So I've been poking around and haven't quite found the mirror that makes me happy. The artwork that is there now is 24" x 36" and I'd like something a bit larger. The total space there is about 39 x 54. I have a couple of different metal finishes in the area -- black fireplace surround, and dark bronze-almost-black-but-really-brown sconces. Other lamps in the room match the metal of the wall sconces. Wood-wise, I also have a mix -- trim and mantel are mahogany, some furniture is dark oak, and I also have a lighter reclaimed-wood end table.

My initial thought was a metal framed mirror that has sort of a varied finish with both brownish and black tones. Nothing too ornate. This isn't a formal room. I plan to prop a couple of small (8x10, 5x7) framed photos on the mantel in front of the mirror, as well as probably a colorful vase.

So far I've looked online at the usual suspects: PB, RH, Overstock, Bellacor, Lamps Plus, Ballard, etc. Have also looked on Craigslist. I wouldn't mind something with a slightly Mission "flair" to it, but not a strictly Mission piece, if you know what I mean. We have two pieces of Stickley Mission furniture in this room, which was a hard decision for me because I am NOT a matchy-matchy sort. Adding a mirror that matches those two pieces might just push me over the edge. My style is fairly eclectic. In case you hadn't noticed; yeah, that's a rabbit mask from Venice hanging next to the TV.

Thoughts? Ideas? Places to look? Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of stores around here with great mirrors, so I may have to find something online.

I kinda like this mirror from PB but not sure it quite works with my mantel.

A pic of the fireplace in question:

SO my vote is against.

hth

I think that was my concern with any wood mirror, too, which is why I have been looking more at metal frames but haven't seen anything great yet.

I can't put my finger on why, but something about the craftsman/mission vibe does not go with mirrors, imho. Mirrors, to me, work better in a room that is more feminine, more french, or more formal or all three. Maybe if you google mission fpl images, they would have mirror that works?

But I am almost thinking if you wanted reflection, id rather see an old window or stained glass window hanging there? Provided it's a tasteful one,
: )

Hint on hanging mirrors...always hang them from a wire from below the midway point so that the mirror tilts down and reflects the room...otherwise, they tilt up and reflect only the ceiling .

oval duchess

This one rather intrigues me, again hung horizontally:

tosco mirror

Les, I did consider an oval but I haven't seen one that has spoken to me! I'm just not sure if I'd like the way an oval would feel in that space.

I found a few mirrors online that I thought I liked, then sat in the room with printouts of them...nope, none of them were right. Still poking around online while I half watch TV and half listen to 10 teenagers downstairs!

As Chibimimi suggested, maybe the art just needs a more substantial frame? Or maybe instead of photos on the mantel, you should consider a grouping of framed art/photos, etc over the mantel. Nothing says it has to be just one large item.

Also wondered if you have considered an mahogany overmantel?

The artwork is headed elsewhere.

I also think wood that's in the same tone as your trim is fine, so long as it is not too heavy - and the PB one is too heavy.

I wouldn't lean it against the wall, simply because then it will reflect the ceiling. If you put the screw eyes in the frame at the halfway point on the sides, and make the wire long enough to reach a pair of picture hooks placed about six inches in from where the sides of the frame will sit, and four or so inches from the top, the mirror will lean a little downward, and reflect the room instead.

I moved the little pottery buildings to another shelf this morning and parked a smaller mirror up there just to see what a mirror would "feel" like, and honestly it was almost shocking how it changed the room. I oughta know this by now but I was still surprised at the effect.

Even moving the houses elsewhere and instead, putting 3 simple items on the mantel this morning, made a nice difference. This fall I'm doing a lot of editing and simplifying around my house. I'm the queen of tchotchkes and I need to rein it in a bit.

I really appreciate everyone's input. Everyone here is so helpful in helping me to see my own house in a way that I'm sometimes unable to see it. In some ways it's a lot harder to decorate my own space than to work in someone else's home. Weird, isn't it?

http://www.missionfurnishings.com/Products/Hanover-Wall-Mirror__MAS227 .aspx

2nd one is so pretty, but I am afraid details will compete with the brick/mortar.

I like the one lionors posted-- the shape is great-- just need a different wood tone.

The second mirror from Pottery Barn has a lot of potential. It's very attractive, and I like the fact that it's patterned - the pattern could work well with your rug. (Probably not so well with the items on the mantle, but that's an easy fix.)

Barring that mirror, I vote for a large one with a fairly narrow wood frame, and with the wood matching the trim and mantle color as closely as possible. I'm a fan of glitzy blingy stuff and ordinarily would vote for a gold-colored mirror, possibly an antiqued, burnished gold, but in your room, the gold would probably fight with the colors in the brick.