Any Shade Between Black and White

Christine-

I am with you on the gray! I want to do my bedroom in gray and I think that a pretty yellow would accent perfectly! Also, I have to agree on the wallpaper bit! I was just talking to my husband on how I wanted to do our bedroom and as soon as I let the "w" word out, the conversation was over! He didn't even want to listen to me! I might need you to give him a call and give him a pro's advice! What do you think about a big patterned damask wallpaper (preferably textured - do they even make something like that? - in gray on one wall and then all the other walls just painted gray?

- Malia

Dear Malia,

I love it! That sounds beautiful. Go to http://www.thibautdesign.com/ They have some beautiful textured damask papers- this one shown has a pattern size of 24 x 27- so it is a nice large pattern (which I love!) Combining wallpaper with gray walls would be great! I really like darker gray as well as lighter gray walls, but be sure to include some nice yellow or white to give it contrast. Gray is such a great background color. Give it something beautiful to be the background to (in window treatments, linens, mouldings). Check out the picture- the walls are gray, making a beautiful contrast for the white. Without the contrast, gray can be a bit dreary :)

Oh yes- I have another word of advice. In a bedroom, if you ever choose to do one wall different from the other three, wallpaper in this senerio, an accent paint color for someone else perhaps, do it on the same wall as the headboard. This is your focal point wall in any master bedroom. In my opinion, this should be the only wall that you would have different. I think when people have a wall other than their headboard wall a different color, it splits the focal point, and is less restful. Unconsiously the eye would go to the headboard wall, and back to the different colored wall, and back and forth. There should be a focal point, and the other walls should support, not compete with that wall.

Also- another word about choosing gray paint. Are you going warm or cool? Warm grays are mixed with yellow, and come off slightly green or khaki. Cool grays are mixed with blue, and come off slightly blue. True grays are only mixed with black and white, and tend to be more modern- or contemporary. One is not better than the other, but I would keep it consistent with the other rooms in your home, and support it with the same (either warm true, or cool gray) accents.

Send us a picture of what you do!

Thanks to Decor 2007 for the photo!

Camel on the Ceiling, C C C

Malia said...
Where do you get the textured paintable wallpaper? That is exactly what I'm after। :)

Hi Malia,

It is not too hard to find. You might not be able to find it a a big box home center, or a paint store, but any "wallpaper" store would have it. One of my favorites (Derby Original Embossed Paper Paintable Wallcovering Product Code: 2ana-rd124 ) I found on "creativewallcovering.com". They will send you a sample for $5, which also includes a $5 off coupon for your purchase.

Try paintable wallpapers as a wainscot, or the ceiling in your kitchen, or dining room. Even just a small area like a powder bath would be really spectacular with a paintable wallpaper ceiling. In a formal powder you could even paint the wallpaper a metallic bronze, finish with beautiful crown mouldings and other bronze accents.

Send us a picture when you are done with your project! I love "before and afters"!

- Christine

Thank you "Great American Kitchens" vol III for the photo Designer: Jean Stoffer

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Christine,
Thank you so much for taking the time to come to my home last evening and helping me with color and window treatments. I'm looking forward to seeing the samples in a larger format. Two additional questions please. We spoke about a photo gallery in the hall with the frames being different. Can you show me an example? Also when does the use of mirrors in a home become too many?
Linda

Linda,

I'd like to answer the second part to your question now. "When does the use of mirrors in a home become too many?" I think this is something that a lot of people run into in some form or another. For example, I used to sell clocks. I was always finding more and more new beautiful clocks, and frequently they would find a home in my home before I ever sold them. The question is the same- when are there too many clocks? I had a client that really liked art work; how many different pieces of art are too many? First of all- this I stand by- if you like it, if it makes you happy when you look at it- then it doesn't matter much what a "professional" says. With that said, if you are in a category of "too much of something"- then even if you do like it, you would probably like it even more if you had items on the wall that complemented each other rather than competed with each other. Let me set some rules to explain.

1. Every room should have a "focal point." In a kitchen, this should be the hood of the stove. (In my opinion- if you are designing a new kitchen, put money into the hood- make it beautiful- this is the "hearth" of the kitchen). In a room with a fireplace, this should be the fireplace. In a bedroom, this should be the wall with the headboard on it. If you have a passion for something (art, mirrors, clocks).- make it special by putting it on the focal point wall.- This is where you design the room for the eye to gravitate. The other items in the room should give balance and rhythm, leading the eye here- to the focus of the room.

