious, though -- how would you change it, if changing it were an option?

Okay... I've got a bunch of photos of ceramic and glass pieces I'd love comments on. I've intentionally not included anything in orange/terra cotta/rust because they don't stand out enough against the wood.

I've always liked these photos of vases. Just the vases with nothing above though. Maybe something on a stand like the 2nd photo or a leaning piece of art on the side. Tough to pull off but it can be done. I would hesitate to put a nail in the wood. Usually not a fan of diagonal wood on a wall, but yours looks nice against your fireplace and the greenery outside.

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A large metal wall sculpture would be interesting for that area. But it must be unique and not something you see all over the place. No words like "LOVE" or "Believe" no trees.

No, don't do a large clock. That has been done too many times.

If you would like to look for artwork, check out the search by color option at Art By Hue. You did not state the wall paint color, but you could search by it to find a piece that contains a lot of little of that color. If you don't know the paint color, try this link as a starting point as I pulled what I thought was close. Taste of art varies of course, but something like this could really look nice:

Bette P -- I like that arrangement of vases in the "Project 2" photo, but, as you said, a look like that can be "tough to pull off." I'm clueless about how to begin to "mix and match" pieces.

I love your fireplace with nothing above it or on the mantle. It has plenty of presence on its own. You could add some tall blue glass vases to the side of the fireplace with some sticks or branches in them. I would try to keep as natural as you can. No super bright colors. The blues you have up there now look a little too man-made to me and contrast poorly with the beautiful natural materials in the fireplace. If you do decide to put art up there, please lean it or hang it from the ceiling. No holes in the wood.

Tall vases for beside the fireplace

This set is from Wayfair (they don't come together). They are bigger than they look and could be good on the mantle.

These blue glass bottles would look nice on the mantle (also bigger than they look). They're from World Market. You could add small seasonal flowers of foliage to them for added height and dimension.

I know, eh? (yes, Canadian)

The organic looking lower shine vases, almost matte, are very nice. I've been to artisan pottery sales, some of the younger artisans are making very nice pottery. Maybe you have a boutique/store that sells artisan pottery in your town? Worth a look.

You could try for this look if you find a collection of the same color and different shapes/heights. Pier 1 has platters on metal stands. This one might be too glitzy, appears to be glass.

https://www.pier1.com/blue-%26-green-ombre-mosaic-decorative-platter-with-stand/2736975.html?cgid=vases-decorative-bowls#start=1

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