The only thing wrong with the lamps currently there is the shades are too dark. A white or off white would work with the room so much better. Your new lights are a much better fit for your room.

I'd add to the shelf area as inspiration hits and not all in one day.

I think your room is lovely and the picture works very well there for me. I think just a few key items will be the finishing touches needed.

Wonderful room! :)

I do like the present lamps -- but the new ones are really wonderful! Lovely texture!

As for accessories -- simply check around for good looking pottery items that reflect the colors in your room.

Or check out clocks -- maybe an older one with clean lines that would work on your mantel ....

Or perhaps this kind of vintage style clock (see link) from Pottery Barn ....

Here is a link that might be useful: PB -- clock

Thanks dianalo. I forgot to mention that the shelves are also in need of attention. I was just waiting for some burst of inspiration and ,more important, a way to use all the left over decorating accessories from my last house. Do you think I should replace the lampshades on the current lamps or use the new ones and find some thing else for my end tables?

I'm sharing another picture so you can see the rug in front of the fireplace. Most of the items in the room could be switched out but the rug will stay.

teacats,

I love the clock and I am also a big fan of pottery. Its pulling it all together in such a large tall space that is my downfall. Do you have some pictures that would give me some ideas for how to arrange those kinds of items. Thanks.

I have had the problem of "filling up" large wall spaces in a new home,too. I found that hanging a quilt is as easy fix on a large wall. So are large, flat baskets hung on the wall or over the fireplace.

Can you put your new lamps where your current ones are and then put the current ones where you planned to put the new ones? I believe you could use the "mass" up there.

As you decorate up there (taking your time and hopefully using things you already have), I'd try to keep the height of the various objects so they roughly slope down with your ceiling. Your picture is the apex and the lamp heights do currently slope down. Nice start!!!

What a wonderful space you have created. Love the wall color and the whole fireplace wall with the cabinetry.

I think the lamps up there now are nice, but perhaps you have too many scrolly iron things in the room with the tables, chandelier and those lamps.

Instead of regular lamps up there, I would like to see wall-mounted sconces or lamps. I think it would take the eye up a little more, and open up the top of the cabinets for a nice collection of framed photos, perhaps a planter on one side, a globe or armillary, etc.

Perhaps something like this? These are not hard-wired, tho that would be an alternative that would then eliminate the plugs and cords and outlets. Perhaps down the line you could consider that. For now you could use cord covers to help with the cords showing.

doughnut sconce

I love this one, but it is hardwired. You could have a plug added, tho.

rectangle bronze lamp

I love the new lamps you bought, and would use them on end tables as planned. Your rug is pretty, but honestly I think it is too small for the space. That is something you can address down the line.

I love the piece of art over the fireplace, but I think it is hung too high. Bring it down about 1/2 the distance that exists right now between the top of the mantel and the bottom of the frame.

Also, I think the pix hanging on the side wall is too low. I would bring it up maybe 6 inches or so.

Bettymnz4- When the new lamps arrive I will take a picture of them on the mantle.I see your point about adding more mass.

Les. I totally agree that I have gotten carried away with scrolly wrought iron theme. I like the idea of sconces I may do a little online shopping. The picture to the left of the fireplace is strictly temporary I just can't decide what I want to replace it with. I appreciate the suggestion to lower the picture above the fp. I will definitely do that when the time is right. I will have to find a time when DH is in a REALLY good mood. The hearth extends out so far that it is really difficult to get close enough the wall to hang pictures. He muttered bad words the whole time he was hanging the picture the last time. LOL

very pretty room, i like it very much! i agree with lighter shades, and like the way the plant on the left balances the open shelves on the right. very pretty rug too!

sidney - What a lovely room. I'm anxious to see what you come up with for your firplace, because I'm trying to figure out what to do with mine also. I love you wall color. Can you tell me what it is?

Laurie

I think a large round mirror (but NOT a starburst) would look great over your fireplace. You could check craiglist or overstock for a cheap one.

Laurie,The FP wall is SW Portico and the opposing walls are SW Wool Skein. Please share pictures of your fireplace. What are you thinking of doing? I can't find any ideas online. Most fireplaces I've seen with cabinets like mine have windows above them which really helps to break up the wall space.

Redecor8. Good suggestion. I have thought a lot about putting a large round mirror above the fireplace. I think it would reflect the light from the chandelier. I have my eye on a couple but they are kind of pricey so I've decided to postpone that purchase,for now.

Sideny - I just have a regular fireplace, not with the cabinets like you do. I just bought this mirror, but haven't figured out what else to put up there.

Laurie

Here's one -- but it does have full-length bookcases.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hutker Architects -- fireplace inspiration photo

Laurie,Nice. I seem to recall seeing that on another thread. How big is your mirror? Scale seems to be the problem for me. I can't figure how big or tall everything needs to be. The space above the fireplace is 5'6" x6'.The height above the cabinets is even greater. Objects can get dwarfed easily in a space like that.

I like les's idea of using sconces and have started thinking along those lines but there are very few plug in sconces that fit the bill.

I haven't had much luck finding inspiration photos on line but I did found a picture of a fireplace where the entire area above the mantle is covered with mirrors. Its a great concept but doesn't solve the dilemma of how to treat the flanking wall space. I have started looking at large vases with branches. That seems like an affordable way add accessories with height.

teacats,

Thanks for the photo. I am wondering how a variation of your fireplace decor would look if I supersized the two floral arrangements and moved them to either side of the fp. Note the hydrangeas on the table in the picture below. I'm wondering if that would be the right scale. I think the color combination is a good fit for my room. BTW , here is the link to the rest of the house. My home is in a wooded setting and I really like they way they incorporated natural elements into the decorating. http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/blue-ridge-mountain-homes-1110

sidney - The mirror is 32" and to be honest I haven't even put it up there to check the size yet. I love it so much, I'm going to use it even if a bigger size would be a little bit better. As you can see, I have a large area above my fireplace too.

I just saw a picture somewhere and I can't remember where now, but it had three exact mirrors that were framed above the fireplace. It reminds me a little of your inspiration picture. I'll have to retrace some of my steps and see if I can remember where I saw it.

Laurie

Here's the picture I saw. I was looking at chemmom's post and followed the link to her blog. The white frames may not work in your house, but it still gives you an idea of how to use mirrors.

Here is a link that might be useful: chemmon's post

Laurie,

I think the mirror will look great above your fireplace. What colors do you plan to mix with it? I like the fact that you could swap in any number of colors and styles and it would fit in.

Thanks for sharing the picture of the wood framed mirrors. I do like that. I actually think that might be something I want to do in my lower level family room.

Les, I was able to find a plug in version similar to the sconce you were recommending. What do you think of this option?

Here is a link that might be useful: Plug in wall sconce

I like the one you found. Be sure to order cord covers in the same finish to cover the cords going down the wall.

But before you do that, if you have a lighting store in your area, ask them about converting hard-wired fixtures to plug-in. I believe there are conversion kits that you can buy, or you can have an electrician do it for you. That would open up many more choices for you.

I would put square shaped paintings on either side and put picture lighting over each one of them.

i think big mirror in the center and large artwork on the flank walls.

Yes.

Another vote for a round mirror in the center space -- and two artworks on each side. Would work so well with the two black iron lamps. And then you could use your new lamps by your sofa.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I like it as it is for now. I wouldnt hurry it. It will decorate itself as you live there.

I like light on top of the cabinets, but don't really care for table lamps up there. How about matching lantern type low wattage lights just to add some coziness.