Oh my gosh OB the tile is gorgeous. I can't wait to see your room completed. You have such good taste.

I think it will look fabulous. I'd try to work with the TV because I'm a penny pincher, and extend the tile to 60". Also, I think that tiling the entire angled wall will look better than stopping short of those corners.

As for the mantle. The rough hewn style is one of my favorites and I think it will look fabulous. It has to be at least 12" above the firebox. Check to see if that height, coupled with the height of the proposed mantle, doesn't raise your TV beyond comfortable viewing.

I like the tile very much, but I don't personally see it in that spot. If the TV is to go over the fpl, it should def be smaller.

But are you certain you want it over the fpl? The height is suboptimal for viewing, and looking at the room, not knowing where the seating is, it looks like you will be on an angle?

A lot depends on where you will be sitting to watch the TV. The higher up on the wall the TV is mounted, the further back your seating needs to be, to avoid having to crane your neck at an uncomfortable angle.

For a 45" TV, the recommended viewing distance is 5.75-9.5 feet. For a TV over a fireplace, the 9.5' distance would be best, but you might be more comfortable sitting back even further, depending on the viewing angle.

Where are you planning on putting the sofa (or other main seating for TV watching?) Can you get nearly 10 feet back from the set and still fit the other furniture in the room?

Whatever you do, if you are going to mount the TV on the angled wall, I'd suggest a bracket that can swing out from the wall, so you can angle the TV for the best viewing position.

Without knowing anything about your plans for the room or traffic patterns through the house, I'd suggest putting the TV on the wall to the left of the fireplace, and the main seating on the wall opposite that. You'd be able to see the fireplace and TV at the same time, but without the issues related to mounting the TV so high.

I've never heard anyone complain that they got too large a TV set. I have heard the opposite.

The TV looks like it might take up all the width above the fireplace. I'd do some cardboard cutouts of different TV sizes to see how they look, and how well you can see them from your seating area. If the TV is too big, it might make your tile seem cut in half. A 45" TV on a field of 60" tiled wall leaves only about 7.5" on either side. The small mirror (light colored) on the big dark tile field in your IP is different from a big dark TV on a big dark tile field.

Exactly, mtnrd.

I like the tile posted, but it would look like a more modern application to me and not something to go with a rustic wood beam mantel.

And when you mount it over the fireplace without any cabinetry around, where do you put the boxes? Most likely they'd have to be wired through the wall to a closet or someplace and then use RF controls to operate the system.

A layout would be helpful, oldbat2be. I'm with Annie - how do you wire the TV, DVD, cable box, whatever, with the TV over the fireplace?

Some friends of ours mounted their large TV on the wall next to their fireplace, and ran the cables and cords through the wall to a cabinet below, which houses the electronics.

I also agree with camlan - once you've watched a nature program or beautiful scenery on a large TV, you'll never want to go smaller! 3 years ago we splurged and got a 50" (diagonal) TV for our family room, and the novelty still hasn't worn off.

I don't think your flatscreen is large compared to the range of offerings.

As a designer, I wouldn't recommend mounting it over the fireplace, especially an angled fireplace, in a room that is this narrow. I don't see any reasonable way to layout the furniture and be able to view the flatscreen comfortably if you mount it there..

See examples of rooms with angled fireplaces and flatscreens positioned elsewhere.

While I like the Hex tile, I think it would drive your eye's nuts while watching TV.

I think painted white paneling on the whole FP wall would be perfect, not only for looks but for TV viewing.

I do have to agree about uncomfortable tv viewing when it's over the FP, and if you use the FP, I wouldn't put a TV over it.

What color is your grout going to be? If light, like your example, I agree it will hurt the eyes to look at. I do like that the black/dark brown tile look will make the TV seem less obvious!

To answer your original question, I don't think that TV size is too big relative to the wall/fireplace. Since you'll need your furniture further away than normal, the larger size would be more viewable.

Usually the LR dilemma is about serving two masters; wanting the aesthetic of the fpl as a focal point, and bowing to the reality that a TV really IS a focal point.

Looking at Beverly's helpful photos, I have come to see your angled fpl as a great asset. If you put the TV to the left of it, and a sofa directly across from the TV, you have created a space where both are focal points. Parfait!

We have an angled fireplace and have set up our TV like the photos shown by Beverly. I even considered ripping out the fireplace because it does take up so much room! Our TV is in a console that can be closed. It started with a 50" and now houses a 65", which is the maximum size that will fit.

From the same distance, the hex tile may look like this after it's installed.

Thanks so much all! Here are a few answers to questions asked.

Regarding wiring, we can get to this from the upstairs (attic). I'm planning on running HDMI cables from here to a cabinet somewhere else in the room.

