Agree with nothing up there.

What they said!

It looks too cluttered, you could leave it bare but to me that is wasted space so have some doors installed and you will have extra storage for things that you use once or twice a year .

following, please show us what you decide

One more vote for nothing above the cabinets. I would also remove the stuff on top of the corner cabinet as well as the kitchen cabinets .

Hi, Beth--

Would firr down both of these openings and - also - the space above the upper kitchen cabs. I'm in earthquake country, so there just isn't enough museum wax out here to secure down those large-scale decor items overhead during a big shaker. Generally, would rather keep the focus on the soaring height and overall openness of the architecture versus on a more detailed collection display that's really a bit too far away to be appreciated up close.

Nice house, love the openness. However, I feel a unifying cleaner aesthetic would benefit the space. Try painting the cabinets in both rooms either white or use the wall color. The many objects around the mantel are a lot of visual for the eyes to hold. Perhaps removing some things, especially near a tv. Best of luck. Oh, I like the photos up top, just them, no extra items.

So, Beth, just to be clear, those look like two different homes in the photos you posted. Is one of them your home or do you have a similar situation and are looking for advice? I ask because you are apt to get more comments about other things that people notice in the photos and that's not going to be very helpful if neither of these is your home, in my opinion.

I think they are the same home but one view from each side. The blue tray above the red cabinets matches the blue tray over the blue cabinets.

I also agree to follow the clean architectural lines and avoid adding cluttery things.

It is the same house but two different sides of the fire place. We just bought the house and this is from the listing. Thank you for the ideas

Honestly I think sometimes, nothing is better than something. I think this is that case. I would leave them empty.

Beth - You cannot "enclose" the high openings because your HVAC feeds are in the ceiling. Those areas must be left open...your comfort depends on it.

If you’re willing to invest a modest amount, I’d knock out that lateral piece of drywall, remove the upper red cabinet and build bookshelves from the top of the lowers right to the ceiling (including filling in that sort of pass-through). The wall begs for symmetry around the fireplace and vertical lines.

I'd suggest that you have custom doors made to cover the openings. Add a shelf or two to the spaces. While you would need a ladder for access, you would gain storage for seasonal items.

Make some panels similar to your cabinets put as far forward before blocking air ducts.

or do the same with mirrors.