IMO - your art is nice, but it gets lost in the stone. Have you thought of putting your art on another wall and leaning photos, a tall mirror, or, just leaning your art on the mantle? Are the sconce holes wired? Maybe lean your art on the mantle and wire two accent lights to shine down on the art.

That looks nice up there, your art. And as you have indicated your intent to keep and the why is with good reason well....Plus I LOVE it!

I would likely do a scattering of natural things in black, brown, maybe a bright color in small fusion and fill things with wiry or natural woody kind of decor on that mantle. The old lookin' book is a yes, the old lookin' box is a yes, the gold candle thing is a yes...the rest no. Nothing too tall, and white is just distracting. And I think a small light of like a little tiffany mosaic something or other would look nice and hide that outlet while making use of it. What a nice fireplace :)

This post was edited by sasafras on Fri, Jul 4, 14 at 21:46

I've always wanted an outlet on my mantle - put envisioned it on the horizontal surface not the wall. Could you maybe paint it to match the brick? It would looks less conspicuous.

I would paint the wall on the sides red or something dark to bring out the fp.

I understand that the outlet's on your radar, and you zero in on it every time you look at the fireplace ... but when I read your post, I actually thought, "Outlet? What outlet?" And I had to look back to verify that an outlet was actually part of the picture. So don't assume that other people are noticing this!

I agree with the poster who says that your art is sort of "lost" in the grand scheme of things; it's all about the color. I suspect, however, this art is a great backdrop for something else.

I vote for something like RED flowers or candles, something to introduce some color to this monochrome fireplace.

I also don't love the grey walls. The fireplace is beige ... and grey doesn't really play all that nicely with it. I suggest you try a real color, not a neutral. Blue is "safe", but you'd need the right blue.

I think I would use the outlet if it functioned to find some sort of light treatment to use the outlet for, or perhaps place something in front of it. The fireplace is certainly unique.

I would put a green plant in the center to hide the outlet like in this photo http://www.nilebliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/furniture-dazzling-wooden-fireplace-mantel-design-idea-in-white-finish-combined-with-granite-surround-and-glass-fireplace-door-and-indoor-plants-decoration-40-fireplace-mantel-surrounds-designs.jpg

Also the fireplace blends with the walls to much i would have to repaint them a darker color tone.