My personal opinion is that the two top sections look simple compared to the bottom section. I would just decorat the bottom section and include an element of similar scale to the two corbels placed on either end to visually add to the mass of the second tier. I would take down the top section. It draws your eye away.

I agree!

Studio1001 said it. It's a beauty on its own.

A decorative fireguard would be nice I think and nothing more!

Always pleasant, before we bring the demolition team, to inquire if it isn't newly installed?....

I would remove the middle section and place decoative items on the mantle, to met it looks too top heavy with the middle or second mantle in place.

Ed, I hereby name you King of Neutral Minimalism! (love every post!)

studio1001, even if the dilemma stated it's a newly installed, designed with care fireplace, I'm pretty sure well-meaning Houzzers will suggest to cover it with stone and then paint it Revere Pewter :-D

My husband said just the bottom mantle - with gargoyles. That's more advice than he usually has for our projects so I thought I would share. :)

Or reverse pewter.....

hi Kimbaw,
if you can see in my first pic having the same color everywhere is nice but you just need some life that,
in the second picture i tried to make a small example for you as you can i tried keeping the white for cornice and the color of your walls for the exterior,
as carolins said, a decorative fireguard would be nice and of course some decorative stuff like candlesticks or picture frames on top of your fireplace and finally you can add a classic painting on top frame with nice colors to add some life to your space
enjoy it!

for more info check our video on youtube:


facebook page for more ideas:
www.facebook.com/AIDonline

Poster wisely didn't show too much of the room, or she could have a new staircase, artwork and a daycare program chosen for her by now

Definitely laughing out loud now :-)

This is a gorgeous fireplace mantle. Please don't remove any part of it. It's a work of art and should be treated with respect.

carolins why are you laughing out loud dear? :)

That top section (to me) cries out for traditional art. Nothing on the top mantle. Put the two fleur d' lis that are on the floor on the bottom mantle on the right. Put the orange coral that is on the shelf and put it on the bottom mantle on the left. (Divide mantle in thirds and put them at the dividing lines--one third in from the left and one-third in from the right.)

AID Community: was I the only one? It happens quite often that I'm the only one who's chuckling. Should I be worried? ;-)

are you even a designer carolins? :)

No. I'm not EVEN a designer.

studio10001, thanks. My wife sometimes says my design requirements are "too clean", "too minimalistic". :)

Beautiful fireplace, and I love your inspiration photos too. I'm curious about the rest of the space. I have a similar dilemma where there are open built-ins, so you can't "just" decorate the mantel, you need to look at it as a whole.

are you ODD a designer carolins? hihi lol!!!
nice to meet you carolins!

Beautiful!

With everything in the side shelves, the mantle should be kept clean. To add cohesiveness and remove the visual "blank slate" that's currently bothering you, consider tiling the middle panel with the same stone that covers the fireplace.

AID, definitely odd! Nice to meet you too. I think :-)

Just caught up..now you've all got me laughing out loud!

Lovely fireplace and mantle......only one large item with not much color, possibly oval on lower mantle........maybe a beautiful large oval platter..........there is already lots going on in side shelves

I would decorate the lowest mantle - put a beautiful mirror in the middle and layer with framed photos, topiaries, and sconces

I would decorate the lower mantle with whatever takes your fancy. Then the upper panel I would add a very large wreath of some sort like a grapevine. Something that will be very decorative if the lower mantle is simple, or vice versa. Good luck.

I do like the colour of the walls repeated in the fireplace, as AID Community posted above.