TV viewing - I rarely get to watch TV myself, but DH and the kids are typically prone or occasionally seated. I'm assuming DH can lay down on his sofa, and fairly easily see the flat screen, if his feet are towards the front hall (bottom of the picture).

Room layout - I originally planned to place the TV as shown in this picture, either on a low table or mounted on the wall.

This was on Saturday morning, DH kindly mocked up the TV size prior to buying anything, so I could get a feel for the size. Once he placed it in the planned location, I immediately felt it would detract from my 'grand' plan to tile the fireplace. If the fireplace were all white, that would be one thing. But two dark objects so close to eachother...

Over the current fireplace:

And one last - here's a picture prior to the remodel, showing the full corner and all the white panelling which I'm so pleased to be done with!

Holly-Kay - thanks... slow progress but we all know how that goes :)

Alex9179 - It'd be a lot cheaper to exchange the TV for a smaller one and then tile less :) Thanks for the height recommendations.

lolauren - Tile grout- haven't thought that far yet. Point taken about the contrast detracting.

beverly27 - Thanks very much for posting the angled fireplaces and adjacent TV pictures. Do you still think the better spot is to the left of the fireplace, after you've seen more of the room? Regarding TV size, is that a 'not too large' on the left side, over the fireplace, or both?

mtnrdredux, AnnieDeighnaugh - Nice to have your definitive answers on TV size over fireplace. I especially don't want the TV to 'stand out' or overpower the room.

camlan - I've include room measurements but not actual viewing distances. Thanks, I will check them. It will definitely be on a swing out bracket.

andee - Obviously we've both been on GW too long, good thinking for the cut-out :) The other downside of a large TV is a ton of 'wasted' tile behind it (but I do think I need to tile the whole space).

annkh - Everyone's pulling for the larger TV but I'm not sold yet :)

oakleyok - We rarely use this fireplace. (Haven't for 3 years!). Eventually (and this may be the time), we'll convert to gas.

chispa - If I could get rid of this angled fireplace, I would. But there's another one right behind it (in the kitchen area) and it's in the middle of the house....

Here's one more inspiration picture. Note here how nicely the TV disappears with the dark background.

[

[Traditional Family Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by Novato Kitchen & Bath Designers Julie Williams Design

Maybe a silly question - why don't you swap your sofa and DH's, and put the TV as shown on your diagram? And the TV needs to go much lower - especially if watching laying down, from less than 10' away.

TV left of the FP, able to swivel, seems ideal. DH and kids can turn the TV for optimal viewing from that end of the room; flat against the wall if you are watching from both couches.

I don't know what the viewing angle is like for your TV - we specifically went with plasma, because our family room is laid out so not everyone can watch from straight on. My Mom's TV (older, not fancy LCD) is difficult to watch from even a 45° angle.

For years many of us lived with TVs housed in elaborate furniture console cabinets, close to the ground. TV viewing was never a problem in this position. After all you're sitting 17" off the ground with you eyes about 48" above the floor.

Then the TVs got BIG and the only way to house a 35" TV was to place it on a large stand to support the weight, or hide it inside a large armoires and wall units.

Now we have flat screens, and small stands that were designed to hold the flatscreen and the ever present cable box, gave way to 'Entertainment Units' that took over walls in rooms. The electronics industry sold us on the idea of flatscreens hanging on the walls as if the flatscreen was 'art'. The flatscreen kept creeping higher and higher on the walls, and now we're placing them above the fireplace which IMO is never the place to install a flatscreen.

I just recently spiffed up a living room I had designed back in 2007 and decided that the flatscreen belongs down near the floor where TVs used to be, and art belongs on the wall. Not easy to accomplish with what's available on the market in terms of cabinets. This is what I designed and had built to hold the 50" flatscreen. This gives my client her walls back to display her extensive art collection, a horizontal surface for sculpture and a place to provide general illumination with a lamp.

Below I indicate where I would put your flatscreen, and I would house it in a modest cabinet. This location will minimize the glare you're going to get from the window if you put the flatscreen over the fireplace.

I stopped reading after the pics of your hubby holding up the cardboard.

I think the size is fine.

I prefer a dark background so that the tv blends in vs being a big dark rectangle on the wall.

I'm not fond of those hex tiles there.

We need to tear our fp wall down, it's hideous. I've got my eye on a few interesting tiles. Nothing chosen yet.

But I really love the architectural tile that is out now. And I'm also finding myself very interested in the tile that looks like reclaimed lumber. Check out MS&T's website for some ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Reclaimed lumber tile

Hi annkh - the sofas can't be swapped due to different lengths and cushion specs (I like firmer, DH likes softer).

