IMO the mirror is not doing anything for the fP or your space it reflects nothing worth seeing twice and anything you put on the mantel will just add to the reflection confusion. Take that mirro out hang a nice piece of art in that space and then minimal decor on the mantel.

Is it set back all the way so you have the use of the mantle? I would do a fab arrangement of live tall plants if there is enough room.

I'd want to screen the reflection in some way, interfere with it.

what are the measurements of the interior framing?

Put some candlesticks and small ginger jars or something that looks good on all sides in front of it. The full mirror is a classic 30s 40s overmantel so if it fits the house keep it.

Love the faces in the mirror!

The mirror would be so much fun to decorate with for holidays. Think about sculpture, vases, candles, garlands - anything that would look good from the back. I would change out the mantel decor seasonally.

There is so much on the bookshelves that it would look too cluttered if both mantel and bookshelves were decorated. It might help if you made each shelf have only one larger item or one monochromatic grouping, then showcased the mantel decor.

I think the reflection is fine - and informative. You may be using that mirror subconsciously in several ways even if you aren’t aware of it.

(Just in general, what's below the mirror needs beefing up, as the mirror is quite wide. I'd be looking for 2 more vertical pieces of carved moulding to do that, and possibly a heftier firescreen.)

sideways

https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/exceptional-oversized-19th-century-salvaged-chicago-black-enameled-wrought-iron-residential-window-grille.html

Get a framed picture that you like, a big one. LEAN it against the mirror to the side. Decorate the mantle with other items, too. Use the mirror as the back drop for your design. You don’t need to move it. One other thought. Get several decorative empty mirror frames of different sizes and hang them with adhesive hooks on the mirror as a collage of empty frames. (I saw this done in an historic home for a designer show-home. The designer couldn’t remove the full-wall mirror in the house, so she placed draperies on either side of it and then hung vintage frames on it. VERY clever!

If you don't like the mirror right now you can cover it with window film until you do like it. :)

I like it. I agree that keeping decor simple and along the sides would be nice.

It seems the mirror is installed with four plastic rosettes and screws. You can take it down.

^^^^ was just going to comment on the rosettes

Hang a piece of art in front of it

Yes, it is “fixed” in place with rosettes. Pretty, no? Yes, it can be removed. But it also might have black glue behind it on the plaster wall which will be very difficult to remove. I say try working with what you have and playing with it!

You could sure do better than that mirror.

I don't think that's better than the mirror. If anything, it would be more intereseting if the mirror were still there.

If you are interested, you might be able to slip a large postcard behind the top of the mirror and slide it around to get a idea if there is glue behind it.

Is the mirror wider than the fireplace? Does it look a bit too heavy? I'm fine keeping the mirror and hanging art in front of it. But can we come up with some ideas the widen the fireplace base or narrow the top-wide mirror?

Not too heavy...TOP heavy. Stupid spell correct ...

I love everything about your fireplace!

K.L.

Everything would look well balanced if instead of a thin strip of fluted molding finishing the edges of the fireplace below the mantel, a wider and slighlty more promiment column of paneled or fluted molding was there on each side

I think it would also help if the fireplace screen were heftier

It isn't dated. It is classic. I think it looks great as is. You have plenty of nice objects on your shelves framing the clear open mirror. Don't mess with it.

@mytwocents YES! Those are both great ideas!