2. If I were to hang two clocks near each other, people would automatically, unconsciously, select a favorite. In too close a proximity, they are competing with each other. Do I have more than one clock in the same room? Yes- I have two in my family room. One is a large clock above my fireplace, the other is a small clock on the opposite side of the room, on a small wall. In this way, there is no competition. If the second clock were the same large size, or if it were too close to the first clock, this would not be the case. There should be a natural rhythm moving around the room. Two clocks the same size would stop the rhythm; the eye would bounce back and forth, rather than flow (like on that old Nintendo game Break Out- where the ball would get stuck bouncing back and forth and go that way forever unless you moved that paddle).

3. A collage is different. You can design a collage of different mirrors and hang them on the same wall, as one entity. The mirrors should have a common theme, say, round, vintage, similar frames, something to make them work well together- or you need to just have a really good feel for what will work. In a case like this, you do not want one to stand out when your eye goes to the collage- it should see the collage- not a single item in it. This is not to say that you can't have one mirror larger than the rest- I am simply advising against one that doesn't work well with the others in color or thickness, one that feels awkward. A few years ago Pottery Barn made popular a wall of clocks (thanks Pottery Barn, that really boosted my clock business!) This is where I say, hang them close to each other, very close.

4. When designing someone's room, I like to use different items- this gives variety, and when well selected they compliment each other and work well together. For example, in one room, I might choose a piece of art on one wall, relief plaques or decorative iron on another, a mirror on a third. Is there anything wrong with having a mirror in every room of your home. No- go for it!

Good luck Linda! Let me know if you have any other questions.

- Christine

Thanks to Pottery Barn for the photo!

Picture This Too..

This is a great idea for a simple family photo gallery- by Uttermost.

Picture This...

Christine,

Thank you so much for taking the time to come to my home last evening and helping me with color and window treatments. I'm looking forward to seeing the samples in a larger format. Two additional questions please. We spoke about a photo gallery in the hall with the frames being different. Can you show me an example? Also when does the use of mirrors in a home become too many?

Linda

Hi Linda,

Let me answer your qustions separately. There are a number of great ways to do your photo gallery. I personally like having all the frames all different, but from the same manufacturer. My favorite source for picture frames is Roma Moulding. http://www.romamoulding.com/en/ (I particularly like pages 5-7 of the Bellina collection). In addition to having the most beautiful line of photo frames, they also will make custom frames for you, if you needed a special size, for a large picture in the center, for example. They have quite a few different styles. I would select 3 or 5 different styles, and then get them in different colors, and different sizes. A large wall like yours could easily handle, say, 15 frames. This could be made up of 5 styles, and 3 different colors of each style, some in different sizes. This gives you a beautiful wall, every frame different, but they all blend together, with a consistent color scheme in the frames (greens, reds, blues, browns, and golds in your case). You can have the pictures all put in sepia tones or black and white if you want, but you don't have to. In your house, I think the setting would be best with all of the pictures hung on the wall, but this idea would also work great on a series of wall shelves.

Thanks for the questions Linda!
- Christine

Thank you Roma moulding for the photo!

Idea #2 for Marbel

Marbel wrote in asking for ideas on how to take care of 40-year-old wallpaper in your kids' bedroom. My suggestion- cover it up!

Try beadboard or another wall woodwork throughout. This is a classic, timeless solution that looks as good now as when you send them off to college! Add a fun rug that you can change as they age. I love The Rug Maret Kid's collection. (Available through rug dealers and interior designers). They have some crazy cute ones for girls, especially.

If your little ones have a hard time settling down at night, keeping the walls less stimulating is a good idea. The pattern can be on the floor, where their eyes don’t typically go when they are laying in bed.

Thanks to the Rug Market and Martha Stewart furniture for the photos!

Idea #1 for Marbel

Christine,

Do you have any great ideas on how to remove wallpaper? All three of our kids are sharing a room...with Victorian pink rose wall paper...it has been up for at least 40 years. Very cool actually for the girls...but not for Steven. What would you suggest we do with the walls to make it more unisex? Emily age 8(almost), Rachel and Steven, age 3.

Thanks...Marbel!

