You might look at the Classic Audio Reproductions T-5, which is an extemely dynamic loudspeaker in a reasonably sized package. If you can swing it, the larger T-1 is even better. Let your wife put knick-knacks and whatnots on top of the T-1's; designer John Wolff routinely shows them with porcelain dogs on top.
www.http://www.classicaudiorepro.com/page5.html
Duke
www.http://www.classicaudiorepro.com/page5.html
Duke