Here goes. Would you consider painting the built in so that it recedes, rather than stands out? At the mo, I think the fp and the builtin compete for attention and anything above the fp will add to the confusion, rather than balance it out.

Or paint the brick? Personally, if I was going to as much money and time and hassle as you are in updating, I'd get rid of the curved top and put in a wood mantel. YMMV.

What if you built a cherry fireplace surround and overmantel that continued the paneled effect over the fireplace and down the other side? It would still be asymmetrical but it would tie the two elements together nicely I think.

I would paint the cabinet the exact color of the wall so it would minimize the situation. Then I'd find a colorful large piece of art to put over the fireplace and add drapes to the window. That would draw the eye toward the center of the room as the eye always goes to color.

I agree; it's the cabinet that doesn't flow. The color I'd pick would be similar to what the right couch looks like or a little lighter then the wall color; or maybe a shade darker then the wall color.

I am never one for painting brick, and I LOVE the colors in yours! I just have always thought one does brick to AVOID painting..
Does it make sense to put the TV over the fireplace? I guess one would have to get rid of the arch to do that?? I am thinking the built in should be the same color as the rest of the wood work in the room, which is white. I have a similar problem, my cut stone fireplace is all to one side of the room, not centered. That leaves a huge white wall. How does one balance that?? I share your frustration!

I'm always of two minds on painting brick - but my eye darts from furniture to brickwork because of the seeming repitition of "checks".

I'd consider doing away with the arch or just adding a more pronounced mantle - any mantle decor could be weighted to the left for an illusion of balance - a look that might not be as easily achieved by hanging a large piece of art.

I'd also paint the cabinet, but I'd match it to the trim. I'd try to find something sculptural for over the fireplace that has a curve to mimic the fpl itself. I imagine that would emphasize the curve and keep it playful.
The coffee table needs to be toned down as well. You currently have mellow colors and 2 strong orange pieces, so it is jarring.

In the interest of not making any drastic changes... what about adding drapes to each side of the window (if the cats are okay with it) to mirror the shape of the cabinet? For above the fireplace, I bet you can find some kind of metal art that's shaped somewhat in an arc.

You can also do some sort of built in to the left of the fireplace; or throw some molding around the left window.

I'm not a fan of brick- but I do like your fireplace & I think painting it would ruin it. The colors are really nice.

glad to see you figured out how to post photos!! My first thought was the same as some others: I'd paint the built in the color of the wall to make it recede, then do something decorative over the fireplace like a colorful large painting. Or paint that wall a color closer to the cabinet color as an accent wall. If the budget allows and you don't want to paint it, then the idea to put a whole wall of cabinetry around the fireplace would provide some balance.

Wow a lot have posted since I first saw this and drew the following virtual, worked on laundry among other things before I had a chance to share it with you, but here goes, I'd try to find some window panels that closely match the cherry wood on the built in and bring the rod out so the panels come close to the brick to balance either side of the fireplace. You could also ad a mantel as drawn in the picture below....

You have a such a lovely home and furnishings. I'm sure you can find a way to bring out the best of it all.

Yes, that is a really poor design to work with. My thoughts were the same as palimpsest. Though asymmetrical, if you can, build another bookcase to the left. Bridge the two with moldings to the ceiling to create the look of full built-ins and either panel above the fireplace or paint as an accent in a darkish neutral brown pulling from the bricks so the middle section reads somewhat as one, downplaying the fireplace. You could also paint or whitewash the fireplace to neutralize it. Maybe add a starburst mirror?

I would suggest painting out the wood in a light neutral so it recedes. I think continuing with the cherry would be overbearing in your space due to the layout. It would also seem a bit heavy for what looks like an airy room and furnishings.

Good idea, if making significant changes, to also get an estimate on redoing the fireplace itself. While it would still look very nice with some changes, I think, I don't think it's really special and it doesn't seem you really like it at all.

I know it's drastic, but I would think about getting rid of the built in cabinet. I don't thinking just painting it will really make that big of a difference. it will still be off balance.
I wouldn't paint the brick either, I think it's nice as is.

Wow! I am so thankful that so many of you have already taken time to give me your opinions. I now have so many ideas that I've never even thought of...I will sift through them all at the end of the day but special thanks to Olychick for help getting my picture posted and thanks to justgotabme for the "virtual room". You guys are amazing and I very much appreciate it!

