I think I'd switch the decor and put the stuff on the fr side on the kitchen side and vice versa. Any way you can hang the big pictures and the mirror instead of leaning them? That would fill the space a little better and also give you some more room for additional treasures. Your fireplace is beautiful and the floor is fantastic!

Thank you! I never considered switching the sides, that is worth a try. Unfortunately we can't hang on the fireplace. Or if we could we'd prefer not to put holes in the mortar.

I think you have too many small items and too many similar shapes and colors. I would like to see some curves, i.e. a big clock, a sunburst mirror. Beautiful fireplace.

The stone mantle/slab is drab. There are a lot of great colors going on in that fireplace stonework that aren't coming out very well and punching up the color of the slab pieces would certainly help.
If it was me I would consider staining it- and maybe the hearth piece as well.

OR- perhaps there is some sort of finishing method for stone that would make the colors appear richer? I bet they pop when they are wet- something available to help replicate that look?

Too much dinky stuff....if you want a mirror make it HUGE, candle sticks should be massive and with a fat candle in a color that works with your stone...maybe a deep brown or aubergine.
And they make hanger things that work with stone work...little sort of metal clamps/hooks that allow you to hang on the stone...I wouldn't trust them with a heavy mirror, but they work well for something like a dried flower wreath.
The black and white pictures don't work at all.
How about a low bronze colored oblong dish, or basket or box....filled with dried stuff....crammed full, things like hydrangea and lotus pods and cat tails and grasses...in shades that co ordinate with your stone.
Think big...that's a massive fireplace.
Linda C

Yeah I need to take everything off and start over!

Please do not change a thing about the fireplace itself, it is gorgeous, including the stone mantle.

Your floors are gorgeous too -- warm, and the warm colors in the FP, oh my goodness what I'd give to have a FP in my kitchen like that.

I agree with others that what you've got on it is too small and too much, also too horizontal. You need (a) vertical thrust (b) simplicity (c) largeness. On either (or both) side(s), what do you think about a large vertical oil painting (or canvas transfer of oil painting) -- NO GLASS, just a framed oil, leaned against the wall, flanked by a pair of large topiaries or candles or wood candelabre (something of a soft material, not metallic or glass, since you have a lot of "hard" going on there with all the brick and stone.

I know this is simple, but simple is often good, especially when the fireplace makes such a grand statement all on its own -- so much so that you could practically leave it completely undecorated and it would say enough!

The only thing that bothers me a teensy bit is the exposed black firebox and I'm wondering about a simple (but beefy) fireplace screen in front of it. But even so, the rest of the composition says so much that this little point doesn't matter much.

Thank you! Yes we have been in our home less than 2 years so I do not plan on changing the fireplace itself. It was quite an expense to do and I love it just the way it is.

I love the suggestions. I think I'll do a big painting on one side (I'd prefer vertical but I have a horizontal one so I might use that for now). I think I'll do some large vases or candle holders on the other side (soft materials).

Thanks so much!

What a beautiful room! I love stone and wood in a home. But I agree with the others. Go big or go home!
Curves (a huge clock) would soften the hard edges of the fireplace, or a large piece of art with warm colors. I would just lean them. Then as bigdoglover said, balance the composition with topiary etc.