Another Weird Mantel

A few years ago I lived in a house that had a mantel with what looked like a long horn steer head in the middle of it.

The keystone was shaped like a head and the upper corner stones sat out from the rest of the stones and looked like horns; it even had eyes.

I could never look at it without this stoney animal staring out at me.

Now I have another “problem” mantel.

I LOVE the fireplace, though I dream of painting the brick white.

It actually isn’t the mantel that is weird or makes it odd, it is the ceiling above it.

Why would anyone do this?

We are not even sure why it is formed this way.

But it drives me nuts and I have no idea what to do with it when it comes to decorating it.

Ideas and suggestions are very welcome… leave them in the comments. Pretty please?

Hiking Toward Home