Beautiful fireplace! I think that you have too many small objects on the mantel that could be replaced by some of the taller ones you have on the hearth. I'd also leave the center speaker (boom box?) unadorned and maybe put something of equal weight on the other side if you want. I find that the more we try to camouflage an object (speakers, etc) the more attention is actually drawn to it.

The vase, candlestick, and statue are the accessories? They look fine in the close-up picture but are lost in the larger one. They're too small, and their colors blend in with the stone so that they're not noticeable from a distance. I think that, instead of small objects on the heart and mantle, I'd remove everything and replace with a large rectangular thing above the mantle, hung vertically. After that, I'd return to the idea of possibly adding accessories to the hearth. Can you show a picture of the whole fireplace wall?

fancypants/lunxe, thanks for the inputs, I already had this disclaimer in there :)

"Some pics of the room (ignore everything on the mantle and drapes, they will be replaced), room is under progress! "

I probably need some colored stuff on the hearth, that was the intention but for some reason I was drawn towards the silver/chrome section in the store. I will also be looking for a large round/square object for above the mantle.

I probably wouldn't put anything on the hearth except for some fireplace tools. I know you said to ignore the mantle, but the silver objects that are currently on the hearth might look good on the mantle flanking a large peice of art.

We have one of those speaker thingys at our house, too; but we keep it behind the tv stand. I don't think it needs to be on the hearth as it's a not so attractive distraction. I agree that tools on one side of the hearth is enough down there and add color with wall art/accessories on the mantle. Pretty screen.

K9arlene, I wanted to put the speaker behind the tv stand as well, but DH thinks that it affects the sound, but will try out. Thanks

Oops, I didnt realize that I logged in with my new username, I'm "vcheethi"! I use the username "vcheethi" all over the place so thought of having a new one for this forum.
vcheethi=ashgirl

sorry for the confusion

I find that when you "go shopping for accessories" , what you buy often looks like you went to West Elm or Crate and Barrel or World Market or where ever and picked up some stuff. Unless you have some specific piece in mind, it ends up looking....well like stuff you picked up at where ever.

I think everyone needs an accessories closet or a couple of shelves in the storage room where you can put things you found that appeal and pull them out as needed or when you crave a change.

The screen looks beautiful! I agree with some others that the items you have get lost. If you can convince hubby that visual aesthetics are as important as audio and place the box behind the tv it will open up your options. With the dominance of the tv in the corner, I think the hearth should be unadorned and concentrate on the mantle.

"fancypants/lunxe, thanks for the inputs, I already had this disclaimer in there :)"

I'm a dolt. So sorry. Was in a hurry, noticed you didn't have any comments, and skimmed your post.

The items on the hearth are large, but I agree they seem to get lost with the color/texture of the fireplace (which is beautiful). From far away, the only thing that stands out is the speaker thing (subwoofer?) and the firescreen. I would either move the speaker thing behind the TV stand or just to the left of the TV stand or to the right of the hearth, but either way on the floor. Or maybe there's room behind the TV on the TV stand? That's where we keep our subwoofer.

I realize you're starting over on the mantle, but maybe some of those new objects would look lovely there. I think your hearth has plenty of interest with the beautiful new fire screen. But, I tend to prefer more sparse accessorizing, so that may just be my personal preference speaking. I really like the accessories you have in the window (especially the giraffes).

I'm glad you checked out Plow and Hearth which I suggested. Don't you just love their store? That's the only "home" catalog my DH looks at. lol

I see that you have a husband like mine and his stupid sound accessories. :) What I did which makes it look nice and not look like a speaker, was put a large plant on it. That's where the eyes go, not the speaker.

But our TV isn't in a corner either. If the speaker has to stay, what about adding a Spider Plant, either silk or real, because they go up then drape down and it would cover the speaker.

I agree with keeping the hearth clear except for the tools. It's not quite long enough to hold accessories without it looking crowded or possibly being a fire hazard.

If it's possible, check into moving the connections for the tv to another spot. Possibly on the other side of the fireplace? There's a lot going on in that one corner.

The things that you have chosen are all tallish and narrow and are fireplace-specific. By that I mean they don't carry through the room. The fireplace is rock which is also weighty but your accessories, including the ones on the mantle are holding their own.

You have orange in your windowsill vase and I think in your table lamp as well and both your table lamps have green in them. I would get a tall weighty vase with those colours in them, perhaps something in a pottery. You could also add something with a sparkle to give more texture to the room. I don;t know if this would work, but could the speaker be put into a basket that is turned on it's side so that the opening is facing out. It would help to disguise it and again add some texture to the area. Then put a pic or a framed mirror above the fireplace that is hung as high as the window wall.

It looks like you have some serious ceiling height going on in that room but all of your accessories seem to be on the shorter smaller side but without a full room pic it's hard to tell if they are getting lost in the room.

"the ones on the mantle are holding their own". Sorry this should read " are NOT holding their own".

oakleyok, Thankyou so much for suggesting Plow and Hearth, I never knew about that store and when I was looking up online it turned to be pretty close to home in one of those new shopping complexes that I hadn't been to. When I went into the store the screens were right in front of the entry door as if they were waiting for me. All in all it was a very easy experience and my long time agony just washed away.

I will try to put the speaker behind the tv stand when I get back home today and will reconsider the hearth.

I agree too much,my eyes dont know where to look,Maybe a flower arrangement,they usually say 1 focal point which in the room would be the fireplace,try to keep to same type.

Save yourself some grief and when you move the speaker (try to do it before DH gets home) don't put it on the floor. Try putting it on something that will raise it enough so that the speaker is visable at the hearth height. LOL, say that five times real fast. Anyway, hopefully DH will see that it doesn't diminish the sound in any way. What are you planning to put on the mantle, a large picture or ?

natesgram, LOL! DH was in and out of the room a few times before he noticed the new fireplace screen. He didnt like it, and said he prefers fire place doors and didnt talk abt it after I told him that the fire place store gave me a $1200 quote for the doors lol !!

Yes a large picture or a sunburst mirror or I dont know !! Will have to start looking up online.