Leave it where it is, but not certain it's the best place in the house for it : ) ? A larger piece of art......and some color with all the wood....

Not really a fan of mirrors over mantels, generally the ceiling view is pretty boring.

It's fine as is if you can get past that it's too small for the spot. But those speakers? Gotta GO!

Use the mirror elsewhere in the room and get a larger piece of art for interest and color. Whatever is used, it needs to be centered over the fireplace and stay close to the fireplace as opposed to centered between mantel and ceiling (which I believe is what you were asking).

I think the mirror just adds to what I see is a ton of clutter on the shelves . I agree the mirror is too small and rarely do mirrors work on mantels so find another home for it . If you post more pics of the space you might get some ides too.

I disagree with the crowd. I love the mirror in that room. I think it is in the right spot. The top of the mirror is on the same level as the top of the arches.

what I completely agree with is, find a better, more hidden spot for thos speakers. They look like parking barriers.

IMO: mirror is too small, hung too high and needs some companions.

https://centsationalstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/art-on-brick-mantel.jpg

Additional the built-ins (?) are overpowering the fireplace and look or of place in the arched niches. Paint them the wall color.

@arcy_gw and @auntthelma: I totally agree about the speakers - they were inherited, and I've disliked them from the start. They do sound superb, and work well with the classic stereo setup (out of frame), but they're ugly as heck. I'll figure out some way to replace them..

@Patricia Colwell Consulting: Yes, the clutter (junk, some of it) is in large part stuff that will either end up somewhere else or just go away.

@judianna20: I feel that the dark wood built-ins are in character with the rest of the room, which is reminiscent of a British pub (lots of wood, including the floor, brown leather chairs, etc.) The overall look I'd like to achieve is sort of a "League of Extraordinary Explorers" room.

@JAN MOYER and @Allison0704: I'm open to something else there. I am holding on to the mirror, because I like it and it has some history, but it doesn't have to be there. Any ideas about what to replace it with? (Animal heads are definitely out!)

Thank you to all - your comments have been very helpful!

~~

Mark

How are you going to use the room?

Congrats on your new house, btw.

Hang it horizontally.

I've seen a lot of art hung much too high in an effort to "fill the space." I'm with your wife, it should stay at normal human viewing angle.

I wondered about that but the picture wasn't detailed enough to tell.

Great view!

keep the mirror as you have it. Looks like Mt. Hood!

What a gorgeous view! Mount Hood? You will never tire of this view.

So relaxing, reading and conversation. Soft leather sofa (or a chair or two - depends on how you feel about the "coolness" of leather). Proper size rug for warmth - an all over pattern Persian (easier to arrange furniture than a center medallion rug). Bookcases filled with a mix of books and collections.

(Could not find dark bookcases that I liked LOL )

For over the fireplace, thoughts are English pub sign (antique or reproduction)

European travel poster (antique or reproduction) but then I would not do one with landscape with

that view.

Framed antique map.

Or lean Ralph Lauren with fox hunting. Without knowing you, these are just directions so you can consider options and work towards creating a comfortable room. Just don't turn it into a heavily themed room you might get tired of too quickly.

If you have dog and a sense of humor. Etsy.

And so it it, @lynzy1! We're in West Linn, if you know the area.

Great ideas, @Allison0704! Here's what's going on in the room now. Some of the clutter has gone away, and I'd already put the rug and chairs there. However, although I think the chairs and ottomans look fairly appropriate, they're not quite as comfortable for lounging as I'd like - I keep slipping down in them. I'm thinking a couple of larger lounge chairs (still brown leather, but very soft).

One thing I haven't gotten to yet is changing out the light bulbs (did I mention the 14-foot ceiling?) - they're currently the coolest white imaginable, and they glaringly emphasize every detail, especially the bad ones.

And yes, we have dogs - a couple of pretty but not-very-bright Great Pyrenees...

Thanks for your suggestions!

I always do warm light bulbs. Also have dimmers installed in each room. Best thing you'll ever do! Love the dogs.

Google tells me that you can reduce the slipperiness of leather seating by removing some of the waxy layer that the leather is treated with.

Beautiful room!

We just got Sonos speakers - can’t believe how awesome sound comes out of such small speakers and they are wireless!