I think you have too much on the bottom (hearth). Keep the fireplace tools where they are and remove the jar/candle. Try centering the horse to the right of the firebox...nothing else. The framed art on the mantel is fine to me (looks like a Charles Wysocki print?). A black frame might be a better fit. The hurricanes and candles you have there now look lost against the white brick. The right end of the mantel might work with a grouping of (black) candle holders in different heights. Make sure it's an odd number...3 or 5. Mantels and hearths are best when kept simple. Some open space is just fine...and calming.

Move the horse plaque up top. Put all 3 candles on top, to the right of the painting, putting one of the smaller ones on a book to raise it up. Your goal is to have 3 different heights. Move the fireplace tools to the right of the fireplace. Leave the branches and wooden box where they are. I wouldn’t add too much stuff or overdecorate. Try this and take another photo.

I wouldn't do that. Keep it clean and simple.

following

Is it a wood burning fireplace with candles inside ? if wood burning a pretty wood basket with pretty wood on the bottom and carefully curated items up top - the top height is short so careful you dont crowd the space. If fireplace is gas - or if you are short of seating space a few pillows on the bottom could create a nice little bench area

Also whatever you put up there hang it properly- dont rest against the wall like your current print- you can use the velcro strips etc vs nail if you dont want to drill into the wall

I like option 2. I would put the fireplace tools to the right of the fireplace, along with the branches and box so that you have a grouping of 3 items together. It’s more pleasing to the eye.

Try putting the horseshoe candles to the left of the painting.

Oprion three! Less is far MORE! A larger more important vessel for the branches, add the wooden box if you like. Then spell STOP !!!!

This makes the horse read as important , sculptural folk art vs a collectible from you know where........:)

Wow...you are a real trouper to go through all this! I actually prefer Option 3, but I'm more of a minimalist. The horse looks good to me by itself on the mantel. You could try centering it over the firebox, then place a trio of dark candle holders to the right in varying heights. For me something darker would look better against the white brick than clear glass. I see you only have two of the horseshoe candle holders, and they don't look quite tall enough to me.

Maybe a trio similar to these but darker...like the darkest stripe on the horse.

Jan, TWO? What about THREE?

Centering the horse above the mantel (option 3) only emphasizes the asymmetry of the fireplace. It is jarring to the eye.

ShadyWillowFarm, I know you're getting all kinds of suggestions here. Hopefully, they've been helpful. What matters is what looks best to YOU. :-)

I meant three! I meant THREE!!!! God, I hate the phone : ) Plus I was having wine! Everything else I said, stands. lordylordylordylordylordy!!! lol

Thank you chloebud.

BTW......did you guys get this tidbit? "havingfun" a frequent Houzzer commentor, passed away Saturday evening 4/13. Got a Houzz email from her DH this am.

That branch thing is making me nuts. For now? Take the two horse shoe candle holders and put two tall fat pillar candles in them make one candle taller than the other, and tuck close to that vase/urn thingy which is too teeeeeeeny weeeeny.: )

With that, you've told a nice "story".......and all the rest? Not on the mantel.....not on the hearth. Curate.......edit .

Jan, wine gets me a lot, too! Got a glass of Pinot Grigio with me right now. :-)

I haven't been on Houzz that long but do remember numerous posts from havingfun. What happened???

No idea what happened to her. I do remember , and he mentioned it in email, that she was very much confined to her home for medical reasons. I also remember her mentioning same in many comments she posted.

A sweet DH, to consider her affection for this site, and even bother to send emails! Clearly something very important to her daily routine. I am reminded of Sophie W. ..........and the rest I need not say. Right?

Geez, that's so sad. She seemed to have a good sense of humor...hence the screen name. I agree her DH was sweet to realize she enjoyed posting here and let you know via email.

Less is definitely more here, otherwise it all begins to look cheap and tacky, and that would be a shame. I have a rather similar fireplace, although mine at least has the firebox in the middle. I hope you don't mind if I add a picture of mine because it's so very similar to yours. I tried to keep it simple. If you don't use those fireplace tools I would eliminate them. Don't have anything that you don't love or that you think is beautiful.

I love your horse-shape...stand? It matches your home:) Where did you buy that? My home has the same style as yours, but I fix the frame on the wall and replace it with a @HDgenius digital one for my parents. They love to see my photos switching even I do not live with them.

https://www.hdgenius.com/13-INCH-WIFI-PHOTO-FRAME-product.html#