Take the iron square piece off for now. Slide the mirror over to the left, so that it sits a few inches in from the edge of the mantel. Now hang the iron piece on the right side, above the boxes (and pull them in to the left a bit so they don't hang off the end of the mantel). Hang the iron piece so that it gives some height, but is still a couple of inches below the top line of the mirror. Take the two glass candle holders and put the same color candle in both (preferable something like the red, to bring some color besides browns up there. Place them in the center area, grouped with the diffuser. Get some red dried flowers or sticks of some kind to add to the diffuser to help link them with the candle color. (I did that in the fall by adding some dried wheat stalks, which also absorbed the diffuser oil). Try placing the tall metal bottle on the left end, in just a bit from the edge of the mirror so it overlaps, and if the top is open, add a few of the ecucalyptus stems that I see down below. The metallic gold bottle doesn't seem to fit in, but if you really still want it up there, place it tucked to the right and a bit forward of the tall metal bottle.

@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

My goodness, is that really a live fish? I would for one thing move it away from the fireplace and give it a much larger space, preferably not in the living room. An area rug over your carpet, perhaps tying in with the teal colors of your pillows, if you decide to go in that direction, would also give more life and color to your room. Try esalerugs for transitional rugs in polypropylene which are easy to care for an can even be hosed off outside when they get dirty.

Well first of all, I have to comment on the pictures jalarse posted - those mantels! Those ships! All that amazing millwork! And the extent of the themes down to the whimsical oars! The work of some true artists there - I really enjoyed those pictures. This one was a toughie for me! I’m just going to ask and throw it out there - you can completely ignore me, but are you considering painting the brick? I only ask because I think the color of the brick is a bit hard to determine in pictures and the walls (and light at night) give it a strong yellow cast. With it going all the way to the ceiling it certainly makes itself known in the room. Not a bad thing by any means (I promise I don’t always want to paint brick), but I think paint would allow for art or the mirror to be the main focus of the mantel instead of the brick. Ok! Off my paint box... I think as you suggested, a mirror would look lovely. I think we all have a tendency to try to fill such a tall space but as long as the mirror is wide enough and the accessories large enough in scale, we can keep the decor close to the mantel while maintaining a full, finished, and proportional look. I mocked up a simple, symmetrical look - this mirror is from Ballard Designs “select-a-size” collection as your fireplace can definitely handle a large, wide mirror. A chunkier frame will keep it from disappearing into the sea of brick. The hurricanes are the London hurricanes from Crate & Barrel and they are affordable and come in multiple sizes. The largest and second largest sizes will look best. These accessories can be built upon based on the season and/or holiday so you can hang your wreath from a grosgrain ribbon on the mirror and fill the hurricanes with whatever seasonal accoutrement strike you. And I threw in some linen roman shades from pottery barn to give the windows a more finished look. Hopefully that helps inspire you to find the items that best speak to you for the space. Oh! And those cutie pies on the mantel would look great front and center on a table a bit lower - like side or end table. Have fun decorating!