The only thing that would bother me is what the Heron might think..:)

I'm looking at it (him? her?) now-and I see him not only looking nice there, but feeling very happy, like the mantle is his, and like he's this fireplace's keeper:) He's at home there. So if you're fine with him being there-there's a good reason for it. You know what's better for your Heron, because you see him being happy over there..slightly busy, but in charge..:)

The sconces are fab.

I would also keep the heron. The only thing you might consider, is changing the color of the matting. Someone else mentioned it, but the white mat really stands out. I would have it rematted with something softer that doesn't compete with the image or your beautiful fireplace.

I'm the odd man out, I prefer the trees. I don't like art work with glass on it. The reflections annoy me but that's just me. I love the texture and organic feel of the tree painting.

Love the heron plus I'm not a fan of mass produced artwork or decor that has no personal meaning and is just purchased to fill a space.

I've always loved your art. I like the heron print there. I don't dislike the trees, but the heron wins hands down. I like the blue ottoman too and think that's a great way to add more blue to the room. Is there blue in the rug? Like the sconces too.

Hi Pappapoodle! Could you take a long shot photo of your room ?

I LOVE the Audubon - he's perfect in your room. So is that chair - it's NOT "doll house" size - it's a normal size Martha Washington chair and quite handsome. Bring it back!

Keep the heron, and save up for a big real painting. Then heron can go live with the blue and white chair, cause they have a thing goin' on.

Here's the fireplace with the tree pic

I quite like the heron print, though, and I think I prefer it to the trees. I'd be interested to see the previous conversation and how it came around to replacing the heron (I tried to search but didn't find it).

Love the heron. Maybe put a green mat instead of the white. Like the green in the print and the vase.

I like the trees, but prefer the heron over the fireplace. Could you hang the "trees" on the wall?

Mass made art is like showing up at a party in the same dress as someone else. No way.

Well, I'm sure we are all driving you nuts by now lol. I did mock ups of the pictures I posted above and didn't like them. I'm wondering if you could get a different size in your Huron print? I like the Huron but the size is off and and I mentioned above...the mat is to bright. This looks just right.

This looks too big.

Please keep the heron. :) Another colored mat might be just the ticket and it's an easy enough change to make, but that's entirely up to you.

I like the size. I think it's just right. Very balanced. Very cool bird. The mat is fine. The mat is there for Heron to stand out. Not to match fireplace better. If anything-I'd go for darker mat. But I think it's just fine as it is where it is. Team Heron:)

I think the size of the heron is good. And I like it better than the trees although the trees is a neat picture!

The light mat also bothers me and to me actually takes the focus away from the bird. I think a soft gray or something similarly subtle would look very nice.

I like the bird. It reminds me of the kiwi bird from crate and barrel.

I disagree about the current mat being too bright. I really like the way it draws your eye to the artwork and relates to the other light elements you have in the space. I personally wouldn't change a thing.

I agree about the mat not being too bright. It relates to the white in the chair and the lamp shade, just as the green in the picture relates to the green vase.

I wouldn't change a thing with the picture. I think it's the perfect size and the matting is just right - not too dull, not too bright. I like the chair, too.

I think your heron is perfect as is. Of course, I may be biased. :-)

Thank you all for your comments & photoshop!!

Sorry I disappeared for a bit-- family and life issues came up recently.

I will keep the heron & wait until I get the sconces to make a final decision on matting change. And it saves me some $$!

So excited about the sconces-- should be here in a few weeks!

This is the piece I have on the other side of FP that faces the kitchen. Do you think it works?

I like the tree picture better but I think the heron one looks better over your fireplace.

I agree that if the heron means something to you, that's what you should use. However, I strongly disagree that just because something is mass marketed means you shouldn't use it if you love it. You didn't choose it because it's trendy or popular, you specifically said it reminds you of your home. I think it's a pretty painting, and what really matters is whether or not the art means something to you, whether it's from art.com or Pottery Barn or a gallery or passed down from a family member. It should make you happy when you look at it.

That being said, I'm not sure I love the framing of the heron if it is a piece that is special to you. And I feel off today because I can't really explain it - it's not that it's framed badly. The colors are balanced. When I look at the picture alone, it has a misty sort of quality to it, and it is peaceful and a little mysterious at the same time, and it grows on me. I think the way it's framed kind of makes it boring, like background art you would walk by instead of standing out as something you love. Usually I wouldn't ever say something like that without a suggestion, because it seems unproductive, but I'm a little stumped on this one, because the way it's framed is perfectly nice. I just keep thinking it shouldn't be matted, it should have a deep frame?

Actually, I know what is off about it to me. The mat makes it feel like the painting is light and makes it stand out from the fireplace, it doesn't actually stand out on it's own. Partly because the left side the picture is light and the right it is not, so the mat contrasts with the print. Which is why I notice the mat so much when I look at the picture, even though it is nice and neutral. I'm wondering about a darker frame, so that there is contrast between both the mid tones and light tones of the painting.

I'm a fan of the Heron, but not as much the double piece on the other side. To me it reads busy with the stone work, but at the same time too much beige and not enough art, if that makes sense?

Maybe keep the Audubon them, I think the nature scenes work with the stone, and keep a cohesive feel in the room?

Sorry, I also don't think the double picture on the other side of the fireplace works. It just doesn't have much impact and therefore doesn't hold the eye. The Audubon print that aimee shows just above is lovely; perhaps that would work on the other side, although if you like the print with the trees I think that would also be effective.

I have a similar print to the "trees" painting. It's in my bedroom. I love it, but I agree with others that your Blue Heron needs to stay.

Glad you're keeping the heron. Yes, I think the art works on the other side! Also love the antler. :)

Not sure you really need the sconces.

I think the double matted pic opposite side from the heron would look beautiful hanging on your wall to the left of the fireplace. Since you have a framed piece on the other side, what would you think of something different on this side...a large wreath or other type decor with more emphasis on decorating the mantel?

Maybe it's the lighting on this side of the fireplace, or how the furniture on this side is neutral, but I'd like to see more color in the artwork than what is there now. I can't actually make out the subject matter (or color, if there is any) of the double print from your photo. Can you show us a close-up?

Since you're planning on adding sconces, I would not use the double-matted piece as it's going to look too busy. I still think the heron is the perfect choice for above the fireplace.

It's been musical art today!! Sorry for the poor iPad photo quality.

The double matted Audubon is auditioning in the bedroom. Excuse the not so made bed & white linen drapes on thin wrought iron French return rod will be hung, hopefully this week.

Big bird is on the kitchen side- seeing if he likes his spot.

I forgot I had this piece at my moms house- guess I have a thing for trees & birds:) and dogs, too.

Anything a better fit?

The strongest reaction I'm having is to the double matted Audubon in the bedroom- I really like it.

The fall tree picture, I'm iffy on the fireplace. And being so fallish feeling. Not bad at this time of year, but might get sick of it. It looks like it's a matted canvas, but the glass glare is bothersome to me. Could I remove the glass to cut the glare & see more of the canvas-- that it's not a print?

But, I think I really like the heron better. Thoughts, please..........

I also have this one, that does mean something to me. Dog etching. They would have to be hung on the FP to give some height

I like the heron in a natural setting on the stone. The new one has no presence. I'm sure it stands out more in person. Blue and orange enhance each other so matching the rust of the rug is on the dull side, imo. I guess you've nixed the small blue and white chair but it looked great in there and the blue added a lot.

Will there be sconces on both sided of the fireplace--facing into both rooms, I mean? I love the dog picture but can't tell if it shows up enough. Maybe you should wait until the sconces are installed.

The piece in the bedroom looks PERFECT in there! I like the heron wherever you choose to put it and it really brightens that side of the fireplace. The trees look good, too, but not as good as the heron, imo. I can't be objective about the dogs pic because I hate dogs, so would never decorate with them. But I do think it looks a little dull, too similar in color to the stone.

I like the double mat bird on in the bedroom better and prefer the dogs on the other side of the fp. The colors of the tree one are nice and I think you could use either, but think the dog print looks more custom and.... well, I just like dogs.

ETA - I also think the last tree pic looks like something you could find locally off the shelf. Nothing wrong with that, but I don't think it has quite the same custom look as the dog picture does.

Yes to birds in bedroom, and yes to dog on the fireplace! I

The dogs, to my eye it is perfect. The color of the matting blends well and does not compete with the fireplace. The print stands out well and the colors are in harmony with the fireplace. I don't think you could have shopped for a better one.

The dogs would seem rather small for a spot like that. Can you take a picture further back.

The trees are dull up there-- that's it! What I couldn't articulate.. I've put the chair in my bedroom & really like it in there with the double matted Audubon in there now, Snookums. I'll get another shot.

Junco, here is a pic I played around with adding the sconces. I would have to hang the picture to get more height & hopefully more presence.

Shee, I agree about the tree picture. It's a filler, not statement piece.

Thank you Elizabethpa & pattixlynn- I'm glad y'all like them!!

Im trying to work with what I have & not buy something just to fill a place. I would like to find something else for the FP, maybe another big Audubon- but having a party next weekend & can't have blank FP. I don't think my sconces will be here in time for the party:(

I like the dogs. I'm not sure if they're too small from here but since you've got two sides of the fireplace to work with, the dogs would seem like a good choice for one side. That picture has a good earthy feel and coloring that works. Heron on the other side.

I think the Heron will claim his fireplace back))

Olychick, hate dogs?!? yep, hate em, so to me using them in decor is probably like using snakes or spiders would be for others.

eta: I had to edit this because it sounds so monstrous to hate dogs...I don't really hate all dogs and there are so many cute/sweet ones that are fine. But the whole hunting dog love in decor is really beyond my understanding, so I can't really be objective about how it looks. It always looks wrong to me.

Snookums, I'm losing steam now so it will be the dogs on den side- hung higher & heron on kitchen side.

Aprilneverends, lol- team heron!! Does it count that he's watching over all the kitchen action?!?

Olychick, I get it & no offense!! But, spiders, for me-- no way!! Ha I live in the south & it's just a way of life here & what I know. My DH grew up with setters. I also like dogs better than people sometimes!! Ha I have 2 etchings by this artist & I really like not only the subject but the technique & effect. But art is totally subjective & reflective of a persons individuality &what makes the world go round:)

Love the dogs and love the heron.