I'd suggest as large a framed mirror as you can find and have it tilted downward to reflect the room. A mirror hung flat on a wall at that height will reflect the ceiling, however If the mirror hangs from a point slight lower than center, it will reflect the room. Hire a pro to install the wire, hangers and to install it. Also hang it close to the mantle, not centered in the space. You may need to beef up the mantle. It looks undersized for the space. Add a piece underneath it, or bring it fully around the fireplace.

Diyher, do you participate in the Old Town Alexandria (VA) annual art festival?

I just ordered 2 canvas, framed, DaVinci's from http://www.art.com/

They have just about anything & everything you could imagine. When I purchased, they had a 25% off sale. I called to order since I had some questions as well....she gave me another 10, for a total of 35% off.

I'll certainly be posting here after I paint & hang.

If you find something you like, call to order & ask if they have any sales or specials. The operator can take $ome off!! :0) Each one comes in many different sizes & with or without frames. On heavy paper, or canvas.

I had a lot of fun looking through the pages.

They have everything from the Classic Master artists...or you can send them a photo & they can print & frame that!!

Patti...love that Eastlake mirror, but whoever painted it needs to be flogged!!!

I wouldn't suggest hanging a mirror unless it will reflect something lovely to look at. A painting might be tricky as well due to the height of the mantle. My suggestion is a tapestry which would add colour or a metal piece of art where it's not important for the viewer to be at eye level when viewing the piece. I did find these pieces of art on Houzz which would work because of their composition

I would love this over your mantel with the antiqued mirrors. I love this entire arrangement with the vase and the curly willow.

A beautiful, colorful vertical piece of artwork would work best - metal or acrylic would make it standout. Happy Sunday, Juergen www.RothGalleries.com

How about a large clock?

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far! One of the difficulties deciding what to do is getting my husband to agree on something. We usually operate on I choose what I like and he has a veto, which he seldom uses. However, he really doesn't want a plain mirror and would prefer art (despite me suggesting a mirror several times). JudyG, the antique mirror idea might be a good compromise.

I have also thought about a metal piece as oneofeleven suggested. Any thoughts about this piece? C'jere elliptical by artisan house.

http://www.myhabit.com/homepage?refcust=STHUNO4NS7LEF27HJPYN2OUDHU#page=d&dept=home&sale=A2PQ8B65MRV7FV&asin=B00GSGOM68&cAsin=B00GSGOM68

Leelee, I like the ones you found on etsy. Is there a search by size function that I'm missing or did those come up with regular search? I like the idea or original art or a giclee vs. a poster. Carolyn, thanks for those suggestions. I have visited those sites before. Will have to look at what they offer.

That metal piece will disappear against the wall.

Yah, art pretty much always works for me too, better than boring mirrors. But there are a zillion things you could hang. Here are a few:

I agree. I don't like the metal above the fireplace.. Or at least that piece. Thanks for the pic.

Groveraxle, is the first a wooden carving? It is a bit big but idea is interesting.

What about a piece of metal artwork? Something like this, but suited to your taste.
[houzz=]

I'm liking this too...

I like the paintings done by Tom Towhey. I have two of his paintings. I have a large family room where I needed a painting and I had to have it specifically made since I couldn't find anything I liked and the size that I needed.
His site is http://towhey.wix.com/tom-towhey

cjh4q, the first image of the four above is a Dogon granary door. They come in lots of sizes, and conditions. If you have any kind of outlet for African artifacts nearby, go take a look at their carvings.

What I was really trying to do, though, is get you thinking outside the box. Judy G started it with the antique mirror piece she posted earlier. If you find a painting you love, go for it. But look at everything that interests you with an eye to whether or not it will go over the fireplace, be interesting, and be something you want to look at every day.

Great advice groveraxle. It has taken me almost 7 years to find artwork for my living room. I'd always keep an eye out wherever I went. I knew that one of these days I'd find it. I wasn't going to try & force myself to get it "now" just because I had a blank wall.
I waited until I found the pieces that really spoke to me!

I try to keep any eye out for interesting things but it feels so bare... Bungalowmo, I don't think I have 7 years of patience! I just haven't found anything to love everyday yet.

i agree with bungalowmo
(the room still looks beautiful
...wait till you "fall in love"

It took me 7 years to find a painting, too:) I'll post a photo when I find it:)

My husband, who had a better eye for such things than I did also had a degree in art . . . so consider this a tip from him: If you plan to burn wood in your fireplace, avoid hanging any piece of art you really treasure. Smoke from a wood burning fireplace can ruin a graphic on art paper — even if it is framed and under glass.

In fact years ago, after renovations to our home, we didn't realize that a forced air heater we had relocated was malfunctioning. By the time did, the heat it was expelling had curled the edges of a signed and numbered graphic hanging directly opposite on a nearby wall.

