The space looks oddly dark so please a post a pic of the whole room in better lighting. The lamps do nothing for the mantel and IMO art you love will always work in any space. The only thing I will mention is that piece will be very high and not as nice to look at as it would be if hung where the center is at eye level. Please post the pics here in a comment DO NOT start another post.

Here is better lighting;the picture is staying.

I think the art is nice but would definitely remove the lamps.

”…think about reframing with a gold frame to make the picture pop more…”

Nice! Keep it simple, nothing fancy/ornate.

Well then what do you want from us? I guess you do not want to be told the lamps need to be taller and bigger too

There is no need to be rude. I am going to take the lamps down. I spent a lot of money at Hobby lobby to have this picture professionally framed so I will not change it to gold as someone suggested. I guess I was wondering if I needed to add anything else on the mantle.

It will be fine as is minus the lamps. Nothing else is needed with the art.

Regarding the art not being at eye level, lots of art over fireplaces is higher than eye level.

Cloud, thank you

What a meaningful and attention grabbing piece of artwork. It can stand alone with no other decor. The frame is great with your wood fireplace. Very nice room. I love your upholstered wing back.

Your fireplace is lovely and I love the meaning behind your art.

I agree with Sabrina and others about not adding anything else. Maybe try that for a while and if it feels too bare to you, play around with different things?

What decor styles do you like?

I have a large and much-loved piece of art above my fireplace and decided to leave the mantel mostly bare (except during holidays). I just have two glass mosaic balls a special person gave to me many years ago — I like how the broken glass mimics the crackle design of the matting …

Just wanted to show a few other ideas — some with mantel decor, some not:

I think all very nice examples and show how either way can look good.

Nice from Jilly! Notice how the colors in her art piece tie in with the stone colors. To me the colors in your art tie in nicely with the 8 arched stones above the firebox.

Thanks, chloe. :)

My dad saw me admiring the horse in a boutique over 20 yrs ago, and went back and got it for me the next day. It goes above every fireplace in every house I live.

It’s a perfect fit, for sure!

It think your fireplace is lovely and it will look nice with just the picture. The only other suggestion I would have is maybe one vase with seasonal flowers on the mantel (ie tulips in the spring etc)

The photo is nice but is very bright, and the frame blends into the background and is invisible. So the overall effect is a bit stark and the picture is so high it seems rather aloof. I don't know how else to explain it but maybe just lean the art on the mantle for a less formal, more homey look, and where you can step up and appreciate the photography.

Since you love the frame, rub a little gold paste into it so it is visible and so the frame highlights the subject matter....'frames' it so to speak.

Higher up is better when you can see the frame.

I’ll chime in. Toss the lamps of course. The art, which is very charming, is too high. Rest it on the mantel. Maybe add an art light above it.

(I also love local history and have a framed picture of the first home built in my county.)

Paint the panelled section behind the painting the wall color, the piece really shines.

Looks like there’s frame molding trim on FP wall & the picture is centered inside that trim.

That's what I tried to show.