Well, it is old…turn of the (20th century) oak. Assuming you don’t want to keep it natural, so if you are going to paint (maybe you can stain it), I would do it black.

I would stain it a little darker.

Hi, I can't really stain it because it's been patched so much throughout the years before we got it. It will need to be painted...

I thought maybe white .. Or maybe a charcoal?? I don't know. Since there is no other place to put the black tv and stand, I was afraid a black mantel might be too dark on that side of the room.

I would paint it the same color as the trim. I have a similar mantel in my dining room, painted white to match the trim.

I would also probably go with the trim color.

Simply White semi-gloss.

Paint it the same as the trim, I too have an old fireplace and painted in Decorator's White by BM to match my trim color.

I’d go with the trim too.

White also.

If you can't stain definitely the trim white- can't go wrong with white, can go wrong with any other color :) There's a fireplace safe black spray paint, I would spray the brass on your doors too- makes a huge difference. Gl!

Trim color

Looks great! Glad you went with white

Very nice! Love the reeding on the pillars.

Looks very lovely!

Good job, perfect!

I'm impressed!

A success. Very pretty in white.

You may be tired but the room looks amazing.