Love the white wash and the blue paint color. Items look best grouped in 3's. Hang the mirror about 3" above the mantel. It will look more important. Put the vases on 1 side with a 3rd one that is white and shorter. Place one of the blue ones on a book or something to make it a little taller.

Sorry but I don’t think the blue and white vases go with your wall color,

I think if you follow @jck910's suggestion, or something along that line, and add elements to the room like table and floor lamps, etc., the mantle will look great.

@jck910 thanks! thats true. If have that on one side… what about the other? is it wierd to have the same thing in both sides? I kind of wanted a semi-formal look- if 3 objects it is, is it ok to do something matching the vase and replicate it on the other end. Like my vase, a white vase and something else. Otherwise, what do I put there? I will take the suggestion to hang it about 3” above mantle.

Btw, to everyone- opinions welcome, but I rather like the color combo and is actually part of my color scheme. I have navy and varying blue colors in the room. To each’s own.

I do plan on adding lamps at some point, but that will have to wait due to budget constraints :-). Trying to tackle the fireplace for now. However, I was thinking of doing some medium-large neutral off white ceramic/concret-ish lamps on both side tables next to brown sofa. When I have guests I usually move the plants to fill the corners- until I can a afford faux tree or two! Suggestions welcome! especially budget friendly ideas that dont look it!

You might take a look at retailer's mantle / console table / shelf styling for inspiration. It will give you an idea of types of objects, massing, proportion that you could then play with on your mantle. Try dissecting the pictures below: great art, something organic (branch, plant), something metallic (brass lantern, tray, frame), something textural (wood, pottery), books.

I like to gather items from around the house and just experiment until I find something I like.

Here are some pics from Pottery Barn & Ballard Designs:

I think simplicity is always nice with mantel decor. You could just have the two vases flanking the mirror. Maybe set them on some books as in Teresa's last photo.

This is one example of a mantel I think looks nice with just the art work and urns.

No mirror, art would be much more interesting.

While some of us tend to want things to be symmetrical because that's how our brains work, usually an asymmetrical arrangement of objects looks better. For instance, I just bought two blue and white vases for a display but they are different shapes. So they are similar, but different. I agree with using groups of three and varying the heights of the objects for interest. Candlesticks are frequently put on mantels to provide some height. Theresa_or provided some nice examples of how this is done by professionals. I have found looking at a lot of pictures of how other people do it really does provide inspiration. There are articles on Houzz about how to create a display, and thousands of pictures.

For me, this is the hardest part of decorating. It is difficult to get the right combination of objects to achieve that je ne sais quoi. But this is a way to put your personality into a room, so look for some inspiration and then experiment until you get something you like.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone and inspo photos teresa_or & chloeblud. I will do a little experimenting with the very few objects I do have and maybe try with and without 2 vases. I will get some pillar candles, some books, and if those dont work out I have another place for them anyway. For now, I’m keeping the mirror, I like it and I cant afford expensive art & dont like most cheap art. I still have to save for and find something for above the sofa.

Will update with photos if I find a good combo.

That sounds like a good plan. The most important part is that it looks good to you.

The simplest of suggestions -- I would lift the mirror so that a good five or six inches of wall shows beneath it. I think it would make quite a difference to the balance of what you have there, which is basically very attractive. Do, however, consider replacing the mirror with art some time in the future. In the meanwhile, the vases are in fact art.

I'd love to see something beautiful on the tray on the table, so that you're not depending entirely on the mantelpiece for the room's decorative accents. Such a thing could cost you a fortune, but doesn't have to. Go hunting.

"Monte Carlo" 9.75" Diameter Large Glass Bowl, Indigo Alabaster, Set of 2 · More Info

if you wanted you could look at this book - https://bit.ly/3uKBtD3 - it teaches you different color schemes and furniture layout in a quick crash course

@Rina thanks for the suggestion- thats very true- it doesnt always need to cost a fortune & i suppose you are right! chinoserie is an art form afterall. I’m on the search for a larger round tray right now as my coffee table is really large scale. I do like the bowl idea. Maybe once I find and can afford to buy said tray, I will play around with it.

My pleasure. Good luck.

Looks nice but i would set vases further from mirror. If you have other decorative items in other rooms or storage, shop from your own house first. you might find something you already own looks good on mantel too. I would place a smaller object in front of the mirror, a little off center, to

”accent” the mirror and vases

I love the combination of the two blue colors! i agree with ptmatthews about shopping your own house...have fun playing around with different things you already own to see if certain arrangements please your eye. You may find something meaningful you own that you enjoy looking at frequently, or you may get ideas from the arrangements that will help you search for new items to buy.

I like the rectangular tray on the round coffee table. Perhaps consider finding a small piece of wallpaper in a blue print and lacquer it to the bottom of the tray to add interest.

Ordered the matching candlesticks and to order some candles…(so three items each side). if that doesnt work out i might just fill the vases, or try the asymmetrical look others suggested.

For the coffee table i was thinking of getting something like this: and maybe adding a bowl as someone suggested, plus some blue chinoserie balls, with a pile of books a white short vase and another object possibly.

Instead of apple a golden bee… or tied with twine…. and a white vase with maybe pink peonies or something…

should i try this rug or something similar?

Or something like this rug?

lamps, as i think someone suggested white, so…..

Flirting with painting mirror gold or white (currently navy) ….

Some art above the sofa…. like these:

not necessarily this combo…. but like this design and color combo….

do these go???

Last, but not least…. in my panic I moved some furniture around….including switching out a rug frim a different room…. and im not sure if this layout would be better (ignore the rug- its not staying for sure…)

This would leave room for a tv or a very large piece of art, but not sure if this looks ridiculous. The art and side tables wont stay like that of course.

should i leave firniture where it was, or new spot???

The room has a modern feel and I don’t feel the fireplace’s mantle choices are doing the room justice. I’d step back and look at inspiration pictures.

I would have a custom mantel made to slip over that vestigial one you have now.

I seldom care for mirrors above a fireplace. It essentially turns into a piece of artwork that reflects what's on the opposite wall. If what's on the opposite wall isn't very interesting then the mirror contributes little to the decor. Would much prefer an actual piece of artwork that fits the decor of the room.

So, im not sure if this is temporary or permanent, but for now here are the changes. I used most advice given for the mantle- I did have an art piece I had been storing at my in laws and had ordered candlesticks. I also bought a mantle for $40 at an estate sale.

Before:

After: (for now)

What do you think?

Love the art! I would not add the candle sticks with it.

Love the new art and I like the new arrangement for furniture. The new layout is more conducive to conversation. I think you need to use a grouping of three on one side of your mantel and perhaps a lone object on the other side. I would use the two taller candlesticks to the back and one small one in front. Maybe a plant on the other side of the picture to balance it out.

I think your idea of the chinoiserie balls on a tray or in a basket is a great idea for the coffee table.

Thanks for the advice!!

I like the peacock painting as well as the lighter, more colorful art you have sitting on the floor in your photo. Try incorporating more of the second into the room.

@everdebz I just got these walls painted and it was not cheap (wallpaper removal, farrow and ball paint) & at this point im trying to work with what I have and make smaller changes. My hubby wanted something dark and dramatic…. I gave him midtone, and confused lol, but its getting there. I might change out the mantle decor for something more modern and simple as suggested, but this is what i have and can afford right now. Maybe a new rug and some decor, but thats it.

He wants more drama - I haven't seen what your room looks like...fp is pretty for you! not dramatic... what about vase/s with pewter /charcoal glazes... instead of plant.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1057602681/12131415-inch-tall-matte-navy-blue?ref=related-5&frs=1&variation0=2248411262&variation1=2138258492

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/1089490282/ships-now-105-double-flanged-stoneware?ref=lp_opfy-2

idk but smooth like coffee table, and silvery like chandelier - a bit dark on a white table.https://www.etsy.com/listing/1040548065/crescent-silver-plate-formica-trays-mid?ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-5&frs=1

You have something like eclectic going, and I don't mind the look... I saw photo you posted 16 days ago.

Going forward as to styles: you could add unique items you both like, but don't need much more added!?

Where you want symmetry ..you have it with 2 pillows, 2 mantel items...

And so - striking item on white table?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1062602298/vintage-art-glass-bowl-in-orange-white?ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-3

As to colors: poppy floral art and rug - both have orangey- red? you could zing with 3rd orange [glass bowl type thing]. Or just keep the blues, brown sofa, etc., and have enough going.

if this didn't work? can wear it... their display photo, see dark / grey chair with it.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/940959810/100-luxurious-soft-silk-vibrant-green?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=peacock+blue&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&bes=1