Ideas MCM Fireplace Nook/Niche  

Sculpture
I think an African wooden sculpture would like nice, or perhaps a nice modern vase. It would be ideal if you could light the space too, perhaps one of the light fixtures from Ikea.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10192107/

Something dark in color
and smooth in texture to contrast with that brick, which could overwhelm a lot of stuff.

I like the
idea of "primitive" sculpture as well. Yes, and dark in color. MCM lends itself to the contrasting display of carefully selected abstract, brutal, or "primitive" items.

Perfect spot
For a "modest" Bertoia sculpture. 🙂

?
Why not use the space for (bug-less) firewood storage, artfully stacked?
Just a thought.
Mark

Not a bad idea, Mark
I like it.

Yeah, good idea Mark...
Actually, a stack of ANYTHING stackable would work great there. But wood lacks pretense. I like that.

Wood is a great idea
And it looks like it's deep enough for firewood.
I'd also keep an eye out for the perfect sculpture, but the scale and mass has to be just right to work in the nook or it will look forced, or worse, weak and unsubstantial.
Are those electrical outlets in the nook?

come to think of it.....
...wood is probably what the nook was designed to hold!
After all, wood has to go somewhere, and the nook certainly takes care of the bug problems that often go along with firewood.
Oh but wait, did you say outlets? There goes my theory...

Thanks
I appreciate the suggestions... wood would seem logical, but the space in only about 7 inches deep, so they would have to be mighty small pieces of wood... and then there are the 2 electrical outlets. This house has the most outlets and lights of any house I have ever seen. It was a custom-build and every room including bedrooms have 2 switches - one for the overhead and one for the outlets.
I do like the idea of a primitive sculpture, but also looking for something with lights, or at least a cool sconce for the top that plugs in I think that space may have to remain open for a while until I stumble across the perfect thing. I will have to threaten the family to keep them from throwing keys and junk in there when they walk in the door in the meantime.