Dear Marbel,

After 40 years, I would say that if it wanted to come down, it would have on its own. Aside from taking two weeks of your life to focus on soaking, scoring, steaming, and pealing, I'd say, let's just cover it up! Let me give you some ideas!

Idea #1- Wallpaper. Yes- that's right, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! My favorite source for children's paper? Mine mine. They are soooo cool! Go to http://www.minemine.com/ to see a super fun selecton.

Stay tuned, I have a few more ideas for you!

- Christine

Grand Garage

Christine,

How important is the inside of a garage to the overall look of the house? Do you have any suggestions how to affordably make a disorderly garage look really cool?-

Marika

Marika,

I admit, garages are not my strong point. But, everyone (and their husband) loves a nice organized garage! There are so many cool storage solutions these days, but you might be spending quite a bit before you are done. Do you know of anyone remodeling their kitchen? Do they want their old cabinets? Do you know a contractor that does this kind of thing on a regular basis? Old kitchen cabinets put into your garage can be a great fit! I wouldn't hesitate in painting them a cool color of gray, yellow, blue or green. Add some wall shelves, and paint them the same color, making it look like a matching set. Do you have a long blank wall? Paint a cool pattern of circles or something. Nothing too crazy, or too bright, keep it very subtle, but different muted shades of yellow and gray, or the colors of your choice. Look to simple modern art for inspiration. This could be really fun!

Art: Circle Designs II by Leslie Bernsen

Go Green!

Christine,

I always want to put something on the dinning table but never sure what look good any suggestions...I love the Blog!!!!

- Mandy

Dear Mandy,

When in doubt, add a little green. Weather it be live or faux, plants add a lot to a room. Don't like to water everyday? Try succulents. Have it in the budget? Fresh flowers in a clear glass vase. What to stay away from? Cheap silks. If you are going faux, spend the cash or leave your table empty :) Thanks for the question!

- Christine

A room with a view...that you may not want.

French doors seem to pose a dilema with window treatments sometimes. Wood blinds are so bluky and have such a high stack when pulled. Panels don't always make a practical solution if there is not adequate space for them. Roller shades and honeycomb shades can be so void of style, and many times too contemporary a feel. Vignettes and Silhouettes (and their knock-off's) look better inside a window sill, as they have bulky headers. I love simple Roman shades. They are not too deep, they add softness, pattern, color and texture.

Designer: Beverly Jacomini, Photo: Southern Accents October 2007

Fireplace Mantles again... I really want you to learn this!

Another- completely different asymmetrical look- have just one item. This keeps it simple and beautiful- very nice. (hard to mess up!)

A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. Do not have your one item hit the background item at it's mid-point. You do not want to cut it in half. Try to have it land at the 1/3 or 2/3 point. (most likeley the 1/3 point when you have only one item)

2. You do not want your one accessory item to be too large- this will make it feel off balance.

3. I would have done this fireplace just a little differently- I would have larger greens, that overlap the picture a bit. Not higher- it hits the picture at a good height, just fuller, or longer- so that it overlaps. I think this would tie the items together more, and they would appear less disjointed and separate.

Thanks to Decor fall winter 2007 for the photo!

Trust me... It will look great!

I have been trying to convince my husband, for some time now, (since 1999) to paint our base boards, crown mouldings casings, and doors... black. Ever since I saw Big Daddy, with Adam Sandler I thought this was the greatest look. I didn't love the movie- but I did love Adam Sandler's first girlfriend's (the one who is working at Hooters at the end of the movie) apartment. She has these fabulous black interior doors. I just loved them! (Yes- this is the type of thing I am looking at while watching a movie- and as long as we're on the subject- the all time best Interior Design is in "Something's Gotta Give" with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholas- both places- hers and the little bit you see of his- are fabulous!) Anyway- I am weakening, with such horrible lack of support, (my husabd refuses!) I have now moved to khaki. I will not go lighter than that- I will first paint them myself while he is at work. Anyway- my message for today is, your mouldings do not have to be white. Paint them kahaki (I just recently had a client do this, doors and all- they love it- it looks awesome!). Paint them beige, gray, black, taupe, or, as in the picture- pink :)

Just a note for when this does not work:

If you have cheap, ugly small mouldings, I would keep them white. Painting them colors draws attention to them. Do not draw attention to less attractive mouldings:)

Thanks to Decor for the photo- designers: Nurit and Rick Amdur

Don't make it so hard...

