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 goodness for the home decorating forum. This site has been very helpful to me also. I have become much better at accessorizing over the years, because of looking at all sorts of books and magazines, and there are quite a few sites that will teach you the in's and out's of accessorizing (if you believe there's such a thing). What it does, it provides you with a basic understanding of tablescaping, or accessorizing. I feel it has helped me develop an eye for what works, and what doesn't. Just play with what you have until you feel good with what you've come up with. Sometimes you come up with something you like on the first try. Sometimes you have to just give up for the time being.

Several things that were covered to a degree. First, the rails (horizontal parts) and the stiles (verticle parts that the hinges and knobs attach to) have the grain running in different directions, as is normal and necessary. So the rails expand across their width while glued to stiles where the grain runs the other way, so unequal expansion = joint cracks. Mitred doors are worse, as the wood shrinks across the width, the gap between the two peices gets bigger at the inside corner. The constant expansion and contraction eventually will affect the joint. They are pretty doors, but they will not hold up like a good old stick and cope door that is properly made. Usually the large companys have well run finishing schedules with step boards to follow. They ought to be able to replace your existing doors and still match the color. It is worth a shot. As to warpage on doors, yes, lay it flat on a known flat surface, pull the knob and lay it on it's back. Now, almost every door company I have ever heard of has a set of standards on warpage, depending on size. A 1/8" warp is usually not considered defective in a 36" long door. Longer doors are more likely to warp, many companies do not guarantee warpage over a certain length. And if these are screwed to the wall out of level or twisted because one side is level and the other isn't, then the door isn't the problem. Get a level and check the front face on both sides. they ought to be level, or at least the same on both sides.

There are several different types of finished sides, though most manufacturers don't offer all of those options. Here are some descriptions and photos that illustrate (all from Medallion): - Flat finished sides. Flat plywood (or MDF) with a surface veneer stained to match. These are simple, inexpensive and inconspicuous -- In other words, they won't get noticed for being 'wrong' or for being 'great'. See the side of this hood? - Applied panel. Basically the same as above, except with an additional 'door' panel stuck on. These look more finished than the above, cost more, but can look like someone 'stuck a door on a flat side' if they're not done well. See the white island side? - Integral raised panel. Here, the 'door' piece is the same size as the entire side of the cabinet, and in fact, the 'door-ish' piece IS the cabinet side. These are the best-looking (IMO) and most expensive. See how the 'door' design fits right in?