I haven't seen examples but I'd worry that you may throw the proportions of the fireplace off by removing some rows of bricks. Plus, bricks can create a lot of headaches when you go to remove them. I would consider replacing the mantle with one that has cleaner lines, then move the TV down to the mantle. Other option is to remove the mantle, install additional brick (painted) all the way to the ceiling, then mount the TV where you want it.

Re: the sofas.....if that were my main TV watching room, I would want the sofa opposite the TV and chairs on each side of the fireplace. Or.......a nice sectional (for comfort) and one chair.

I like the sofa you are thinking of because it looks like exactly the same fabric and color of mine! Kind of a blue/grey. It's such a versatile color. You can add red or burgundy or navy or off-white accents and it looks great.

Oh, and my wall color is the same as yours, too. Great taste!

annztoo: I would love to place the sofa so that it faces the tv. A sectional would be even better, but neither I'll work because there is not enough space between my fr and the hallway separating it from my kitchen. I've mocked it up many times and it looked and feels cramped and forced. It is what it is, so I just need to make it work as is. I may change out the mantle with something simpler, thanks for the suggestion.

Littlebug: I love this sofa, so you do have great taste! Would you put a smaller version across from it. Or something completely different?

If it were me, I'd face the sofa with 2 side chairs, much like you have now. Maybe off white?

BTW, I just noticed your area rug. Look at mine, in my dining room that adjoins the room where my blue sofa is! LOL!

cpartist- mantle mount looks like the perfect solution to the tv over the FP/height issue! Thanks so much for the link- I just sent it to dh, who only cares about all things electronic and that I get a new sofa.

I really want a small sofa/love seat instead of the 2 chairs because I want to be more comfortable if I'm stuck on that side watching tv! So, again the $64,000 question is- should it match the new sofa or should it be a different color/style?

I would match the love seat to the sofa. If it was two chairs, I would say no to matching the sofa, because the two chairs would match. I like if at least a couple of pieces of furniture in a room match, makes it less busy looking for me.

Frankly I think you gain more seating with the 2 separate chairs than a love seat. Unless people are close, they are reluctant to share a love seat as it's uncomfortably close. The 2 chairs not only give people their own space, but it allows for more lamp light if you have a table in between...and it gives people a place to put their drinks.

If the room is used informally and you want a person each to lay on the couch to watch tv, the a loveseat may make sense... or if there's space, then maybe another sofa instead.

I would have 2 identical sofas (not a love seat) for your comfort since that's the room you relax in and watch tv. I have 2 matching sofas in our tv room and hubby and I can each sprawl out on our own sofa for tv viewing. Depends on whether you're furnishing your room for your comfort or company's.

At this stage of my life I am furnishing the room for my comfort, not for guests! We do have a formal living room for entertaining, but I want something in this room that's comfy, cozy and still looks beautiful and put together. I always end up watching tv in one of the red chairs (dh beats me to the sofa) and inevitably I end up falling asleep, which is not very comfortable!

Two smaller sofas?

I vote for two small Sofas that match. Be sure to get low comfortable arms on the sofas so that you can lay on the sofa to watch tv. That will probably help your neck and viewing angle.

Have you thought about moving the TV to the wall with the lovely tree picture and moving the tree picture over the fireplace? Honestly you're giving yourself a lot of neck trouble looking both up and over at the TV. At the very least, if this is a family room, I'd get a smaller coffee table and some kind of small sectional sofa so I could lay down and veg. out in front of the TV!

Oh pinkmountain, how I would love a sectional to watch tv on, stretch out and read on, take a long snooze on! It just doesn't work- over the years I've mocked up every possible configuration and the bottom line is that it either has to be 2 sofas across from each other or a sofa and 2 chairs. Anything else results in a cramped, weird space that feels cut off from the open concept kitchen and causes the fr to appear even smaller than it is. I've been in this house 18 years and I've had sofas facing the FP and it is truly horrible. I've also been in other houses with the same floor plan as mine and every time there is a sectional involved it is a disaster.

Here is another company with a similar mount posted by someone here a few months ago, maybe the same mount, but you can check who has a better price. https://www.dynamicmounting.com/

Thanks chispa!

I get the room that only works one way. I would like to be able to do a sofa and chairs or pair of sofas in my FR, but even before we bought the house we knew this room neeed a sectional. Still, it is a pain to try to find one that fits the room.

In your room, I would want a pair of matching sofas or a sofa and two chairs. It's hard to know, but it looks like the grey sofa might be shorter than the one you have now - could you do a pair or the same sofa? If chairs, could you do recliners? Not big barcalounger type, but one that looks like regular comfy chair but lets you put your feet up. DH might beat you to the recliner instead and then you'd have your choice of sofa or the other chair. ;-)