With all of us looking, something will surely turn up soon. Here are a few more ideas
http://www.etsy.com/listing/174926945/handmade-wall-hangingpatchwork-wall?ref=related-1
http://www.etsy.com/listing/174253439/beautiful-tapestry-wall-hanging-direct?ref=sr_gallery_10&ga_search_query=tapestry+wall+hanging&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all

I think the texture of a fiber art wall hanging would be fabulous. Or something like the post right before mine. Remember to repeat the color and texture elsewhere in the room to tie it together and keep your eye moving around the room.

Find a great piece of mud cloth--not too expensive--and hang it till you find the perfect piece: http://www.anansevillage.com/home/ana/page_117_63/mudcloth_1.html

Good morning from here. Wonderful thread. You've fallen among good company, Cjh, and I think you'll get along beautifully without me. But if I do come across something that reminds me of your fireplace, I'll post. Lovely suggestions -- and I'm grateful for the link Printesa posted to Tom Towhey's work. That site is a magical mystery tour.

A large piece of art, Hobby Lobby, Kirklands, Hemispheres. They always have sales.

may be you're interested in this one..
you can contact me directly via email adminpro@indoor-teak.com for further informations.
For other products please visit our website www.wisanka.com

Regards,
Upik Desy

How about this idea?

I can't wait until I get my LR painted & get my artwork up. That room will be like night & day.

I found a couple DaVinci's on canvas. Not the expected pieces like the Mona Lisa or Last Supper. He was an amazing sketcher, and that was the direction I chose.

Check out http://www.art.com/

Here's a Van Gogh I want for my bedroom...the colors are perfect...

Here are a few unique options that would compliment the space.

You can also view more unique and organic accent pieces at www.cirosloft.com.

You need a starburst mirror, one with long rays and a bit narrow. Do not put anything square up, it needs to be high and narrow, but sth funky. Picture won't do the space justice.

Printesa, did you have originals commissioned or did you have prints made? If commission, I'd love to hear about the process.

Egon Schiele - Harbor of Trieste

I would also consider putting a large clock. We carry several large collection of Uttermost clocks, mirrors, and wall art. Here is the clock that I would consider:

1896 Wall Clock (30" x 30") by Uttermost, available at www.essentialsinside.com
This wall clock features a lightly distressed mahogany finish with brass details.
Fine Points:
Height: 30 in.
Width: 30 in.
Depth: 3 in.
Weight: 19 lbs.
Power Source: 1 C battery.

Our price is $407.00 with free shipping and no sales tax

Hope this helps!
Marika
www.essentialsinside.com

Would definitely go for art, something vertical with great color. Really liked the ones suggested by LeeLee. Beautiful room.

I had them commissioned. He has a facebook page as well, which has a lot more paintings that he has on his new site. I looked through his paintings and I picked the two I liked. I sent him a photo of the room and mentioned what kind of colors I have and what I would like to have dominant. He sent photos throughout the painting process to see if we like it. It didn't take long for him to finish it. He helped with the shipping as well and got us a better rate than whatever we found. I will post some photos a bit later (I have an appointment soon and don't want to rush finding the right photo)

The large clock thing has been way overdone. If you don't want art there are so many interesting choices.

Here they are

Thanks for the info Printesa. The painting are lovely. I really like his work as well.

I hope you can find something that fits your style.

You can always place sailboat model on the top of mantel, here the link:
http://gonautical.com/class-sailboats-c-1_110.html?osCsid=itvec8rhtaff2p5lhgg8ar0895

Try something sculptural that stands out from the wall and provides a contrasting shape to all of those right angles.

www.erinashleyart.com

To be honest, I haven't had a chance yet to read all of the previous responses . . . but the title of your question immediately reminded me of advice we received many years ago. We have two fireplaces, so the question of what to hang over them is familiar; but in our case, because both are "beehive" shaped, ultimately we decided not to compete with their shape, which already made them focal points in the room.

However the advice we received was that if the fireplaces are wood-burning (as ours were, before we replaced the allergen-producing wood and ashes with an electric log set that also warms the room) . . . something like a mirror or wall sculpture might be a better choice, because both would be less likely to be damaged by smoke. (While that probably would be more likely to occur to an oil painting, there's always the possibility of smoke creeping into a framed graphic, as well.)

For what it's worth . .. I also liked the idea mentioned above of a starburst-shaped mirror, which would offset the rectangular proportions of the room. (We had to deal with that problem, as well). In our case we were able to install a wall of mirror on one section of the longer wall which "doubled" the width of the room by reflecting the view outside (through the windows on the opposing wall). While a vertical mirror could have the opposite effect (depending on its placement and what it reflects . . . that points on that starburst mirror might help to draw eyes to the sides of the room, instead of lengthwise.

Have you tried hiring an art consultant to help you search? One that is good is Hope Lloyd Brown - try her!

Good luck!

Paint brick then add 3D artworks, vases and candlesticks.

Great suggestion!!

I'll give u a 30 percent discount on any of my 1100 pieces or 2 or 6 pieces. I can also customize it for u to fit your space exactly and finish it w/ frames, mats, on metal, canvas, paper, lucite. Whatever!
Rubinocreative@aol.com is my email.
Google: "tony rubino, pixels"
Or visit:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/tony-rubino.html?tab=artworkgalleries

Peace,
Tony