Can you post a photo from across the room? hard to get a sense of scale here.

Is there any reason you wouldn't want to hang a picture over the center of the fireplace?

The stone, lights, and mantle are decoration itself. I think your making a problem for yourself that doesn't exist .

Yes, as acm suggests a photo from a bit back would help. However, the fireplace really speaks for itself IMO.

nothing or as photo 2

The mantle was a tree that had fallen on the back of our property, so it is pretty special in itself. We planed it - but left it rough. The dark gray hearth matches the seats flanking the firebox.

I love the idea of the snowshoes centered. I also am loving the idea of art in the center. Should I leave the cast iron pot on the hearth?

Like the pot. Like the snowshoes, although that's undermined by the fact that they're hanging from a light fixture. Like the wooden vase. Would remove all the other stuff, maybe even the vase. The less here, the better.

Well, my instinct would be to take the snowshoes down, as that's something I'd see at a restaurant. The pot doesn't make much sense unless the fireplace is set up for cooking and has an arm. I'd just leave the wooden vase over to the right just a bit and let the stone and the mantle tell the story. However, it's your house --so, do what you want! Take everything else down, put the snowshoes in the middle and see how you feel about that for a couple of weeks. If you want a painting instead, peruse the local galleries and find something the right size.

I would do the snowshoes centered or a piece of art...that's it. I love the fireplace...a star all alone. Also nice to know where the mantel came from!

Take everything off and live with it that way for a few days if you haven't done that already. I don't care for any of the displayed items except the snowshoes. They could be centered on the mantle. If you don't normally use the flanking seats you could also place the snowshoes on one of them, then put another object or piece of artwork off-center on the mantle to balance it.

I would relocate the snowshoes... I don't think your fireplace mantle needs decor.

Ha ha Ha - they are tucked behind the light fixture!! Very observant!! I didn't want to sink a screw or nail into the mortar or stone until I had your ideas. Now... what you do not see is that there is an outlet just above the center of the mantle. I could lean a stone over it.- just to hide it.

Hmmm...then a piece of art/painting would cover the outlet. Lots of rustic lodge choices that would work with this great fireplace!

We just finished the fireplace last weekend. For the first time ever I am excited for winter and the joy of a wood burning fireplace!

Now you see the outlet... place a stone over it....? or put the snowshoes horizontal? I am going to try the snowshoes over the seats and artwork on the mantle.

Until I make a decision and can get a screw in the stone/mortar - this is the best I can show the shoes horizontally. But this position does hide the outlet.

Actually, neither is working for me. I would look for some framed art work. Something about 3/4 the size of the firebox.

I'd be excited for winter, too! :-)

thank you all so very much - I appreciate the ideas and inspiration. I think I am going to search for artwork as suggested and move the snowshoes to the area above one of the seats.

Snowshoes with evergreens...love that, Flo!

Is there a bit of a gap at the top of some of the stones? I see a dark line in spots on top but not over to the right and down. It may need a bit of caulk? Or something else? Your fireplace is amazing and makes me wish I snagged by grandfathers snowshoes.

If you can't cross the snow shoes in to an, "X" so they are not so high... I'd remove them. Beautiful fireplace though... keep it simple is all I can say as your fireplace is a beautiful piece.

During the holidays I will definitely add greenery to those snowshoes - you guys are so awesome!

Yes, peruse the galleries, and the art fairs. Get to know some artists. You'll find the right painting. Don't be in a rush to find it!

I like the snowshoes in the middle like you have in the one picture....where you see the plug in. My favorite. Now could you paint the plug in the same color as the rock so it would be less noticible? Otherwise, from your picture the plug in matches the background of your scounces. Just let it show if you can't paint it or change the plate around it.

This is what we did for the fireplace in our Alpine Ski Home.

Wow - just wow! this is beautiful! Love the sled.

The sled is great.... you could use a sled off to the side during the holidays decorated leaning against edge of the fireplace.

I have three I put on the porch during the holidays... one smaller, one med and one large. I have white skates tied to one with garland and bells. I'm not in to red bows :)

Great idea - my favorite is the one with the greenery and the 2 bells. So simple yet so fabulous!

try crossing skis that should cover your outlet

Snowshoes on the bench, then lean a winter print on the mantle. Find one that means something to you, perhaps a local artist. Try Etsy.

Do you have a photo, new or old, of family members in the snow? In a rustc frame it would add interest and personalize the space.

Please, please, please leave the mantel to shine on it’s own - except for the occasional flowers.

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