Love the art work. Look forward to suggestions.

would a two planters like this be a good idea or bad?

Or do you think some kind of glazed pot would be better? If so with a pop of colour (like red) or subdued (brown?) to not detract from painting?

Love the art. Wondering if it should be framed.
The red glass piece is too small and delicate for the mantle, I think.

With the art framed so that it is larger and a different wall color, perhaps nothing else on the mantle except a couple of small candles:

Re: red sculpture too small....I was wondering about that. If I did frame the pic, dark brown if walls will likely be white?

Are the trees in the art black or brown? I am thinking you should take a photo of the mantle area to Aaron Brothers along with the art. I would think either a simple soft black or very dark brown frame.

Once you paint the wall and frame the picture, you won't need anything else at the FP. Right now, except for the red sculpture, everything else is out of sinc with the style of the FP.

decoenthusiaste, what would I need to change about FP to be able to have some plants there? Would changing the black part be enough?

pc mom, the trees are blackish in picture.

Plants would be ok but no pedestals, just nice ceramic pots in black. The two plants you show are too small - make a statement.

Remove the objects as they fight with the picture. Paint the walls, picture frame (it does need a frame) & the actual fireplace the same colour- white or a very subtle colour grey. This should allow the picture to sing!
The images below are of some floating alcove shelving and storage either side of a very traditional fireplace. Prior to works, the fireplace, made of pine had a natural finish with extra detailing and the chimney breast was painted a deep red. The only redeeming feature on the fireplace was the cast iron inset with it's delicately hand painted tiles- entirely lost in the chaos. We stripped most of the unnecessary moulding from the fireplace and the entire space was painted a mute grey. Very happy clients! (Apologies for the undressed pics.- clients were committed to keeping accessories to a minimum)