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Help with decor

8 years ago
What should I put on either side of the fireplace. I do not want shelves. Should each side be the same? A TV will be hung above the fireplace.

Comments (21)

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Is it to late to add electric boxes on each side for sconces for over art?

  • 8 years ago

    Recessed “eyeball” lights in the ceiling on either side for the art. Looks like you already have electrical up there, difficult to tell exactly what the placement is though ...

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Well, that is an unfortunate configuration you have there. And yes, both sides need to be the same in whatever you decide to do with that space. I would do 3 things: 1) I would install a small recess ceiling light over each niche. 2) I would put up some kind of treatment to cover all of the drywall on the walls above each cabinet such as mirror or textured wall paper. Don't skip this step, you need that dimension or it's just going to be too boring. 3) Then I would hang corresponding art over each cabinet, something tall, skinny and rectangular filling a good portion of each niche. (Yes, you hang art over mirrors so that you get the sparkle of the mirror with the light hitting it, but the mirror is mostly covered so that you lose the ability to look into it). And hang art that I call "something there that isn't there" which means the colors need to be very muted, pull a little of the gray fireplace stone into it, and very softly abstract. You don't want anything busy or anything that is pulling your eye to look at it. You want it to be there, but not be there. You feel that it's there, but it's not making your eye look at it.

  • 8 years ago

    I'm interested in hearing the answers to the question - since the fireplace isn't centered in the room it poses a unique design situation. Following...

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I understand the rationale of doing the same, but for me personally it'd be hard to do as I don't like repeating things lol..unless you install two wonderful sconces, providing both light and being sculptural, at the same time

    Otherwise, I'd go for three-dimensional art (something not very mass produced..check Etsy, EBTH, Artful Home, Saatchi, etc, ..can be glass, wood, metal, gypsym, ceramic..some things I find when browsing, are mind blowing..) on one side, and maybe just put a tall plant/sculpture on the top of the other cabinet, leaving the wall bare. On the top of the other cabinet, under that supposedly-to-be-found three-dimensional art, I'd put a couple of books..because I love books too much, and would put them somewhere regardles..)) but it's not like it's needed or something. Books just signal me of life.

    I think stone is strong enough a texture-wouldn't do wallpaper or mirrors next to it..they're too polished and dainty, stone will kill them with its stare you know:) I'm not sure I'm conveying my thoughts well..in any case these are just my thoughts. The vibe I get from the fireplace

    So. It comes down to whether you're "symmetrical" person or not. I find that people usually are drawn to symmetry a lot-or they're like me, try to avoid it unless nothing else makes sense.

    (my DH is more symmetrical than me for example..I'm bothered even when art is aligned with the edge of something next to it..)

    What type of person are you? If you know your answer right away-you're halfway there.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Is it just the angle of the image or is it off set? Is one nook and cabinet smaller than the other?

  • 8 years ago

    I think mirrors on each side of fireplace would be great idea. Something like this:


    Goto Amazon and search like "mirrors for wall decor living room". Add design style to these keywords and you will definately find solution which suite to you.

    My husband used google sketchup for 3D modeling when our house was built and we could control every design aspect.

  • 8 years ago

    I'd put a tall, interesting light fixture or sculpture on the right/narrower side, and hang an interesting piece of art on the left. Symmetry is overrated.


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  • 8 years ago

    I very much like Sammie's second picture, where it's more mirror pattern than mirror. The niches seem somehow too deep for art to be hung to best effect.

    It really is relevant whether the fireplace is off-centre or that is just the effect of the photograph.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    That's for the OP to answer-but to me seems just the photo's angle

  • 8 years ago

    Ja, I'm just hoping the OP answers.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    If you can find a series of at least 6 framed pieces you could place 4 on one side and 2 on the other.

    Or you can do an assemblage of 3D objects. Place 2/3 the amount on one side of the FP and 1/3 on the other side.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    No lamps in front of the wall decor

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    This decor was my inspiration

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  • 8 years ago
    To clarify- the cabinets are the same size. The angle of the photo make them appear otherwise.
  • 8 years ago

    That's great! That gives you so many more viable options!! I like the photo above with the tall, slimmer pictures - althought I'd probably leave off the lamps, opting instead for recessed lightining from above.

  • 8 years ago

    Thanks for the reply, anonymous. It strikes me that if you would like a more informal, personal look you do not absolutely have to adhere to symmetrical treatment, great as that can look. You could do something more like this. (The picture on the left is a vintage wedding photo from my family, by the way.)



  • 8 years ago

    I would place unframed sepia canvases. In a family room space, I would consider creating your own w/photos that have meaning to you. I envision asymmetrical--long leaning on left and two squares hung on right. Add 2 lanterns of different sizes on left and just one on the right--I'd use remote controlled flameless candles for ambience.

    Since the TV/stone is dominant, I would avoid cluttering or adding too much color or reflections to compete w/large fireplace and I am assuming large TV.

  • 8 years ago
    What program or app is everyone using to be able to add decor to the image I provided? I would love to play around with something like that so I can see what things will look like ahead of time. Thank you to everyone that gave a suggestion, I have a lot of ideas now!