I LIKE the picture...even with the Christmas stuff!

I think the clock is nice, but perhaps too matched with the scrolled piece under the mantel and all the other scrolled metal in the room. I would either remove the under mantel piece, or look for a clock with a solid frame, rather than the scrolled metal.

During the holidays, you could cover the picture with wrapping paper, ribbon and big bow and make it look like a big package up there.

Also, for your year-round look, you might try a few larger pieces up on the mantel, rather than so many small things. The mantel itself has a lot of weight, as does the brick fireplace, and a few larger things might be a more comfortable balance.

A lovely room!

It is a nice clock but I think it would look better on a plain wall not the brick, too busy. The idea of the clock is good, the round shape would look better then the rectangular picture you have now IMO. I would agree a clock with a solid frame would look great, also larger and fewer items on the mantel year round.

Rather than rush into a decision now, I think you'd be able to find a nice wreath, and put it up there for the holidays, to give yourself time to find what you'd really like.

I see lots of sales on them in the flyers, and you can always add ribbon of your choice and cones etc, to make it unique. Maybe not 'Christmas' ribbon, but a beautiful colored metallic that will buy you a few months.

My 2 cents: I like your picture up there- the colors go very well with your room, and the scene is a nice one and when I look at it, it gives me good vibes. I could definitely see switching it out to a wreath during the holidays, but then, if I liked the pic, I would return it to its place after the holidays.

My take on clocks: I know there are some beauties out there (I am particularly fond of grandfather clocks), but to have a big clock staring at me just makes me feel like I have to hurry, and these days, feel like time is passing. It may be that I worked in a job for 20 years where I had to do way to much in too little time and was always rushed, and those feelings return when I see a big clock staring me in the face. The clocks in my house tend to be small and unobtrusive.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I like the picture, too, which is why I think I'm finding it hard to find a replacement. When I viewed the whole room pic I had the same thoughts about the ironwork being overdone. I like the piece under the fireplace so maybe a different style clock is a better choice. Thank you for the suggestion of larger mantel decor, that's a great point.

barb5, I've heard similar feelings about clocks but I've always kind of been drawn to pretty clocks. Funny how they affect people differently.

Pretty clock, but I agree with the consensus. The picture you have up there is wonderful and your mantle decorated for Christmas looks great!

The fireplace brick and wood mantel themselves don't look spring/summer-like, and so changing out the picture for a more seasonal one won't help that, IMO. The picture looks wonderful in that setting and you should keep it there. A Christmas wreath would give you a bit of a change temporarily, as others have said.

You're so right andee, the brick and wood might be what is keeping me from finding the "right" thing. All of the observations here have helped me see this differently. Thanks for the thoughts :-)

How about a big Barn Star? I found mine on ebay. (I've painted it a couple of times-gold might be nice for the holidays).

I take it down at Christmas and hang a decorated wreath.

An excellent suggestion about the large star! More visually "solid" -- and will work well for many seasons:)

Also -- love the suggestion about a basic wreath -- always very very pretty!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage