10' arched mirror over fireplace. To keep or not to keep?
Our fireplace is centered on the west wall of our living room which has a 2-story ceiling. There is a mirror starting from the mantel running up to within 1 foot of the ceiling. It is arched and framed in wood painted an off-white. On both sides of the fireplace are windows, also arched and framed, but about a foot shorter than the mirror. The mirror seems overwhelming to me and does not reflect anything of value. The two windows and the fireplace make up the entire wall so there is nothing to balance the impact of all that mirror and glass. I also feel the size of the mantel and fireplace opening is too small for the height of the room. If we removed the mirror, what would we replace it with? Wood, rock, tile, a brick facia? Please give me some suggestions.
Comments (24)
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Comments (30)Before I did anything, I'd think long and hard about how I want to use the space and how I want to live in the space. Do you like having lots of noise and seeing everyone and everything? Do you all listen to the same music all the time? Mind someone else's TV watching? Is media viewing central to your main activities in the house? Do you want to have a quiet space? A reading area? Do you have hobbies that should be accommodated? Work from home? Do you use a formal dining room? Do you entertain a lot? If so, is it casual or more formal? Do you have/will you have children and need to keep an eye on them? Need play space? Storage? To me, regardless of how a room may have originally been designed, it needs to fit *your* lifestyle. For example, if you don't dine formally, why have space for that? Once you've thought about how much time you spend doing which activities, then it's easier to figure out how much space you want to devote to which. I view a house as a "plant" that is designed to support the activities and functions that take place in the house. It's how you use it that will determine the layout. Once you figure that out, you'll know whether the fireplace is a help or a hindrance to your lifestyle. Open concept is visually impressive but very public and noisy to live with. A la Sarah Susanka, open concept is great provided you also have an "away" space where you can be private and cozy and away from the madding crowd. We have "open concept" with our Kit, FR, Brk Nook all open to each other. There are only the 2 of us and it seems to work. But we also have away spaces which we use often as well. We've found a balance of the 2 is best for us. That may be a consideration for you....See MoreIs this fireplace too dated to keep? Is a linear the only way to go?
Comments (16)oh, I didn't see the TV plan. I get why you want to move it, it's not central enough for your couch. but if you want to put it above the fireplace, it'll be too high (as in, bad for your neck). since you dislike the hearth, then rip it all out and install a floor level FP with a really flat hearth (or no hearth) and no mantle. put the TV above it. PS: you can only mount a TV above a gas FP, unless you plan on never burning wood in there. the heat from wood burning is really bad for electronics. also don't do stacked stone. it's pretty much out of style already (sorry!). not quite sure what else to suggest, I'm not much of a traditional person. maybe tile? picture this: see how this FP is low enough to have a TV above it, and is tiled: now picture that design, but with dark wood and darker tile: Sorry I can't find an inspiration photo that illustrates what I'm thinking. kind of like this, but with no mantle and a TV above it, and built in bookcases on either side:...See More
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Here is what it will look like without the mirror.
It's too bad there is no way to antique the mirror to make it more artistic.
judysmoger thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Denita
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRemove the mirror. That entire wall needs a revamp. At least if the mirror is removed and possibly window treatments added like pic 2 below, it will soften the area. I'm no designer. I think you need a good ID to treat that wall as a whole element within the room rather than just removing the mirror. BTW, I'm not suggesting either of these styles, just the concept with the large arches surrounding the FP without a mirror above and the window treatments to soften those windows.
Tuscan Style in River Oaks: Living Room · More Info
Westlake Village - French Provincial · More Infojudysmoger thanked Denita
judysmoger
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
katinparadise
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI think adding stacked stone is going to make it just as heavy and disproportionate-just in another material. I agree with leaving it in drywall, adding a great chandelier in the middle of the room and adding artwork over the fireplace. I couldn't quite shrink the artwork enough, but hopefully it gives you a visual.
judysmoger thanked katinparadise
BeverlyFLADeziner