Decorating Dilemma: 90-Degree Fireplace Mantel

[valanice]

Calling all decorators! I'd love some advice. :)

We just moved to a fabulous new home (well, new to us) and while I love decorating, there are a few things I'm just stuck on. The main thing is the fireplace. If anyone has tips to offer, I'm all ears. :)

UPDATE 1/27: Added more pix with current furniture.

Comments

[okp]

I would love to see pictures with the furniture in it - I think I remember the style of the furniture, but I would like to see the fireplace and mantel in the context of the rest of the current room.

Okay, initial brainstorming... I wonder if you can paint the fireplace with a high heat paint, maybe black. Then, I'm wondering if you could run molding up the wall from the mantel to the ceiling to section that part off. Then you could paint that wall an accent color...kind of camoflaging (sp) the fireplace chimney.

Another idea is to use the chimney part as the high point of a triangle, working accessories downward towards the outer corners of the mantel. Does that make sense? Looking straight at the fireplace, the top of the chimney at the ceiling would be the tip of the triangle. The outer corners of the mantel would be other two points on the triangle. I would keep very simple accessories, and I would probably have symmetry to avoid calling too much attention to either side. I'm thinking a round mirror hung on the wall on either side of the chimney. Then place a couple large scale candlesticks on the outside of the mirros (one on each mantle), following the line of the triangle. I would definitely do dark colored accessories to blend with the color of the chimney, because that will take attention away from it...you don't want it being the only dark thing on that wall.

I need to think some more and see if I can come up with some better ideas.

But what I think I would really do? Is pay for an online consultation here or here.