Do you have an empty table in your home? Worried about a centerpiece? I love a "less is more" look. A beautiful glass vase with simple faux flowers, a beautiful bowl, a lovely urn, keep is simple, and it's hard to go wrong.

Designers: Michale Chatterton for photo one, and Steve Henry for #2.

Michal's Question

Michal said:

i want both. that is, i want more color and more interest. my house is boring boring boring. part of the problem is that i don't want to spend very much money and i don't want it to look cheap. but the other problem is that i'm not sure where to start and i don't always trust my own intuition. if you want me to be more specific, i am wanting to make some changes in my master bedroom without spending much money. i have two coverlets that i love. one is chocolate brown velvet (winter) and the other is brown and blue embroidered silk (spring/summer). i want to work with those, but i don't want the room to just be browns and blues. if i want to incorporate another color or an accent color (like coral or tumeric) how do i do that? i'm pretty sure if i just painted the walls that color there would be a disconnect (like there is in my living room. but that's for another post, i guess.)thanks for helping me. i can't wait to see what you suggest.

Dear Michal,

You are correct that painting the wall is not the way to go. Start rather with fabrics. One way would be to find a center decorative pillow, (like the photo) that brings in the new color you are wanting to use. Then, do it again, this time in a bench, or drapes, or a chair. These new textiles should include your accent color. One of them can be a solid color, (or tone on tone) but at least one should include your new color, with your blues and browns. Be careful, you need just the right textiles to make it pull together when you already have a printed fabric you are working with. Good luck- e-mail pictures, and I'll let you know if you did it. (Keep the tags on!)

- Christine

Your Color Therapist...

Dear Christine,
I want to add more color to my master bedroom. It has only two colors and I find that it is boring and formulaic. How do I go about adding more color?
-Michal

Dear Michal,
Let's get to the root of the problem. First of all- there is nothing inherently wrong with a two- color pallet. Do you really want more color, or do you simply want a more beautiful, interesting room? I find that what is more commonly the issue is a lack of pattern and textural variety.

Start by taking a look at your room from a perspective of pattern. How many different patterns do you have? Are they varying sizes? In a typical bedroom, I would suggest you have at least three different scales of pattern. For example- you can have a medium size pattern on your bedding, a larger, bolder pattern on your rug or wallpaper, and a small pattern on your window treatments. These patterns do not have to have a lot of color in them- they could all be shades of the same color and still look great.

Next look at your room in terms of texture. What different varieties of texture are there? Do you have any rougher textures like a rattan or jute? Increase your textural variety with different fabrics- accent pillows are an easy way to do this. They can be covered in anything from patent leather to fur. Take a look at your walls and ceiling- are they all drywall? Consider wood paneling, textured wallpaper, or a beamed ceiling. Replace your window treatments with a combination of woven Roman shades and silk panels. Add plants. Greenery- whether faux or real- is a perfect way to add textural variety to a room. Something rough, something nubby, something smooth- textural variety will add interest and beauty to your room like nothing else.

When you finish this exercise, do you find that you still need more color? If so- write me back :)
Good luck,
Christine

Thanks to Coastal Living November 2007 for the photo!

A fun idea!

Teak platforms suspended from heavy gauge rope make the most unique bedroom around. From Coastal Living's idea house- 2007- I'd say this is a great idea! I wouldn't use it for a child's room, but rather a guest room, as was done here. I also love the use of the apothecary table in lieu of a nightstand. Take note of the simple greenery and sophisticated roman shades, and while orange is not my favorite decorating color- it looks fantastic here!

Look Up!

I love a cool ceiling! I was in a Mexican restraunt on Friday, and absolutely loved the use of antiqued metal tile on the ceiling. Here is another cool example- a coffered ceiling, painted a light blue with cream wood work. Also- try beadboard on the ceiling, or wallpaper. You can also get some beautiful textured paintable wallpapers that are perfect for this type of thing. In my opinion, rarely should it be the same color as the walls- but that does not mean it should be white. Especially when you have a white crown molding, I would have at least a tint of color in the ceiling. The contrast will make your white mouldings look so much more beautiful.

Thanks to Coastal Living for the photo- this was from their Idea House- November 2007

Asymmetrical Balance

I have my own set of guidelines for asymetrical balance on a fireplace mantle.
1. When the accessories on either side are not the same item, they should not be the same height.
2. You can assume that when one is about 1/3 or 2/3 shorter than the other they will work together well. (this is a genral guideline- don't be overly concerned about specifics)
3. You should have a different nunber of items on one side than the other. For example, you can have a pair of candle holders on one side, and a picture frame, a vase and a bowl on the other side.

