bump

It's not really reflecting anything that you want reflected. I would remove it and the arch to just plain wall. Then your pretty view out the windows can shine.

(It would be sharp to make it another window)

Get rid of it .

Would stacked stone up to the ceiling be too overpowering for the room?

Remove shelf and mirror. You can paint the opening, hang a large vertical sculpture there.

I would suggest removing the mirror and trim, replace with stone veneer to the ceiling.

1. It reflects nothing interesting.

2. It is so big as to have crossed the line into what I call “hair and nail salon decor”.

3. There’s something unsettling about those arches. I can’t put my finger in it—it might be the proportion or something?

I’d remove it, flatten that wall, and hang a decent piece of art there. And tall, elegant curtains for the windows would be great.

Get rid of the mirror, instead of facade what about a nice piece of art!

Get rid of the mirror and the arched windows. Bring the ceiling height down to human scale.

Here is what it will look like without the mirror.

It's too bad there is no way to antique the mirror to make it more artistic.

Whoever thought these soaring heights in a room were a great idea should be SHOT.

Amen. All they do is collect dust and cobwebs and raise your heating/air conditioning bills in most cases. They were all the rage when we were home shopping in 1999. A lot of times someplace halfway up there was some kind of awkward niche over a door or window that you were supposed to "stage." I have a hard time remembering to replace a seasonal framed postcard in our entryway once a month. I am sure not going to be hauling seasonal "objects" up and down a ladder more than once or twice a year. More dust collectors!

Just remove the mirror.
Closing the windows would make room dark and depressing. Hang a nice artwork above the fire place and you are done.

PS remove the frame around the mirror as well , make it just a plain wall , no arch.

Remove the mirror. That entire wall needs a revamp. At least if the mirror is removed and possibly window treatments added like pic 2 below, it will soften the area. I'm no designer. I think you need a good ID to treat that wall as a whole element within the room rather than just removing the mirror. BTW, I'm not suggesting either of these styles, just the concept with the large arches surrounding the FP without a mirror above and the window treatments to soften those windows.

I love what Beverly shows in her pic above. And I would add large art above the FP, below the chandelier. IMO it would warm up the space. Then you wouldn't need the drapes because the focus would be on the art/FP wall.

Thanks for the great suggestions! We had thought of the stacked stone as an option, and I think that's what we'll do.

What a unique feature! I don't have an opinion on the mirror, but the windows are wonderful.

We have the same thing, mirrors reflecting nothing. I personally feel that stone will be too imposing. I would get the mirrors removed and live with painted drywall for a while to see how you feel.

Andrea Palladio is rolling in his grave.

Remove the mirror and molding and I love the idea of the chandelier hanging low between the upper windows and add a beautiful piece of wall art above the fireplace, you can always change it if it doesn't feel right or you want more drama.

Carol, stacked stone is a great idea. I'd love to see some mullions added to those windows once you have done that ( details beget other details). Add some greenery to cover the fence outside, and a much darker paint colour for the walls, and I think you will enjoy the added viewing depth and richness that results. Happy Houzzing.

I think adding stacked stone is going to make it just as heavy and disproportionate-just in another material. I agree with leaving it in drywall, adding a great chandelier in the middle of the room and adding artwork over the fireplace. I couldn't quite shrink the artwork enough, but hopefully it gives you a visual.