I think freshening is more the idea than modernizing...I would choose a rich neutral value of a color you like and paint the inside of the bookcases and the wall over the mantel. I'd paint the brick black (and I like palimpsest's idea for soapstone as well). Then I'd hang a very large mirror in a very simple frame (I like a dirtied mix of gold and silver leaf) over the mantel. I'd take away the things on the mantel shelf itself, stand a few large ivory colored pillar candles in varying heights to the sides, put the clock in the center of the lower bookshelf on the right, and reshuffle your photos and bowls into asymmetrical balanced groups, with some of each on every shelf.

paintergirl94 - yep, way too contemporary for us. I mean, we live in a not old house but we not fans of contemporary at all. justgottabe me - what's that the say about the shoemaker's kids go barefoot? :) I hope you get your cabinets soon. curyly - yes, I think I'll need a rug too, once I get the paint picked and can figure out if I want a couple more chairs in there. Wow, Joann, your home is lovely and I am in awe that you made all those mantles and that beautiful furniture. What I love about your pieces is that it doesn't look like something newly made, but something that has been in the house for years and blends with antiques. Wish we had those skills but alas, ours run in a different direction. I really appreciate all the info that I can pass to the handyman. I sent him one email last night and he sounded very up for the challenge. I'm thinking though, that I will go ahead and get the room painted and everything else mostly arranged so then we can focus on the mantle. And Joann, gardener me is over the moon at your beautiful pond pics. I had those bookmarked a few years ago when we were looking for houses and had hoped to be able to put in a pond. Alas we have too small of a yard for one (just several water pondless features instead.) but your pond pages are still some of my favorites. Oh, and paintergil, here's the picture over the fireplace. I know the other things on the mantle are out of scale and can be moved around though the bronze figurine will likely stay there. Jan - love that you noticed that dark bowl on top of the other cabinet and my blue and white! I can't wait to get to tablescaping....my favorite part of decorating! Now back to the paint store for more samples to slap on some boards. I am almost sold on Baby Turtle in this room but since it gets very little natural light, I worry that it will be too dark. I can't seem to find another green/brown that has as much depth or interest or whatever you call it. :) Flowering Herbs, the next one up from Baby Turtle, seems too light. Thank you, again, all. So many wonderful things to think about.

Remove the mirro it reflects nothing worth seeing twice . I do not like all the stuff on shelves in kitchens but if this is the look you love then get piece of art thay would look great in the kitchendecor and put it on the mantel to beging with then candles more like the ones in the kitchen only a bit taller and bigger around . IMO the Edison bulbs in all the fitures are casting a yellow glow on everything IMO not falttering but you need to decide if that yellow glow is what is making your kitchen feel warm along with the kitchen wall color, which I bet if you changed all your bulbs to LED 4000K ,would look very different too.

What? Faux wood tile as a hearth? The brick is still way too busy, and. The faux wood is worse. Paint the brick so the grout lines disappear.