The other side of the room which was missing from the photos is our tv entertainment center

Wow, above poster has some really harsh comments.

I disagree with them, I like your furnishings and want to curl up and read a book by the fireplace or watch tv with the whole family on your sectional. It might not be high design, but I don't think its bad.

As far as your question, I think I would try for one large piece that will come up halfway between the small window and the large one above it. A mirror, a piece of art. Maybe a couple of large candlesticks on one side and a plant on the other. You could bring in the teal with some subtle coloring on the candlesticks and plant holder and maybe some rubbed away areas on the frame of the mirror or in the artwork.

You could also get some pretty skinny stained glass pieces for the windows on the side of the fireplace and bring some color in that way. Something like this turned on its side would be gorgeous: https://www.etsy.com/listing/564717921/ocean-dreams-lll-stained-glass-art?ref=related-1

Wow. This is a tuff one! Looks like you are stuck with symentary, no matter what. Breaking up that strong horizontal line encompassing the entire room/windows is the goal. 1st thought is to use matching trim to connect the fireplace to the arched window above. That would take a carpenter who knows his stuff & $$$. Match the window moulding, based on top of the mantel, up the sides of narrow window, then tie into the arched window. As in one complete unit. The space between arch & fireplace window would be white wood with arch surface trim (within the other) to mimic the arch theme. The teal color in asymmetrical glass (tall) & candlesticks. But remember, less is more & no dried flowers. Bring teal into pillows, throws & perhaps an area rug to ground the space. Thanks for stumping me!!

Put 1 item on the mantle. One personally significant item--not 'decor'.

It's so crowded it looks like stuff is going to fall off.

How deep is your mantle? What about a large (wide and tall covering at least 2/3 width) vertical piece of art and then on the sides using real plants or flowers/orchids? You could add the teal in the art and maybe the planters.

Or put one large item in the middle of the mantle.

Some of you guys could stand to be nicer with your words.

Rocks, Sea Shells, tree limbs, short candles, small decorated boxes

I really like your room and what you've done so far. Looking forward to what the pros recommend.

CPAUL1: Just wow. I don't even know what to say about your comments. She asked about the mantle and you go off on a tirade with unsolicited advice.

I agree with putting nothing on that mantle. The other option would be a piece of art with the teal in it the size and shape of the rectangular window. Then hang it over the window so the window is invisible

Honestly, I would leave it bare.

IMO this mantel does not need to be decorated.

I can’t leave the mantle bare, too minimal for me. For the time being until I can find artwork I love I moved our family portrait (in which we are wearing teal) to the mantle with one orchid and one candle (both to be replaced at some point). I also reduced the amount of photos and items on the ledge shelves.

OM! I'm envious! I can't even imagine the amount of light that comes in!

I personally like the mantle empty, or maybe 1 piece of art or a family portrait that is vertical to bridge over window just grazing the bottom of next window, it'll help break up the blocking that occurs at night....soften edges with bunched sheers at window frames on bottom and add more tall plants for softer edges.

Consider painting a color on walls, it will help bring things down a little. Nothing too dark. I see a blue myself, to fade the walls away during daytime hours.

I hope you don't mind I added more than you were asking

I would avoid blocking that window that goes horizontal across the top of the mantel. I like the glass window option someone else posted above or something like one of these

for the mantel itself pic a couple of those pics that are your favorite and frames that dont go above the bottom of the trim. you can add in pieces like this to go with those again sticking with pieces that dont go above the bottom of the window trim. Candles as well

for throws and pillows at both or either side of the base of the mantle

and these books with some of your pics on those side shelves to tie it together. hope that helps

I would find one large spectacular piece of art to hang over the fireplace, from below the largest arched window to the mantel, covering that horizontal window completely.

For me there are two viable options with this mantel. Use nothing or go with jck10's suggestion. Either would be nice.

Sorry, I used to do a lot of editing and can't help myself. It's actually mantel...not mantle. Totally different meanings.

I would also suggest one large and eye-catching (colorful) vertical piece of art to go over the mantel. If you opt for that I would eliminate the wall shelves with family photos and instead use smaller pieces of art on either side of the TV console for a unified and more curated look. Family pictures can go on horizontal surfaces such as side tables etc. This is a very large room that needs more color, including warm colors, to personalize it and make it look complete. When you use only cool colors it all looks rather one-dimensional. This is a room where you can really go for layered, more dramatic effects to bring it down to human size and give it a warm and welcoming feeling. Try to also add books somewhere which really personalize a room.

Ingrid. Thank you for your ideas. Yes I plan to start looking for large vertical artwork for over the mantel. I have been toying with taking down the ledge shelves. Originally I was leaving them and had considered purchasing a muted teal blue accent cabinet for under them to bring color to that side of the room. I guess having artwork over a cabinet would work too. What other colors would you suggest? My color scheme was taupe, chocolate and teal. I originally wanted to order the swivel chairs in some type of blue/teal but my husband was adamantly against that, which was why I ordered them in chocolate. If we buy a coffee table that has a bottom level I would put some books underneath. My ideas are to find a round dark brown coffee table 32-36" for the sectional, a small lighter colored or glass/metal side table between the swivel chairs, a small possibly blue accent table next to the leather recliner and dark brown wood end table for side of the sectional.

