Agree with erinsean. It is very serene-looking at night. Must be lovely when it snows at night outside those windows.

Agree...pretty with the lights and I like those windows. You just have a little too much going on. I think the large square piece is somewhat busy, especially with the window design and all the small decor across the mantel. If you keep the white square, remove everything else. I would remove the wreath, No matter what. Mantels and hearths are at their best when kept simple. Not a pro here so see what they suggest.

I agree with above - hand the white decorative square so that it is not resting on the mantle. Declutter the rest and keep only 1 or 2 items.

Is it a mantel or an alter?

Way too much stuff. Way overdone. The wreath must go.

The actual fireplace with original mantel is lovely. Remove everything and look for a nice painting or framed print.

Take EVERYTHING off the mantel. Frame the white piece with mirror (or mirror-finish plexi) behind it. That will add a subtle light effect. Hand the finished piece 4”-6” above the mantel.

I love the way you changed it with just the candles and the flowers. It’s honestly perfect! I really don’t understand what it is that you don’t like about it. I actually saved your photo to my album-great inspiration!

beautiful fireplace!! I think you have a lot going on. I’d probably like the all the lights for the holidays – but not year-round. If it were me, I’d get rid of the wreath & everything else. I'd like to see some green, some smaller art, a candle or 2.... I hope my pic posts (if not here is the link: http://www.almahomesmn.com/blog/how-to-style-your-mantel/) , it looks like a cleaner version of your style.

Hi, Jenni--

Think a little bit of editing here would get you where you're trying to go. The good news? It's not a major adjustment here. I'd recommend hanging your wooden screen a little higher so that it clears the tiles/molding trim above the mantle level. Would also live without the small floral clusters and wreath for a time, too, and let the space breathe. Concentrate on your candle grouping and keeping lines a little cleaner and see how you can bring in the nighttime illumination - battery LED pillars are amazing quality these days on top of your candle risers. Also, moving your carved screen up onto the wall will also free up a few extra inches of mantletop depth to play with so you can bring your candles in to frame the screen just a bit. Cheers on your update!

I think the mantle looks ok, but the fret work and the items on the mantle are all in conflict and make the overall appearance look poor. I'd encourage you to remove the fret work from the wall and everything on the mantle. Gradually add a few items to the mantle, and look to relocate a piece of art work from your house to hang above the fire place.

Remove ALL of the flower stuff, move all candlesticks to one side, and maybe add a (very simple) decorative object or vase on the other side.

I would just focus on decluttering as much as possible. I think the mantle is beautiful!

I read on Houzz once to never line items across a mantel like soldiers. Groupings are better in uneven numbers...and, again, keep it simple.

Remove everything from atop the mantel and on any part of the fireplace -- including your square backlit artistic piece -- which you should paint your favorite bold color and then hang on the wall centered above the mantel ... because different shades of white and off white together can make the less white one look dingy.

Invest in a new fire box cover and/or fire screen

https://www.plowhearth.com/p/13401?aff=6443&CAWELAID=530007710000122892&catargetid=530007710000089506&cadevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI85qI2N_t3QIVyksNCh3FNAI4EAQYAyABEgKeG_D_BwE

If you still hate your mantel after removing the clutter, consider painting the brick around the firebox black and adding a brass fire box cover and/or fire screen..

There is waaay too much little stuff on the mantel....take it all away, flowers, wreath, vases...all of it. Hang the white lacy thing on the wall. Maybe two candles will be plenty to go with it.

It’s beautiful! But the flowers make it feel grandma-ish. Go for less stuff and cleaner lines.

too much stuff and too much light looks like decorated for Christmas

Not a fan of the mantel. Too much stuff as others have said, and while the lights give a nice ambience in the evening, all the cords make it look something else again during the day.

I like the suggestion of hanging the white piece on the wall. It’s something I’ve considered. I think I’ll task my boyfriend with that sometime this week.

I just realized my pictures posted out of order. The second photo is how it currently is. I removed almost everything. I think I might take the suggestion of putting an art piece overtop of the white lattice piece. I liked the one photo that was shared. Maybe a wood frame to tie in with the candles?

The lights are definitely not going anywhere. It was a request from my sister after we both felt so sad removing the Christmas lights. Who said it can’t be Christmas all year?!

Unfortunately my internet and cable cords are coming in the side of the window. I rent and there is nothing I can to about that. So regardless if I remove the one white extension cord I’ve added I’m always going to be stuck with unsightly cords.

Thank you for the suggestions. And thank you for those who were nice and supportive. I’m always hesitant to use this platform. Most of the people on here can be so condescending and rude. As seen in some comments above.

Definitely lots to help me ponder this.

Jenni, what really matters is that it appeals to YOU. Just on its own with no decor, the space is really nice. As I mentioned already, those windows are great, and I love the way they flank the mantel.

If you can believe It. This thing used to be green. It was awful. I had to paint it.

Oh, wow. That was (possibly valuable) vintage tile...did you get permission from your landlord before painting it? I'm sorry to be critical. I think it was beautiful before the paint. If I lived there, I'd restore it, both because I'd expect the landlord to be very upset with the paint and because it's a striking piece of character in the room. It doesn't need much adornment. It should be the star of the room. Hang or prop a piece of art above it and place a candle on the mantle. Your lovely Christmas lights could go in a tall vase on the floor. You're lucky to live in such a charming apartment!

I had permission to paint, yes. A friend lived here before and there was paint all over it from his painting and re painting of the unit. He clearly has never heard of an edger. Its not in as great of shape as it looks. The tile underneath is so glazed. It would all come off with paint thinner if necessary.

I think it will be perfect once you hang up the white thing. Just wanted to mention that the lights inside the fire place to make it look like the wood is burning is cracking me up. It certainly looks nice, just a cool trick I never would have thought of :)

I would remove all of the vases and wreath. i would only leave the lights, the square piece, and the candle holders. I cannot get over the windows. Beautiful space.

Once you finish, show us your final pics.

You're saying it's a Christmas decoration, I do not see why you're so offended. I'm here to give a simple and direct opinion and not to throw confetti

Fairy lights and Xmas lights are great for fireplaces....

I am with Anniebird. I hate to say it but liked the old green tiles. I do agree that taking everything off the mantle and I think it is a pretty fireplace.

I love those battery-powered fairy lights. Great for the holidays and other occasions.