In today’s Retro Design Dilemma, Peter asks for our ideas and advice on how to decorate the beautiful fireplace in his 1957 ranch house. He loves the variegated stone work. How should he show it off best? No mood boards or google hangouts from Kate and me today — but tomorrow, we’ll activate the uploader, so you can share your fireplace decor. We might even make some mood boards — based on your ideas. Meanwhile — what are your ideas for Peter? Read on for his question — and more photos. Oh, and P. to the S..: Another pink bathroom saved, cha-ching!
Peter writes:
Hi,
We have a 1957 ranch with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with a wood mantel running the length of it above the hearth. We’ve considered things like a Jeré starburst or a mirror to go above the mantel, but we love the rust, salmon and brick red stone that makes up the fireplace so much we can’t bear to cover it up. I would love to see what some of your other readers have done with their mantels (it is after all the focal point of the living room). Wall art, vases, lamps, pictures? There must be things we can put up there other than our phone chargers…?
Thanks,
Peter
Beautiful room, Peter. Those windows are just like the ones in my house — Anderson Windowalls. I need to do a story on them sometime.
In follow up emails, Peter sent me some more photos of his house, which had just one owner before he and his wife moved in. He wrote:
… Here is a shot of the kitchen and pink bathroom with its banjoesque built in, which you can take full credit for saving. My wife wanted white subway tile until she saw your website.
Golly, I’m sure glad that this pink bathroom was saved — it’s a really beauty. That pink and black liner tile is delicious!
Trudi says
The fireplace is art by itself. I think adding anything to it would compete with it and not add to it. Sometimes less is more.
Cathleen says
I agree with some of the others but want to add that if I had that fireplace I would do a large George Nelson clock in the middle and some beautiful large West German mid-century modern vases off to one side.
Some names to search on when looking at auction sites and collectors weekly would be Scheurich, Bay, Bitossi, W. German pottery vase, etc.
You might also add a mid century modern decoration like the Eames Black Bird or some Danish Modern Teak figurines / statues.
Here are some clock pictures:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/George-Nelson-Starburst-Sunburst-Multi-Color-Spike-Star-Clock-Mid-Century-Icon-/271148255024?pt=US_Clocks&hash=item3f21b20730
http://www.ebay.com/itm/George-Nelson-Wooden-Spool-Spindle-Clock-Quality-Repro-Mid-Century-Modern-Retro-/271151394827?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f21e1f00b
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GEORGE-NELSON-CLOCK-TURBINE-COPPER-mid-century-modern-accessory-wall-decor-retro-/190728638920?pt=US_Clocks&hash=item2c685011c8
Some “sample” vase ideas and iconic Eames era figures:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117442612/orange-carstens-tonnieshof-stylish?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_search_query=W+German+Vase&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all
http://www.etsy.com/listing/118189591/bay-west-germany-vase-503-14-design-of?ref=sr_gallery_26&ga_search_query=W+German+Vase&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75782349/mid-century-modern-pottery-vase-1950s?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_query=W+German+Vase&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vitra-Eames-House-Bird-by-Charles-Ray-Eames-/261163355377?pt=Figurines&hash=item3cce8c8cf1
http://www.etsy.com/listing/121704227/mid-century-modern-heron-bird-sculpture?ref=sr_gallery_16&ga_search_query=Teak+sculpture&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all
Melissa L. says
I think it looks beautiful on its own. I agree with Amy who suggests natural elements like plants, flowers, etc. on the mantle.
pam kueber says
Mulling this, this morning, I am thinking: A starburst mirror would be nice — but instead of one that is all gold, get one or jimmy one that has natural wood (same color as your mantel) spokes. The wood would pick up the wood mantel. I went onto ebay and I see no vintage starburst mirrors with natural wood spokes. Nor do I easily find any “new”-repro. However, I see lots of wood-spoke starburst clocks on ebay — they are lots cheaper than the mirrors, too. Idea/Experiment: Could you find a clock — that had a face plate contiguous with the spokes — dismantle the clock — and add a convex mirror.
Product idea: Starburst mirrors in natural wood.
Also, although I recognize you didn’t ask: Surely this is exacerbated by the angles of the room photos, but I am finding the room unbalanced — too much “weight” on the right side what with the heaviness of the fireplace and bookshelf and sofa. Presuming this is the furniture layout you want (seems to make sense to me), how about (1) lighting up the items on the bookshelves… and (2) painting the walls of the room. I’d pick out the colors in the fireplace and experiment. You have so much light, I really think the room could take some color on the walls.
Finally, I am “seeing” blue artwork on the wall above the sofa. Like those 1960s cityscapes (not too highbrow).