4. The overall visual mass of items on one side should loosely balance the other side. The exception to this rule is when you only have one item on one side.
5. The accessories should overlap the center object of focus. In this picture, the way the flowers overlap the art a bit really helps to tie the grouping together. Don't worry about "covering up" the picture. If it is a family portrait, yes, you want everyone to be seen, but most of the time, it only makes it look better.
6. The accessories should not be the same height, or very close to the same height, as the center object.

Thanks to Architectural Digest April 2008 for the photo- Designer: James Marzo.

The Interior Design Meteorologist

How can people tell you what the "color forecast" is? I don't know- but this much I do know- I have the "gift." I can tell you the interior design color forecast. I am very good at this. OK- so you want some proof? You don't believe me? Here is a little proof:

1. In 1997 I did my senior interior design project in sage green and red. Ok- so you don't know that sage green wasn't the "in" color yet?- Well- it wasn't- that was me- forecasting....

2. In 2003 I decided to decorate my family room in lots of shades of blue and green. I couldn't even find fabrics to use- they were 2 years away from being the "in" combination.

3. Do you remember in 1998- when everyone was doing "sunflowers"? I called it- I said, after this- it will be dragonflies- and yes- it was.

I am telling you- I have the gift!

So- what's next you say?

I will tell you.

1. Gray and yellow- and gray and white. Gray will be the new hottest wall color- unless of course- it's yellow- not a bright traffic sign yellow- a faubulously understated beautiful yellow.

2. Blue and yellow- lots of combinations of this... some bright, some subdued

3. Teal will be the new green

4. Coral will be the new red (teal and coral will be the hottest twosome)

5. White walls- with lots of white trim work (ok- maye that's just wishful thinking- I think everyone living in a house built after 1959 needs more trim work.)

6. Wallpaper- no- I am not telling you to keep the pink flowers that have been on your walls since the 80's- new different, fresher, larger prints, rich texture like grass cloth- buy your stock in Wallpaper-To-Go, I am telling you- it will have a comeback- no matter how hard it is to get off!

Gotta go- I need to talk my husband into painting my walls gray and hanging wallpaper... (I'm not kidding!)

My thanks to Southern Accents- April 2008 for the photo- Designer Pamela Laney

Symmetrical or Asymmetrical?

Should you decorate your mantle in a symmetrical or asymmetrical manner? Here are three times when symmetrical is perhaps the best choice:
1. The more formal the look, the more appropriate is a symmetrical balance.
2. Another time you would decorate in a symmetrical fashion is when you are more of a minimalist. (asymmetrical tends to be a bit busier most of the time - with the exception of the use of only one object- of course)
3. Symmetrical is also easier- for the novice. You buy two of the same item- they are guaranteed to go together great! :)
Three good reasons to go symmetrical! (We'll talk asymmetrical another day.)

This mantle is from the home of textile designer, Suzanne Rheinstein's own home. Photo taken from Southern Accents October 2007.

Just in time... for your fireplace mantle

Here is a beautiful clock from Cooper Classics - at a sizeable 36 inch diameter! Perfect for a good sized mantle.

Do you know what time it is?

Houses are getting bigger and bigger, and with that, come bigger and bigger fireplaces that start to dwarf what might have otherwise been the perfect look for above your mantle. Check out this clock by Timeworks with its 54 inch diameter!! Now- that should fit. http://www.timeworksclocks.com/index.php

One of my favorite finds....

I love this piece. 49 x 49- the perfect size for many fireplace mantles. A wrought iron piece like this would be the perfect background for family pictures in cool frames sitting on your mantle. Made of hand forged metal, and finished with gold leaf- available from Uttermost. http://www.uttermost.com/Catalog.aspx

Fireplace Mantles Part V

Think outside the box in deciding what to hang above your fireplace. I love this wagon wheel and large duck. Who would have thought, "I think I want a wagon wheel and large duck on my mantle."- and yet- look how great it is! Go to antique stores, cool home boutiques, or just ask me for ideas :)

A few things that really help this to work:

1. good scale

2. the duck overlaps the wheel just a bit

This picture came from an Eldorado Stone at: http://www.eldoradostone.com/

Fireplace Mantles Part IV

This mantle is from the Oval Office. I think it is very well done. What makes it work, that is different from the Cabinet Room and the Green Room? The portrait of George Washington, hung above the fireplace, is a good size and proportion for both the fireplace and the wall. It is not hung too high or framed too small. The greenery overlaps the portrait just enough to have it all tie together. The office was re-decorated when the Bushes came into office- the Presidnet delegated the responsibility to his wife- Good job Laura!