You're welcome Cathy. It looks as though to me the built in is pretty much flush with the wall so the idea of adding another built in would probably be out of the question if that's true. With that in mind the only idea I could think of would be to use curtains to balance it out. Of course not knowing what is beyond the left of your photo, that may not be an option, but it was worth the time it took to draw, just incase it worked or even helped you decide something else you hadn't thought of. I know sometimes the wrong idea can spark a thought you might not have thought of otherwise. Good luck!
Oh and I wouldn't paint the built in our surround. They both are rich in materials and give so much character to the room. You sofa fabric is perfect for this room.

I would put a cherry wood overmantel, and then a narrow length of trim down the left side of the fireplace, and cap the entire width with the same crown moulding at the same height that the cabinet is now, so that it looks like one total piece with the fireplace as a part of the whole built in.

I would not paint anything, and I would leave the arch as it is over the fireplace - it adds some interest and breaks up all the rectangles in the area. I would take the clock down and instead mount a decorative dark iron piece there that compliments the hardware on the cabinet.

I would not rely on drapery to try and balance the area - it won't have the same visual weight even if you could come close to the color.

For sure I would pull the couch on the left into the seating area, and get an area rug to define that part of the space so that the eye is centered on the cabinet/fireplace part of the wall. If one of the seating pieces is wider, I would have that one be the one facing the fireplace.

I am sure you have yet to add end tables and lamps, since you only have task lighting there at the moment, but I would wait to decide on the end tables until you have the seating in place.

The overall feel of the space is fresh and clean, and the colors work well. What are you planning for an accent color?

Re-thinking the bookcase, I think it was suggested to do paneling to the left side of the fireplace. I believe that would work better than building in another bookcase (probably a no-go anyway). It would be lighterweight and also allow for a drapery panel on that window. While still traditional like the house, the more contemporary feel of that configuration would mesh nicely with what we can see of your furnishings. I'd also vote for an update of the fireplace in wood. (Not meaning that the fireplace is not at all attractive!)

Another vote for painting both elements -- the cabinet and the fireplace brick in white to work with the white windows and doors.

Add modern glass or pottery items to the top shelf of the cabinet.

Add dark chocolate modern wood-and-glass tables -- maybe a round coffee table (which would work well with the shapes of the fireplace and hearth) and an end table or two. Add silver or oil-rubbed bronze lamps -- both table lamp(s) and a standing lamp.

For accent colors -- consider copper, steel blue or bright green in the warmer months.

Consider a round area rug with modern colors and shapes. Neutral or chocolate brown full curtains and panels on the windows and doors.

Add a round or starburst mirror above the fireplace. Add more modern art prints around the room if possible.

What about throwing some sort of seating there? Similar to a Queen Anne; then some art?

Or one could throw a palm tree there lol

Much simpler and easy on the budget, though not quite the impact. Paint out the bookcase (in the wall color or very similar) so it fades into the background. Place a large starburst over the fireplace flanked with two smaller ones creating an arch. Rich colored panels on the windows, extending the one out toward the fireplace a bit to close some of the gap. That area to the left will still need something, so if there's room a chair by the fire would be great or maybe a tall tree. The fireplace could be painted or not (kind of scarey to do those drastic things.) It does clash somewhat in pattern and style with the sofas but that's a tough reason to paint it permanently. There are some great starbursts out there not too fancy (but so expensive). If you're handy maybe you could make them.

I think you should paint the bookcase the trim color. Add your drapes and maybe a series of something above the fireplace. Three small paintings, small mirrors, or something else. You just need something to left and it could be a basket with wood for the fire and something long, like a narrow piece of art, hanging above it or maybe once you have drapes they will cover that space? I did a really shoddy mockup of the built-in painted white. By shoddy I mean really bad :-). And I'm not suggesting this basket or these mirrors, but just wanted to throw something in. Then I think you need to pick an accent color (reds, blacks, blues, etc) to break the whole room up and add in some throw pillows, a blanket, etc. In the end I think some paint and accessorizing is the solution
:-) Lastly, I keep wanting to see what is to the left of this space? If you post a picture looking from the sliders into the room, that may also help so we can see what the rest of the space looks like.

Maybe some red accents?

I can't believe the thought you guys are putting into my "issue"....thanks again so very much. Chris11895, thank you for the time you took to do your mock up too. Those type of things are really helpful to me. I've told a number of people about this site...and this is exactly why!