My aunt, who is an interior designer, used mercury glass votives to dress up the fireplace mantel in one of her client's homes. She chose varying sizes and colors, and arrange several at each end of the mantel to give it balance. I like how the right side has more votives — it keeps it from looking too matchy-matchy. Such shiny, pretty things! Of course the votives add a bit of ambiance when lit, but they look beautiful as they are, too!