Also thanks to Jesshs and Sheeisback as those are options I think are more me. Thanks to all of you for sticking up for me as well against the apparent haters.

beautiful room and woodwork. I'd find some kind of silver or gold metallic like wire and place it lingers, kind of like Christmas garland, but thinner, more wiry.

Well since no one liked my first ideas, ha ha, how about framing all of your small pictures in white, matching the window frames, and mounting them symetrically between the top and bottom windows!

I wouldn't put anything on the mantel. If that is too plain, I liked the stained glass idea. Either just the horizontal window, or the horizontal window and the two flanking windows.

I would simply ignore the window behind and decorate as if it weren't there.

I like Grovers' idea, and another to go with that would be(just a quick thought)to take that wall with only the surface the fireplace is on, which is not wide, and paint it teal up to the ceiling, leaving the windows trimmed in white. Maybe not a teal that is extremely rich in hue, but one that is very subtle(soft/dusty) in hue? Perhaps even just using a paint technique that mimics the Zephra vase above, It might be something to consider.. may enrich the texture of your room? What a lovely living space! I love the 3 colors brought together you chose.

If you are going to go with ignoring the window I wonder if one could remove all the casing. Make it recess into the wall vs framed out and standing proud. I think if one is the sort where the mantle really needs to be decorated (I am with you) then I would see about removing the window all together.

Nothing is what should be on that mantel.The windows on that wall are the star leave well enough alone and certainly not a bunch of tiny stuff .I would also remove those shelves with the family photos that does not suit this space at all and that huge ottoman makes no sense where it is a nic coffee table would be good to serve those chairs

And please add some human scale table or floor lamps to your lovely space. It is like a holy space and should be lighted as such - not as a waiting room or warehouse with overhead lighting.

The large ottoman is the one piece we kept when we bought new furniture (besides the tables but they are not keepers). Can you envision it anywhere else in the room? When we finish our basement this winter we may move it down there if we can’t make it work in this room. When I take down the ledge shelves what do you guys suggest for that wall space? It is 60” wide. I am leaning toward buying a blue accent cabinet similar to the pics I’ve added. We’ve also always eventually planned on some type of window dressing, just never shelled out money for them - and now that we are redoing the room I’m ready. Also my husband wants to add shadow boxes in between the top and bottom windows and on the large expanses of 2 story blank walls.
I’ve added a photo from my foyer so you can see the whole room.

I’m late to this thread. Here’s my thoughts.

I very much agree to leave the mantel bare. Stuff there distracts from the wonderful architectural features of this room - the windows. I’m especially not digging anything placed there that doesn’t cover the WHOLE horizontal window.

I’d remove the large padded footstool and replace it with a similar sized table. Find a wide and low teal decor piece for the table. Flower arrangement? Glassware? Serving tray? Something stunning. I’d also add another plant or two. This room is made for growing things! I think it can be an amazing room.

Edited to add: after looking again, I agree with someone above about lamps. Add a side table or two by the armchairs at the fireplace with some nice biggish lamps. You could add color through the lamps - either with the shades or the lamp base. Or both.

No window treatments and no shadow boxes. They will not enhance, but will detract from the architectural feature of those windows.

I actually don't mind the picture shelves, though I think they could be lowered. I would do that before I would add a cabinet to that wall.

Your last photo with a framed picture, an orchid, and a candle on the mantel is just about right. It could be about half again as tall and be perfect.

With a cute little C-table from Pier 1:

I think you should keep it simple. Maybe add some kind of candle or greenery. Less is more! So pick one or two items for each side and roll with that.

https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/walls/diy-marble-wall-treatment/?&did=337912-20190208&utm_campaign=bhg-decorating_newsletter&utm_source=bhg.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=020819&cid=337912&mid=18411470231

Perhaps a tall carved statue or candle stick with tall candle (red?) in it off to one side just to tie the entire wall together. Keep all your photos with their different sizes and frames as is.

following

Create 2 convo areas? 1) facing the tv, and 2) facing the fireplace. could go with a couple chairs that swivel to face either area, or long settee btwn the two areas. then accent furn (either chairs w/the setee or sofa w/the swivel chairs).

My initial thought was some low small enclosed by glass candles along mantle as it doesn't have a lot of room above it...multiple ones along the mantle. On either side I would bring something with height but slim. Like a couple topiaries or tall crystal candle sticks so when they were lit all would sparkle and enhance the fireplace.

Thoughts on my updates so far? I’ve added some more blue accents. Try to ignore the big ottoman, it won’t be in here forever. I tried to take the ottoman out to play with the space without it. My husband really wants the big ottoman in here. I told him we will be moving it to the basement once that space is finished in a few months. I’m still searching for the right artwork for the mantle. Stuff up there are placeholders for now. I’ve added a photo where I try to cover the window with artwork to see what it looks like with 1 large piece but I didn’t have one big enough.

If hubby is really attached to his ottoman, leave it in...I can see it is a hit with your big dog too! In the real world we all have our loved ones who need to fit into the design of things :)

You don't need to completely cover the window over the mantel. In fact, it's not even desirable. The only problem with the family portrait is it's too close to the height of the window. You need some varied heights there.