Please help me decorate my mantlepiece

[JoDolce]

Posting here for traffic. What would you do with this? Of course this is not permenant, I've just dumped stuff here for now. I want to keep my African people, the ceramic westie & wooden casket (her ashes) can go somewhere else. I love plants (preferably real) but no matter what I do they die!

Fresh flowers, candles,.framed post cards x

I would replace the clock on the wall for a large mirror and put the African figures one on each end of the fireplace. Then maybe a nice mantle clock to go in the centre and a candle either side? The clock you have would look lovely in a hallway. Could your beloved Westie and ashes go on the hearth instead on one side and the vase on the other with some nice artificial flowers/real flowers in?

Flowers
pile of books
Frame with photo or artwork on shelf

I also agree the clock is the issue, you need a mirror, about the same width as the fire place, you can even stand it on it, if uou don’t want to hang it,but ideally hang. And then some nice framed photos etc

You need more stuff on there.

Pictures, pinboard, letter rack, candles, bowls, vases, plants, postcards, ornaments (not cutesy), fairy lights, decorations/bunting, clock...

My favourite mantelpiece aesthetic is 'artfully arranged chaos'.