My house is very simple...and I tend to have a monochromatic decorating style. At times I like things the way they look, but when I take an outsiders view {seeing things from my pictures} things look too simple or just not right. So, it seems I'm constantly moving things around until they "feel" and "look" better...at least for a while...ugh...does anyone else do this?
So here's my mantel...keep in mind, I'm very simple.
Well, not that simple. I had already cleared a few things off before this shot. However, it gives you an idea what I'm working with...antique mantel clock and doornobs.
I added height with the plant, softness with the lace, nature with the shells and tray, and light with the candles.
During the day...a lot of light.
I like it...I think.
It's the refection that I can hardly stand! Who wants to look at a brass colored, builder's grade, 16 year old ceiling fan?
Here's a night view...
...warmer...
...but again, the reflection is not working.
I know what you're thinking...replace the mirror with art. I know. But, remember the room is small. I hung the mirror to make the room look larger.
I like the larger look...
but...
not the reflection.
Here's where I need your help.
Do you have any suggestions?
PLEASE
I honestly would love to hear from you and any ideas you might have to my dilemma.
*****
added: 1.28.10
I wanted to thank everyone for all their suggestions! You all are so creative and sweet to give me such wonderful ideas...
I now have some options that I didn't think of before...
and
I can't WAIT to get started!
*****
*****
added: 1.28.10
I wanted to thank everyone for all their suggestions! You all are so creative and sweet to give me such wonderful ideas...
I now have some options that I didn't think of before...
and
I can't WAIT to get started!
*****
I'm linking to several parties to get as much help as possible!
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Barb over at Grits and Glamour for Tabletops Thursday
and
Beth over at The Stories of A to Z for her Mantel Party.
Thanks so much for visiting, I'd LOVE to hear your ideas!
Thanks so much for visiting, I'd LOVE to hear your ideas!
The mantle accessories look lovely!
ReplyDeletelove, kelee
Hi Sharlotte! I love the look of your mantle. I like your mirror too. I have a mirror over my mantle, not as pretty as yours. My room is rather dark and I think the mirror helps brighten the room. I think your selection of objects are just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I am so the wrong person to ask! I love simple. So, actually I adore what you have done. I like the mirror.
ReplyDeleteOh your mantle is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to change the reflection from your mirror you can do it simply by using wire on the back to hang the picture and let the top of the mirror come off of the wall by 2 or 3 inches. Then your mirror will reflect what is on the mantle and your furniture, etc. in front of it. If you don't understand, email me and I'll see if I can explain it better.
ReplyDeleteI like the additions, especially the palm. Gives it an airy look. The clock is a nice contrast.
ReplyDeleteYour mantel looks so pretty. I think Vivian has a wonderful idea about what to do.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture of your mantel with the clock, doorknobs and mirror, I loved that look, and some candle sticks to the other end of the mantel, and Fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteMelissa
I like mirrors over mantels and I like hanging objects (barn stars, wreaths, art work, letters) over mirrors even better! If you hang something over your mirror it will cut down on the ceiling fan reflection and add more interest to your mantel. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with and if you need some more inspiration check out the mantel party reviews. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteDo you really need the ceiling fan? A chandelier would look very nice and it's reflection would be pretty, especially when the chandelier is "lit".
ReplyDeleteNice change to the mantle. I love mantles -- they are great to decorate!
ReplyDeleteVivian's right. The mirror needs to reflect the room, not the ceiling. A little picture wire and you're done.
ReplyDeleteOh I think your mantle looks lovely. I had to laugh after the first photo, because I did think, oh my, she does like it simple! I was going to leave you a note about a wire on the back of the mirror, but I see it has already been suggested. laurie
ReplyDeleteI was going to say to tilt the mirror down and reflect the mantel, but Vivian said it better! Your mantel is beautiful...
ReplyDeleteOK Anonymous has never lived in Texas. They would relize we NEED ceiling fans. Could you just change the fan or paint it. We painted ours in grandson's room. Vivian does have a great idea too. Thanks for visiting me!
ReplyDeletesmiles, alice
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI love the clock and the door knobs, very cute!
I haven’t read through the other comments so I hope I’m not repeating what has already been said but here are my ideas....
What about a large vinyl decal. Esty has a huge selection of them. Not really sure what the style is like in the rest of the room but you could have a nice large vinyl monogram done and stick it to the mirror or a fluer de lis. What about hanging a wreath or layering a smaller picture over the mirror?
There are ton of talented ladies out there in blog world. I’m sure you will get some wonderful ideas.
http://domesticprincessintraining.blogspot.com
Love the mantel. I would replace the fan with an updated version. (I'm getting ready to do this much-needed thing at my house.) I saw a beautiful one at Wal-Mart for $69. No kidding. Home Depot has some nicer ones for abot $125.
ReplyDeletelove your mantle. ok this is what i would do....not that it is feasible....:) get a shorter mirror with similar width. i would tilt the mirror and make it "appear" to be hanging by a large white or black ribbon off that picture molding that surrounds the mirror now.
ReplyDeleteor maybe consider changing the light shades on the ceiling can? maybe black or white shades with little crystal beads?
is that worth 2 cents?...teehee.
thanks for checking out my silver heart and admiring the fudge pie.
dj
What Dayle said! That is exactly what I was thinking. Lowes has some really cool ones too...but I would try Vivians suggestion first. (Way cheaper and easier than replacing the fan!)
