Thanks for the additional suggestions -- - So for those who say that the white mat is too stark (and I can see your point) What would you suggest instead? - Oopsie - Are you suggesting I rest the painting on the mantle? - Barb - I tried the light pot up there, but thought it just looked like pot-pot-pot... The clock was a different type and material, so it broke the pot-pot-pot thing -- though I agree it's not perfect. A 'horsehair pot' gets it's decoration from horesehair dribbled onto the hot pot straight out of the kiln. That's what gives it the smoky brown haze effect and ridged lines -- actual burned hores hair. - CrazyOne - The fireplace stone is cultured stone in the Chardonnay color, Southern Ledgestone pattern. The seat and mantle are natural limestone slabs. And while it's supposedly legal for wood-burning, we prefer the instant gratification of gas, so that's what we use. No glass or curtain -- but if I find exactly the right screen someday... Here is a link that might be useful: Horse Hair Pottery

thanks for all the input -- very helpful in thinking about this decision. I just wrote a long post that got eaten before I submitted, so I'll be brief. ctycdm, that is a gorgeous kitchen! magsnj, your pantry and space is so charming - the blue cabs are adorable. We don't have a pantry space in his home (1957 house), so we're having to be creative with our cabinet layout. I think we're going to do a modified version of open shelves. I really do love the look, and I think functionality wise they work for us (I too get sick of opening and closing cabinet doors), but we're lacking cabinet space in this kitchen. It's just not that big. So, we're contemplating a smaller cabinet with a shelf underneath for storing everyday items like plates, cups and wine glasses. It would look sort of similar to the henrybuilt ones that iheartgiantschaunzers posted or maybe even something like this (our cabs won't look anything like this, but this is just the general idea): [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mid-century-modern-suite-hampstead-transitional-home-office-vancouver-phvw-vp~4309142) [Midcentury Home Office[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/midcentury-modern-home-office-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_732~s_2115) by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators i3 design group Another design we're considering is (kitchen is not my style, but just an example): [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tarrytown-house-asian-kitchen-austin-phvw-vp~101835) [Asian Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/asian-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2102) by Austin Architects & Designers Webber + Studio, Architects Still working out the design kinks but this thread has been very helpful, so thanks!

@Beth H et al.. yes, and I'm really thrilled with all of the recommendations, everyone has style and it's great to see varying opinions. So I don't want to think anyone has wasted their time, I think down the road in the near future, we will go with something built out pretty much like you were suggesting early on. As we just finished the remodel within the last year, we are not up for building anything out or even tiling the wall at this point. We don't need new furniture at the moment (kids will ruin it anyway). For now, we were looking for something minor / superficial, if that's the correct verbiage. While we know now, that it may not look "perfect", it's where we're at now. That said, we don't want to do anything (now) with the fireplace, what we are open to is: some type of shelving (which would have to be shallow in depth, I think), definitely plants (faux preferably), artwork or like I mentioned (which may have gotten lost), is maybe B&W canvas print collage (I'm a part-time photographer and we have zero photos of our kids displayed). We are also open to putting a small corner piece to the left side, but it would have to be very small footprint as we only have about 12" from the wall to the lightswitch near the slider, but after hearing/seeing some of the plant options, I think we prefer that. Another note, we (I) have a floor subwoofer to the right hand side, you can see my wife's aerogarden sitting on top of it until we find a home for it :) Hopefully, that helps, again, I really do appreciate everyone weighing in and taking a lot of time for the mock ups. -Matt

can I please just say, get the lamp shades for the chandy's and no the floor lamps are not to small, and up light is NOT reading light. If you want reading light, get a floor lamp reading light it puts light where you need it and is non intrusive. I'm sorry but I just cant with some of the lighting suggestions. Going taller with floor lamps will not help reading. getting an adjustable floor lamp with a pharmacy shade, is infact for reading. Visually it is not going to stick out like a sore thumb. interesting - the floor lamps are too short??? I have struggled with the darn height and shade size for 9 years. I dislike when seated seeing the bulb.