My first thought, with the TV there and not a huge (tall) space to fill, was a row of low votive candles/holders, maybe all the same?

Low plant on one side and a pair of low candle sticks on the other side. Nothing in the center.

I really like your room! You could put an elongated planter up there, maybe copper or a basket, with pothos or ivy in it. Then let the leaves fall down and curl around.

I have done this- I couldn't find anything to put the plants in inside the planter. So I used several small pots lined up. It was a pain to take care of, but it looked nice. (I didn't want to water it while it was sitting on the mantel). You could also use silk plants if you like them. You can stuff dry moss around them to soften the look even more.

Thanks for the suggestions! I like the idea of a plant that drapes down, but I certainly do not have a green thumb and would be buying a new one every few weeks. Silk plants aren't my thing either.

What do you think about this? These are small prints I have of the four seasons. They are just leaning now, but I could hang them centered in the space.

I think something in a shape that's not as rectangular s the TV might work better.

Your fireplace and mantel are lovely. However, I think if you're going to put a TV over the mantel, it already owns that space. All those little vignettes are gonna get overshadowed and look silly every time something's on the tube, and we know how dreadful some of those images are. Doesn't matter what you're watching, the TV rules that space.

I don't have a problem with TV in general, but I think decorating around it isn't disguising the fact that it's a TV. I'd move it somewhere else, somewhere lower.

I have no suggestions for what to place on the mantel, but I'd definitely move the tv down so that there's no room to put anything in front of it, only on either side of it.

Nosoccermom posted some beautiful mantel vignettes, I would love them on their own or surrounding a pretty picture - just not a TV. In her first picture, I like JUST the greenery at the ends; in the second, I like JUST the little short candles in the shallow tray; in the fifth one I LOVE the Christmas garland; and I also like the silver candles on the ends in the fifth picture (candles only).

I would just keep it VERY simple.

Thank you again for the comments and special thanks to Nosoccermom for the photos. Unfortunately, we are stuck with the tv over the mantel for now. Again, not what I would have chosen, however, it's how the house is wired and DH likes it. As for moving it down, again, we're stuck with it at its current height due to where the electrician placed the boxes. I would have preferred it lower. I agree that no matter what is put on the mantel, it will not disguise the fact that there is a big black screen hanging on the wall.

I like the little seasonal pictures sitting on the mantle under the tv. I would space them evenly from the end edge of the mantle, and maybe add a one more - something that images your own favorite season. Also on each side of the tv I'd hang a long pic in black frame (I'd pick trees but whatever you - the example is lifted from a search). Nothing should be put on the mantle that will be taller than the mantle.