I am all for round art over the mantel as you can see by my logo. Otherwise, a horizontally-oriented art piece would it nicely there as well. You would line up the top with the upper frames of your windows. Thank you for NOT putting a flat screen TV there!

Thanks for your input! Do I have to align with the top of the windows as I would love to have it close to the top moulding. Like this mirror. At 48", even if placed on the mantle, it would be 5" or so above the side windows & 5" down from the crown moulding.

Round is good to balance the square shape of craftsman home. You could probably find many pics here on HOUZZ with decorative ideas for craftsman homes. Only advice is NOT to battle your house's original design. In other words, provided the mirror you choose is not gonna be from another era or style (Victorian, Georgian, etc.) it's OK. The one that you chose seems to be pretty universal. Consider other hardwoods you intend to place in the room. Are they the same dark color as the mirror's frame? What about the floor? It would be nice if you tie the hardwoods together with one color. On the other hand, you can find more upbeat mirrors with a little more glitz like silver and gold on their frames, in contemporary sunburst shapes, that might give your room more lighthearted feeling, as this one from Thomasville seems to be on a more serious side. Try to add playfulness, see Joss and Main, or One King's Lane, or Horchow for beautiful new mirrors in sunburst shapes. You will be amazed how far the classic round shape had gone in recent design trends.

And no to the semi-circular mirror with champaign color gold frame.

Here is your fireplace, except of course it's taller than bookcases:

http://houzz.com/photos/1644450

A round mirror would act nicely to balance the other geometries in the room. Have you considered a photo collage as an alternative, though? With any single, large piece above the fireplace, you'll be continuing with the strong geometries established by the windows on either side. A framed collage might help break it up and add a lot of personality into the space (example below, from google).

Art on canvas would be my suggestion, white accents in the painting to compliment your sofa and built-ins.

Thanks Natasha, nicely done kitchens & JudyG!

If I go with the round mirror, is this the right scale: photo attached has a 40 inch cardboard cut out circle. Thomasville mirror in 44"

Judy: I am eyeing a piece of art from Anne Packard very similar in color to the one you posted. It would be across from the mirror and reflect in it.:)

ajrmcr- to answer your question the round framed mirror can be slightly bigger than the measurement of the top and bottom of the window frames ( off the mantel though); it will "break those horizontal lines.
You can get some brown craft paper and cut a circle out. the diameter could be 2-3 inches bigger than the height of the windows. Tape it ( gently) to the wall and look from the opposite end of the room to see how it is. You can post a photo of that too. I think the mirror in the picture that "fabulous city living' looks too small for that space. I would not do a collage of family or other photos. your room is too clean and simple for that style.

Also, thanks Natasha for the photo! That's exactly my family room but they got the scale right.;)

you were cutting while I was typing!

Thanks so much Sunny Drew! We had the exact same thought! I had this circle cut out from a few weeks back. Please let me know your thoughts on size.

A beautiful room -- love the wall color and contrast with white! Totally agree, if I were looking at it every day, the mantle being lower than the bookshelves would bother me too. Perhaps a contractor could raise it up or add another layer on the top of the mantle to even it out?

For now, we'll come up with some ideas for filling the space over the mantle. Because there's a soft elegance to your room, my first thought was a round mirror in mother of pearl. The top left photo shows mother of pearl in soft shades of blues, whites and browns. The top right photo shows cracked mother of pearl in deeper, richer shades.

A clock would work too -- if it's in keeping with the lightness of the room. Or, something decorative like the mirror with leaves that carries shades of your wood flooring, as recommended by Natasha Assa. I feel the room calls for something light, sophisticated and elegant and the round wooden mirror might be a little too heavy in that space.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Grover axle! Thanks so much for the photo! Looks beautiful. Somehow, I never thought of anything but perfect symmetry. So I GREATLY appreciate the candle option.

Definately something round.. a mirror might be distracting with all of the windows, some sort of art perhaps.

What about a beautiful piece of art.

Hi, I'd remove your mantel and elevate it with a piece of moulding below so that it is between the height of the cabinets and the windows. I'd change the cabinet doors to glass and add books because the cabinets are dominating your fireplace in height and depth. I would paint the frames of your windows to match the seagrass wallpaper that I'd add to give it some texture. I'd add a mirror with some black in the frame to draw upon the fireplace surround and create height and a focal point.

Thebambergers: I love your ideas. Especially, the seagrass wallpaper! I hired someone and she suggested a farrow and ball stripe that i knew wasnt exactly right, but seagreass would be amazing! The mantle and surround will "leave" in the next 2 years when I gut the adjoining kitchen as the granite matches... Ugh. I love the height you suggested for the mantle! Thanks.

Ok, if I do a large round mirror in a darker color. Any suggestions on hat I should put on top of the bookcases? I thought a short stout lamp on the left. Any input?

Here are my fabric choices for my roman shades: stripe will be on the left. Neutral w Greek key accent will be on the right.

