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Art or no Art over stone fireplace?

5 years ago

Looking for opinions if I should place art over tall stone fireplace. Room will eventually have wood floors, so don’t let that deter you.

(BTW, this room was actually intended for a living room, but works better with my long dining table for holiday events, so we flipped the rooms- dining room is now a sitting room.)

Comments (19)

  • 5 years ago

    Yes, I would add art.

  • 5 years ago

    Yes, but one piece larger than what you show.

  • 5 years ago

    Large art would be fine. Do you want comments on the rest of the room? It looks like you are in the middle of changing things.

  • 5 years ago

    I have found that if large art is too expensive, a great photo on canvas or metal does the trick. If you or a friend are talented in photos, you can do great stuff very affordably using Ritzpix or Shutterfly.


  • 5 years ago

    Art could work but needs to be much larger

  • 5 years ago

    One more thought: I like the height of your chandelier and that's one reason that large art often gets lost in a room like this... the light fixture dangles right in front of it. When the art is abstract, that often makes no difference, but if it is representational -- and a dramatic dangling fixture is the starring attraction --- it's all too much. But your fixture is very balanced and leaves lots of "eye room" for good art.


  • 5 years ago

    @apple_pie_order, sure...

    Thinking maybe a large wood architectural piece, or maybe a metal tin..Will have to do some shopping and agree it needs to be bigger. That picture is a 35” Square. Keep the ideas coming. @lizMatt, photo on metal, think those can be big?

  • 5 years ago

    Not large enough....but...

  • 5 years ago

    Yup. What IdaClaire said. That fireplace is great on its own and is fine just as it is. But if you want to add something, it needs to be for a reason, not just to fill space. That means no décor-store wall-art-by-the-square-foot garbage. Anything you put there needs to be personal and have a very good reason for covering up that stone work.

  • 5 years ago

    Additional comments on the room: the wood pillars detract from the stonework. Move them to another room if you love them. See if you can lengthen the front and back curtain rods so that the curtains can be drawn fully off the window glass. It could be easy to change the shirring of fabric on the expanded front rod, too.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I love a large landscape on a stone fireplace anytime there are two windows flanking the fireplace. A large landscape between two windows gives the effect of another window into nature. I'm only showing these to give you an idea of how bold art can add so much beauty to a room. They aren't necessarily the right size or shape, but I hope they're inspiring. Choose a subject and palette you really love.

    "Gold Leaves." Original Artwork By Kanayo Ede · More Info


    Abstract Landscape Modern Minimalist Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 36"x36" · More Info


  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    IMO the draperies should have been extended higher on the windows and the gap filled in with a woven shade/valance.

    The coco colored drapes don't seem to work with the stone or the walls, so I might have selected gray

    I like your black accents and would play that color up in your room.


    I think the room would benefit more from a very strongly framed mirror rather than a piece of art.
    https://majesticmirror.com/products/3092-p/


  • 5 years ago

    That fireplace is perfect for a huge Andre Pater print. https://gardenandgun.com/slideshow/work-andre-pater/list/

  • 5 years ago

    Art can be as wide as the firebox opening. Personally, if the room is to stay as a dining room year round, I would find a mirror for the mantel area and lower a more striking chandelier to be reflected by it. I think a mantel like this would suit better. You need one that can stand up to the visual weight of the stone. I agree about the pillars and the drapes. They are not working for the overall space, and neither are the wicker chairs. I'd rather see upholstered ones at the two ends of the table.


    Indian Hills Living Room · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    I would add art. Make sure it has a frame (maybe white?) that really separates it from the stone. And I think the art should be on the non-busy side, as the stone already has a lot of detail. Perhaps abstract or a hazy landscape - the second painting housegal posted seems perfect to me.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    IMO unless the art is very large and bold, it has a hard time competing with the pattern of the stone on the FP. I'm not sure it's the best direction to go.


  • 5 years ago

    Thanks everyone. I agree on the drapes, they came with the house - don’t love them. But the in addition to the two windows on each side of the fire place there there is a very large window on the walls to right and the left. So this will be quite an expense that I was trying to avoid. But definitely an option and would do in a similar way as @BeverlyFLADeziner suggests.

    I also agree with a chunkier mantel, however the mantel replacement will require additional stone work, so unless I can modify what I have, vs. replace it - that is not an option.

    I will definitely keep my eyes open for Art, you have sent some great suggestions that I like a lot. I don’t think I will go with a mirror, as I had one up for awhile and hated the reflection.. as some has commented could be an issue.

  • 5 years ago

    I would consider color in your art to be very important in your room for such a focal point. I think red would be wonderful against the gray stone and black/brown accents. You could get some fabric in your color choice and hang it up to see which colors you may want in artwork.