And, I know you are new to the house. The window treatments you decide on will be a super important decorative — and functional — element as well.
Diane in CO says
Pam I’m so glad you mention the balance in the room. That was my first impression, after admiring the beauty of the stone fireplace. It’s one of the most stunning I have seen; I would have bought the house just for that fireplace. But something has to be along the the windows or on the windows for balance – or the furniture could be re-arranged. But the room’s impression is overall extremely pleasing.
The stonework has almost more of an Arts & Crafts-y feel and I will defect from the group and say I don’t see a starburst, much as I love them, working in that location!
If the mantel remains, don’t put your objets d’art all the way across, but only on the left side — or “weight it” to the left side. Clean and simple. Right now what you probably don’t like about it, Peter, is a bunch of items that do not relate to one another. The eye cries out for a focal point.
Peter says
The reason the furniture is to one side of the room, is because the dining room and living rioom are together in an open floor plan shaped like an “L”. The wall behind the sofa stops at the end of the sofa and we didn’t want to interrupt the flow between the rooms or out the door to the screen porch on the left.
Robin, NV says
Pam, I have a “retro-modern” starburst clock in wood above my fireplace. I got it off ebay a few years ago. If you fire up the uploader tomorrow as promised, I’ll upload a photo. It’s hard to tell but mine might actually match the wood on Peter’s mantle and bookshelves.
I’d also like to interject my two cents worth. If Peter keeps the mantle, I’d go with some tall sculptures or vases in various heights. Others have mentioned how low the ceiling feels low, maybe adding visual height on the mantel would help. Several people have suggested getting rid of the mantle. I also think that would look fine but I’d still try to get something long and slender to hang at the center of the fireplace. There’s a gilt starburst clock on ebay right now that I think would look interesting. Rather than try to match something to the beautiful stone work or the wood in the room – why not go in another direction with something shiny? The stone work would serve as a beautiful background for a metallic object and something long and narrow could stand on its own (visually) while not covering up the stonework. The link to the ebay auction is super long but here it is anyway:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Gold-Gilt-Starburst-Vintage-Syroco-brand-Wood-Wall-Clock-8-day-Key-Wind-Up-/271148918871?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f21bc2857#ht_647wt_1141
pam kueber says
Thanks, Robin! I’m preparing the Uploader right now!
Robin, NV says
Gosh, the more I look at the starburst clock I found on ebay, the more I want to buy it for myself. Lol.
Jay says
Peter, nice looking house! I envy your dilemma as I don’t have a fire place. If the previous owner didn’t see the need to put something on the wall, leave it be. The stonework is artfully arranged and looks uncluttered. I agree with Amy, there is a hint of FLW, escpecially with the wrap a round corner window. I think the rusticated stone imparts a contemporary, natural feel and doesn’t strike me as a setting for a sunburst mirror. Perhaps a trio to one side – matte finish pottery or mid century glass vases (a la Blenko), of various heights.
By the way, you stole my kitchen! What is your flooring? And that bath – like the banjoesque counter.
Patty says
I’d vote no on the starburst clock – or any clock. The FLW reference is good.
God didn’t hang a clock on the side of any of the stone mountains he created, why do that here?
Nancy Stevenson says
Yes, would look great with the mantel removed as well, and the Atomic clock mounted on there…
Nancy Stevenson says
How about a row of Bauer Flowerpots from the Mid century on that mantel? I love the looks of the swirl Bauer pots! It would be fun to find them, and spend a little time collecting just the colors and sizes you want. I have a collection of over 175? pots, maybe 200? Crazy, I know, but they look great everywhere! I also like the suggestion of a metal sculpture, or just enjoying that great rock look!
I would get it cleaned up, and just enjoy it. Less is More… :o)
JivenMama says
Great room, and what a treat to be able to enjoy both the fireplace in the evening and the big picture window during the day. I had the same dilemma with a corner fireplace, and I found an old, well-kept maple frame mirror that my mom had in her room for over 50 years. The mirror reflects the rest of the room and doesn’t detract from the brickwork. Just a thought. Oh, and your kitchen is fabulous! You’ve kept the copper hinges and handles and the wood looks to be in great shape. Hope you’re not even considering changing any of that.
Chris says
How About a Large Weathered Window Pane? No Glass. Maybe A Set of Two or Three Smaller Ones.
Laura E. says
I’d remove the mantel, too. The mantel makes the ceiling look low. Then a nice starburst clock centered over the fire opening would look swell.
Dulcie says
I totally agree. My first thought when looking at the picture w/out reading anything was that it was just screaming for a starburst clock over the fireplace.