Very cute room! Here are 2 more ideas... A mirror (Zgallerie) that mixes up all of the straight lines surrounding it. Or a large framed art print (Minted) to add a bit of color. Art print would be turned horizontal. Good luck! :)

Thanks everyone!

Does anyone have any additional resources for large round mirrors? Something greater than 40 inches. I have tried: room & board, restoration hardware, thomasville, hickory chair & even custom, but the custom was mdf and when they painted it to look like wood it just looked like bad 70's paneling.:(

Because the distance from top of mantle to crown moulding s 53 inches anything in the 30 inch range looks like a porthole!

Thanks in advance

Yes we do have a large selection of large round mirrors to choose from please take a look at our site at www.essentialsinside.com

Marika

If you look around the internet there are a few co. than manf; reproductions of Craftsman style handmade tile in a large format ( perhaps three centered over the mantle would add a very unique 3-d look without resorting to a requisite mirror treatment.

Google 40 inch round mirror

I like this one

[houzz=]

I would first address the fireplace and how it integrates with your bookcases.

Looking at the placement of your sofa my idea would be to have a TV above the fireplace .

In two discussions today, I have concluded that the problem is with the fireplace surround, not what to hang above. It seems to me that adding substance to the sides of your fireplace and building up the mantel above would take care of your problem and finding art or mirror for above would be a snap after that. I don't think this would cost much at all. Find a finish carpenter.

If you were to spend $1,200, I would spend it on the fireplace instead.

I like this scale and feel. A bright, low profile, contemporary hint. :D

We were just commenting on another discussion with a similar dilemma. The idea of a single bold piece that people have posted works great.

We've recommended artwork to people.

Here are links to some sites where you can find various types of art for sale, including glicee prints...

http://society6.com/

http://gicleegallery.us/

http://www.art.com/

http://www.artstudioprints.com/

Oops I forgot to type to type 3 words in my comment:

The mirror you posted on your dilemma is $1,200 so this is what I meant to say in my comment above:

I if were to spend $1,200 ON A MIRROR, I would ....

Or this idea possibly, with your own twist of course. The shelving could add nice interest with the windows, while staying symmetric.

I didn't notice the mirror you selected was $ 1,200. The one I found was less than $ 200. Put the money into the mantle and you can choose something for above the fireplace that you love and probably get it for much less.

HI -- I like your choice ,- the dark frame balances the dark on the lower part of the fireplace. But of course when you ask everyone then has what they think is a better idea . I do like the mirrors at Restorationhardware.com also -- the weathered wood frames add interest but I think your first choice is a good one .

Thanks everyone!

A few things:
The mirror is $749. (Price listed might be msrp)

Full disclosure, there is NOTHING I like about the mantle and cabinets, other than it hides my tv.;) the mantle is low, the styles don't match, the roping, the circles look cheap...I could go on and on.:) Logically, it makes no sense for me to alter this until I redo my kitchen as the rooms are connected.

That being said, I need it to look presentable as you can see it from my front door. If I were to go with the round dark mirror, can anyone suggest how to accessorize the tops of the bookcases and mantle?

Thanks in advance!

Here's two very large mirrors. The silver Cleavon mirror is 36 x 48 and is $396. The Loudon mirror (wood) is 30 x 60 and is $345. I think a square or rectangular accent would look great with the windows. A round piece creates contrast, but rectangular is stylish and dramatic as well. Both mirrors can be found at Thos. Baker if you're interested.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

Hi ajrmcr,

If your still interested I attached a mirror that I think would look great above the fireplace. This mirror is by Uttermost and is available at our store. We offer free shipping and no sales tax.

Please feel free to contact me at contact@essentialsinside.com.

Come shop with us!

Sue
essentialsinside.com



Desmond Round Gray Framed Wall Mirror by Uttermost, available at www.essentialsinside.com
Our wood Desmond mirror is finished in a distressed stone grey and features a mirror overlay.

Fine Points:
Dimensions: 35" diam x 1"
Finish: Distressed Stone Grey
Material: Wood
Weight: 34 lbs

I see a round mirror in this space. Align top of mirror with the top of the windows to create a visual line. The bottom of the mirror could come even with the top of the bookcases. Not sure what dimension that is. But I would do round. Good luck" hope this helps!

Idea

Another :)

The first comment from K D-G of adding a shelf that is parallel with the bottom of the windows is a great idea. It adds the illusion of the mantle being higher. It's a great interim solution until you redo kitchen et al.

A painting would be perfect there.

A beautiful piece of art work would set the room and be a perfect focal point. This is really a beautiful room. We'd love to help with any future design projects. Thompson House Interior Designs of VA 703-851-9742

2014 post

The Framed Collage looks like Grandmas House UGHHHH it is not a balnce visually a Large Mirror or Painting would suffice

I have in the p act found the blue print to my house had them framed and p it above the fireplace.