Mantel Shelf Thingy?

Cape 18 does not have a fire place. Instead we have a darling little woodstove. So darling in fact that it only burns approximately 1.7 logs at a time.



I recently learned that wood stoves can be PAINTED! Thanks to Rust-Oleum High Heat Spray, I have a new item on my to do list, more on that later.

But back to today's point... The wood stove sits on a little brick "hearth," complete with two brick half walls and a L-shaped mantel shelf thingy. It is an area that can get quite warm, which excludes flowers, paper, and wax. Frankly, the whole thing is awkward and hideous and very hard to decorate.

Hang empty frames above the "mantel" all painted the same colour as the walls and leave the mantel bare?

Apartment Therapy / Patrick Hamilton


space & architecture

Create a Louise Nevelson-esque sculpture along the top of the mantel? She's a favorite of mine. for her art, yes. But also, how could you not love a woman who used an entire tube of mascara daily? 
House Beautiful

Leave empty?
*sigh*

Thoughts? Other ideas?