Thanks again to Architectual Digest for the photo!

Fireplace Mantles Part III

I think what people sometimes struggle with, is having balance with fireplace mantle, and balance with the wall at the same time. This was probably the thinking that went on when poor Benjamin Franklin was hung too high (see part II). That is, no doubt, a very large room. My advice? When the item is hung over a fireplace mantle, the most important relationship to keep in proportion is that between said item and the mantle itself. By this I do not mean to disregaurd the proportion of the wall- but it is of secondary importance, and in many insances, can be treated separatly. See this picture, for instnace (I wish I could tell you where I found it, but I am afraid I clipped it from a magazine forever ago, and could not tell from where). This is a very good example- for several reasons:

1. The mirror is a good size and proportion to the fireplace. The fireplace is not large, and a heavily framed mirror, even if the overall dimensions were the same, would probably have come off feeling "top heavy". The wall is large though, so it is good to have the mirror as large as will look good.

2. The flower overlaps the mirror a bit. This may seem like a small thing, but it is not. It ties the look together, rather than keeping the items separate and detatched. It makes a huge difference. This is not a hard and fast rule; there are exceptions, but oftentimes it is the best way to do it.

3. The sconces, added to either side of the mantle, are a terrific move. These not only add light and ambiance, but their presence adds visual weight to the wall. This helps the wall decor have a relationship with not only the fireplace, but the wall itself. This same look can be achieved with candle sconces, wall shelves, or wrought iron decorative pieces. This would have been a good move in the Green Room. :) Can you just see the portraint hung lower, and sconces added to the wall? That is what I will change when I get the White House job next time. :)

- P.S. One thing to keep in mind when hanging a mirror above a fireplace, is checking to see what it reflects. Is it art from the other side of the room- great! Is it a ceiling fan or a dirty kitchen? If that's the case- go for one of those "antiqued" mirrors where you can't actually see the reflection very well- or skip the mirror idea altogether.

Fireplace Mantles Part II

The Green Room (again from the White House) has a 1767 portrait of Benjamin Franklin above the fireplace. Don't you think we owe it to this great man, one of the FOUNDING FATHERS of our country, the inventor of the lightning rod, bifocals, and the odometer, the man who started the first lending library, and the first fire department, do we not owe it to him to not hang his portrait too high? I think it is the least we can do! :)

My thanks again to Architectural Digest for the photo.

Fireplace Mantles Part I

Everyone has a fireplace mantle to decorate. This post is for those of you- and hopefully you know who you are- who need a little help with yours. Let me start by going over some common but not so obvious mistakes people make.

1. Do not hang your art (or clock- or whatever you are hanging over your fireplace) too high. It's hard to get it too low. In fact- it can lean on the mantle in many cases. This example, from the cabinet room in the White House, is hung too high. (yes- I am using the White House as a poor example - that does not make me unpatriotic!)

2. There is more than one correct way to put accessories on your mantle- in this case- (the cabinet room again)- I would say that the urns are too small. They would look better a bit larger and overlapping the picture a bit. When the accessories overlap- it brings everything together, as one cohesive display, rater than four separate distinct items, as seen here.

3. Don't select art for the wall above the mantle that is too small. This is VERY common, and again, the case here in the Cabinet Room. I am sure that this picture has great importance- but it can be framed larger if that is the case. Probably the most common reason (for the public in general- not the White House) for this is the larger the item- the larger the price- but hey- save up and do it right :) The art should have a relationship in size with the fireplace.

Picture this area with a larger frame (much larger)- the urns- (larger also)- or if they are of some great sentimental importance (given to the presidnet at the signing of a peace treaty or something)- they could be put on beautiful wood boxes or lovely books, or something to give them more height. Then- have the picture hung lower- I would say only 4-6 inches above the mantle.

Shoking that I wasn't consulted on this job, huh? Thanks to Architectual Digest for the photo :)