what about some colorful decorative vases, or maybe something crystal or clear like a hurricane, or something taller more narrow ones filled with silver and red xmas balls? Maybe you could do something that would grow an araryllis in it? Or something smaller and square shaped pot that would hold an orchid? one on each side?

how much space do you have to work with? it's hard to tell from the picture. maybe some kind of a garland? I could see like a magnolia garland draped across.

I like the idea about garland...what about topiaries? They would give you height. Not sure how much space you have to work with on each side.

By the way, love your wall color...what color is it?

I wouldn't put anything on it.

Ringa, The mantel depth is 9" and the width of the columns is 7". I have tried all sorts of vases and such and they just dont to look right to me.

decorinva, the wall color is a Behr color,a yellow based neutral called Harvest Brown, but not Behr paint.

graywings, curious on why you wouldnt put anything. Could you elaborate?

well the garland maybe strung with some little twinkle lights? simple not cluttered,

Found this website with lots of different garlands
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/crystalgarland1.html

Overstock.com had a bunch of faux silk orchids

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a crystal garland (see link above)

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Is it almost to the ceiling? I'm not sure I would put anything on it, either. Maybe just a short (in height) but trailing ivy. Then, perhaps a grouping of 3 pictures placed vertically on either side.

hollygarden, it is 8 feet high in a 10 ft room.

I agree with putting nothing on the mantel. But if you want something, maybe some thin, tall ivy topiaries?
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: Topiary

sorry I meant to say, it is 8 feet high in a room with 10 foot ceiling

What is the goal you are trying to achieve with the mantel? Do you want more color there? Does the area look unfinished to you? Do you feel that all mantles require something on them? Or something else?

It just doesn't look like there's enough room to do much on the mantel itself, with the size of the TV set. Anything tall enough to make an impact will have to be pretty narrow, and that's just not proportionate to the whole fireplace/mantel/tv screen.

What I'd do is put something tall beside the fireplace, like a taller tree or plant. Or stack two or three pictures, hanging the lowest one really low. Or a tall, narrow tapestry.

My first thought was that it was no longer a mantle, it was the area below the TV. No reason to dress it. From a practical standpoint, anything of substance on the mantle will interfere with viewing, and you don't really have much depth to work with. Fortunately, you have interesting details in the woodwork surround, so there is not really a need for further embellishment.

And this is just my opinion, but I prefer to see a good sized picture over a fireplace rather than a bunch of do-dads on the mantle. Dressing a mantle creatively is difficult due to size restrictions. As a result, there is a proliferation of candles and topiaries and ivy.

There really isn't much visual space to place anything on the mantel. It doesn't look very deep from here, either, if you were to do something on the end(s), which I think would look a bit displaced. If you wanted to soften it a bit, the garland idea might work, not too elaborate. Or a shallow oblong decorative glass bowl/dish for some color and a less utilitarian feel. Otherwise, try doing something beside the mantel, as suggested. Something tall and something low.

I would put a pretty basket in front of the fireplace with some really tall candle sticks or vases on the sides, maybe even a small rug. You might be able to put a small chair and table to one side. Work the bottom instead of the top.

What about it don't you like?

I had posted these TV examples in the galley section awhile ago, perhaps you may see something to inspire you.
click on link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Tv

Hard to tell from the pic if this would work, but how about painting the inside of the cubby where the TV is? Maybe the same colour as the wall.

I would probably keep it empty, consider painting the back of the niche either the wall color or black, and hang artwork on the walls to either side.

It is a lovely mantel with thick moldings and the television is the focal point. I think adding "stuff" just makes it look cluttered and overdone. You have a beautiful wall color, great rug and gorgeous flooring...just let it be.

I agree with the others........just leave it alone. The TV isn't located far enough from the mantle to allow decorative items.

The fireplace has enough detail in the moulding on either side, and too little depth on the mantel itself, to warrant adding anything. I think it will only make the mantel area look more crowded and emphasize the lack of depth.

I would add topiary or floor vases filled with tall greenery, branches, etc on either side of the mantel by the wall for softness.

The other thing I would consider is antiquing the moulding a bit to warm it up and balance the darkness of the tv and marble. The antiquing will bring out all the lovely fluting and details on the moulding, which will negate the need for more visual accents.

Thankyou all, I think I agree to let it be, maybe that is why anything I put there just didnt look right to me. I am going to decorate the walls beside the fireplace with color as I have nothing yet on those walls.

I think camlan hit it -
Nothing on the mantle - something with height on other side on the floor
If you decorate the mantle it will be a distraction to viewing the television

looks like a nice room - more pics?

I don't know if this is appealing to you or your style, but I would be tempted to put a picture attached w/velcro or something to cover the tv. I think the moldings around the fireplace surround are so pretty that something like a canvas Monet-type painting would look very nice in that area. Remove picture when tv viewing. Anyway, just an idea.

I've been saving this site for when we get our flat screen, which will be this week. An idea whose time has come :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Art for the Flat Screen TV

Thanks jejvtr, I agree, I am going to decorate around the fireplace instead of the fireplace. This room is not decorated yet, but once done I will post pictures of it.

kkbtoys/wantoretire, thanks for your idea. It is an interesting one but I actually dont mind the look of the bare TV, I would also have to climb on a chair or something everytime we wanted to watch TV to remove the canvas. I have two empty walls beside the fireplace which I will be putting some for of wall art on to add color to that side of the room.