Beverly27 - you are spot on; great job photo shopping (pbrushing the images). THAT is the way we will proceed. I am a lot less bothered by a darker TV lower down, than one higher up. Thank you so much for your images and advice.

Bee - don't you have a brand new home?!! What on earth happened to your FP wall? Thanks very much for posting the link to the reclaimed lumber tile (and the advice), really like the tile!

oldbat2be: What happened to the other tile? Great to see how the room is coming along. BTW, I have the same TV pic in my Houzz ideabook.

We ended up with the TV to the left of the rebuilt fireplace, in a custom built-in that is similar in style to the new kitchen. It is a bit higher than beverly's picture, and on an pivoting, articulating mount. This is useful for tilting it out to improve viewing angles when more than one couch is viewing.

oldbat2be, well, the builder installed rock that was not what we asked for. And it was done in a rush (days before closing), we told them to stop, but it was finished. It was poorly done, I mean very very bad quality. During the walk through we told the foreman (RIP) to take it down. He noted it. It was approved. Nothing. 90 days, nothing. 1 year, nothing. There is always talk about it, but it is still up and I have it covered as much as possible.

It's just hideous. This is why no one has seen it!

I like the tile...and I like the TV over the fireplace...but not both. As Oakleyok said, it would be far too busy for me and would give me a headache to 'stare' at that tile. To look at it, admire it, notice it as I came in...all very nice, but not to stare at it for hours at a time.

So, I would vote for the TV to be next to the fireplace. If your DH is not so sure, remind him that he could one day get a BIGGER TV, if it didn't have to fit in the space above the fireplace :)

Bee - Sorry to hear. Love the tile you posted, it's really good looking.

gooster - I just wasn't crazy about the color ways the kj Patterson tile came in and didn't want to risk specifying my own. I just love looking at / for tile, so it's no hardship to move on! Please post a picture of your built-in, if you have one handy, would like to see it.

Lavender_lass - It won't be this tile and if it is a hex (which I really like), it will be Heath's 5x5, much larger. I haven't figured out grout yet. There will be no bigger TV; this is ridiculously large as it is.

I've been coveting the beautiful TV cabinets with lifts mtnrdredux has been posting; would love to be able to hide this occasionally.

Have you considered real wood tile? I like this interlocking stuff. Warm yet contemporary. It comes in different patterns too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jamie Beckwith

This post was edited by AnnieDeighnaugh on Fri, Sep 27, 13 at 8:31

I think its good idea to place the tv next to the fireplace rather than over that .It may be logical that HE would bring a bigger tv sooner but considering safety issues, it is much better to place next to hearth and stuffing some decorative pieces above fireplace space.

Here is a link that might be useful: tv installation

I didn't read all the posts, but, we have a 52" tv over our fireplace and I absolutely love it! I would never put it back down by the floor again. I don't understand the people who saying looking up at it is a problem. You look up at the movie theater ;)

I believe you only look up in a movie theatre if you're in the first few rows, otherwise you're close to the center of the screen.

Here is info from an article I found on-line.
Recommended Viewing angle
"............ Your TV will look its best when viewed straight-on, at a height where your eyes are level with the middle of the screen. With that in mind, you'll probably need a TV stand to support your TV and raise it to the correct viewing height."

Here is a link that might be useful: Screen Size and Placing your TV

I know you have quite a bit to read through here already, so I will try to keep this brief.

Because of the doorways leading into your room, your sofa layout is most definitely the most practical, and having the TV over the fireplace provides with the best view from both seating locations so I would stick to your gut on that one.

With regard to the tile, I would make sure to select a dark grout that blends in well. Without seeing the actual tile, my best guess is that a taupe would still provide you with a bit of contrast which you like in your inspiration picture without creating too much of a color difference to be bothersome while watching TV.

When DH held up the cardboard over the fireplace, it was perfect. My suggestion is to get a TV mount that tilts so that you can have it slightly facing downwards to maximize viewing comfort. You can also certainly have a wood mantlepiece.

However, for all of this to look great, I think you need to extend your tile to the corners where the wall bends. If you have a professional tile installer do the installation they can cut the tiles at an angle so it ends right into the wall. Otherwise, you can order a tile liner for the edges for a finished look.

I attached a picture of a fireplace I did in grey with the TV up high with a tilt mount so you can see an example of it in action.

If you have any questions feel free to check out my site!
www.designmacs.com or my blog on Facebook at the Design MACS page

Here is a link that might be useful: Design MACS

Hahaha thanks Bev for informing where the tv is best viewed from!! LOL I guess I have been viewing mine from the wrong location for the last 3 years ;)