summer fireplace vignette

I love having a fireplace - in the winter.

But, what do you do with an empty, black box in the wall during the summer?

Sure is a boring space when there's no fire burning!

I've seen ideas such as pillar candles (been there, done that)

and stacked white, birch logs (pretty - but can't find any).

Sooo...I decided to make a vignette in that black box.

Here's a picture with the screen open - with two pillar candles in front.

Here's the same set-up without the candles.

 I think I like this look better. 

The candles with everything else was just "too much".

I tried putting the candles on top of the green, glass candlesticks (from Goodwill, of course!)

but it made the look too tall.

Oh, and I found the monogrammed platter at Tuesday Morning.



The overall look when you walk in the front door...



What do you think??