ReplyDeleteI think the new decor on the mantel is lovely. You did a really nice job : )
Sharlotte,
ReplyDeleteI think this is simple, and lovely, and simply lovely!
I'd leave it. change it later if you like, but it looks nice.
Thanks for coming by for a visit.
blessings
barbara jean
Oh goodness, I missed the fine print about not liking the reflection. =0)
ReplyDeleteDo the drapes have to be opened and closed?
I think some greenery across them would make all the difference in the world.
It would draw your eye right past the fan.
Hope that helps
blessings
barbara jean
Your mantle looks lovely. I wouldn't have thought of changing the angle of the mirror so that it reflects what's on the mantle and not what's on the ceiling. That's such a great suggestion. Let us know how it works for you.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you found my Texas-Blogging Gals as well as joining me on my personal blog, too!
ReplyDeleteIt's great meeting and following everyone!
I've enjoyed a first visit!
I like the suggestions of angling the mirror, and hanging a wreath or star (or even a light and smaller picture frame) over the mirror to cut down on the reflection. You could also spray paint your fan, if you are able to take it down.
ReplyDeleteYour antique clock is showcased perfectly this way. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Vivian. My mirror is tilted downward and I get a beautiful reflection of my living room. Your mantle looks great.
ReplyDeleteAnother Texas Gal
I like the 'less' simple version, that looks great...and it sounds like you'll be shopping for an updated ceiling fan! ;) That's my vote too!
ReplyDeleteLovely mantle. I would update the fan to something not white and change up either the curtains or the the blinds to not white. Don't get me wrong, I have white curtains in my house. But they are usually paired with wood blinds (not white) or are against a wall with color. The reason you don't like the reflection is too much of one color - white. And of course, you could paint the walls a darker cream, so the white trim stands out better. Again - love the mantle! Wish I could accessorize like this:)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to suggest you hang a small wreath over the mirror...just enough to hide the fan (and remember, you could paint the fan) Also hanging your mirror so it is not flat to the wall, but rather titled a slight bit from the top, will help it to reflect the room. Your mantle looks lovely! I especially like how you draped the doilies off the mantle!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with your mantel..so elegant and I love the simplicity of your decor.
ReplyDeleteMiss Bloomers
Love the doorknobs on your mantle display. Looks really nice and I see that there are enough suggestions here to keep you busy for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI would change the ceiling fan to a gorgeous one with big rattan blades. Something exotic, Hemmingwayesque. If you can't hide something make it a focal point.
ReplyDeleteLove your mantle and mirror !! I'm with Vivian (because I once did this myself) ... once you hang your mirror from picture wire, tuck a block (or other piece of small word) behind the mirror (towards the top) and that will allow it to angle down, hopefully giving it a reflection that you like better.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharlotte! Thank you so much for your sweet comments on my post yesterday about RMS. You made me feel so good. I love this post of yours because I feel exactly the same way. Some of my spaces feel right to me and then they translate so differently on camera. Why is that? Well, I think your mantle looks perfect and I too am a simple girl. Great job!
ReplyDeleteKim
You've got some great suggestions here. Your mantel is very pretty ! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteLovely mantel vignette, Sharlotte!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you are asking this question means you are a very detailed oriented person, maybe a little perfectionism in there,hehe. I am the same way. I love the look of the mantle you have highs and lows, always have your items making an up and down wave pattern,you have done that by adding the plant, I could not see the other end but I think someone suggested a candle stick, that is a good idea. Your mantle is not that large so keep it uncluttered. Stay true to yourself and you will be happy. Vary your textures which you have done and the greenery is a perfect addition. A rule of thumb is keep it in odd numbers and you have done that also. As far as the mirror goes, It is light reflective and it is serving its purpose in the room, I would not worry too much about it, Maybe a new fan without the lights would be the trick, Good job as far as I am concerned, Kathysue
ReplyDeleteI see your point. The ceiling fan really detracts. Do you have a piece of artwork you could hang?
ReplyDeleteI like your mantle! I like to keep mine simple, too. I also have a horrible reflection in my great room mantle's mirror and I should take the advice I'm going to give you. Leave the mirror, but hang something over it ~ a picture, a wreath, a wall plaque with your monogram. You'll still get the light reflecting off the mirror part that's showing, but you'll be able to block what's being reflected in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the plant in the center of the mantle, blocking the reflection, candlesticks on the left side where the stairs are, the clock on the right side, cause I can see rounded doorways, the clock has the rounded top. Remove everything else, clean it up a little to make the mantle look B_I_G_! It just looks too cluttered to me.
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinion, I would just make one change and update the ceiling fan - lot's of asthetically pleasing fans, or light fixtures - I am a fan of the simple type chandeliers myself!
ReplyDeleteVery Elegant! I love it!
ReplyDeleteYour mantel is gorgeous. I like all the pretties that you put there. It's the ceilin fan that's bugging you, right? Time for a new one.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I love the green against the white. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jen
Your mantel is simple but so interesting. I love what you did with it!! It helps by starting from scratch. I have the same problem with my ceiling fan 'appearing' in my mirror. If my mirror were bigger I would layer a wreath or something over it but I am not too fussy. I love the plants and the candlesticks. Everything looks lovely!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
I just have a "thing" for mirrors on the mantel. So I really like the way yours looks even if there's an ugly reflection. :) I think your mantel is simple and classy. It looks great. The clock reminds me of the clock my dad had on our mantel when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to how you will change this "already beautiful" mantel.
ReplyDeleteLove your mantel... looks lovely... ~ kimmy
ReplyDelete