Perfect! The frame is just beautiful, I'm glad you got it.

LOL at the comments abour your DH. My dh and your's must have been separated at birth. :)

Wow-that mirror really does pick up the colors and tones in your fp brick and mantel! Good eye!

I knew exactly which candle holders you were describing when I read your post--we saw them just the other day while visiting C&B ourselves! I like them very much.

(we got a great deal on a discontinued piece of wall art when we were there!)

Looks great! My husband's the same way. You'd think we had asked them to slay a dinosaur or something. Jeez.

Try a pothos plant. They're hard to kill.

Beautiful!! I'd love to see a closeup of your mirror's frame whenever you get a chance. As for plants that are hard to kill (LOL); ivies and philodendron are the first that come to mind. The can also take low light.
Lynn

Nicely done. LOL about your DH - I think he is related to mine.

Consider some succulents - they would add great texture there as well and be sure there are some that hang over the edge of the container, like burro's tail.

I agree that the red candles are perhaps the wrong choice, or at least the shiny texture is wrong. But you already have a lot of red in the brick, etc. I would think about a cream or a soft moss green, and go with taller pillars. If those are 4", go for 6". I think the extra height will be good and carry your eye up to the mirror effectively.

A potted plant does not cost much more than cut flowers, so think of it in the same way. When it gets tired looking, just replace it. That is what I do.

Lynn, I don't have a better photo (and I'm not going to be home for the next few days to take one) but you can see it at the PB web site linked below.

The best part is that I got the mirror for *free* using our Amex rewards points!

Les, don't succulents need bright light? I always thought so, but maybe I'm wrong.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mirror

looks very nice-perfect for your fireplace and ceiling ht it seems!!
i am also looking for a plant that will survive on my mantle- went through 2 already (including an ivy-didn't have luck with that...) med light except when i have blinds closed- can get too much light in there! will try a pothos i think- hopefully our kitty won't eat it??

The mirror is wonderful! I vote for natural beeswax colored candles, but although I think they are very attractive, I think they compete with your sconces, and look a little lost up there.

Your planter is very pretty, but it's shallow, and doesn't seem to have drainage, which means you'll need a good layer of small gravel, which won't leave very much room for soil.

So if I were you, I would use the candles and the planter somewhere else, and find a long, low, rectangular planter that can sit centered under the mirror, and hold enough soil to support a trailing plant that can go in both directions.

And I wouldn't put anything else on the mantle at all. Simplicity and symmetry are good things for a mantel, partiularly when your mirror is so much the star.

Here's a link to a long planter, also green ceramic, on eBay, in case the idea interests you. You could also use brick red, or copper, or good (not too shiny) brass.

Here is a link that might be useful: Green rectangular planter

I think if you put a "Wandering Jew" in that planter with gravel and are careful not to over water it it will be fine....and the color of the plant will complement the color of your brick.
I like what you've done but think you need a couple more tschotskes...like perhaps a small brass candle snuffer. Don't put stuff up there just to put stuff....but put stuff that has a reason to be there...

Bron, while I get your point about the planter, the one you linked to is even more shallow than mine. I will be on the lookout for something a bit larger and deeper. We are at our beach cottage this weekend and there's a great consignment shop nearby that often has pretty vintage planters (that's where I got the planter that's on the mantle now).

Lindac, my philosophy is usually more is more but I've been trying to restrain myself here! I won't be surprised if a couple other little doodads make their way up there eventually... I have a little brass monkey who might like to sit next to the (eventual) plant...

LOL at your DH's comments. Y-chromosomes are all alike!
I think you could go naked on the mantle too. Since you have the sconces, it almost seems redundant to have candles, except maybe for Christmas decorations when you could definitely do something different for the holidays or special occasions. The plant would be an exception. Beautiful frame!