Instead of a double mantel, create an extended one -- a mantel not just over the fireplace but wall to wall, with built in cabinets beneath that mantel on each side of the fireplace. This would create a visual horizontal break to the too tall wall without the overpowering feel of a double mantel. Also, the cabinets and wall to wall mantel would help hide the wires and cords for any tv or lighting you were putting above the mantel height.

Then, just add board trim around the area above the mantel where you're putting art or tv.

Sorry, the insert is too small. You should get a bigger one and float it if you're going to do all the other work. Its not going to look right otherwise.

Don't know why suzyq53 is thinking the insert is too small. Hopefully, you have another heating source? If so, the insert size suits well enough; however, since heat rises, if you're wanting the fireplace to actually heat a room with a high ceiling, you'll definitely be needing your ceiling fan to force the heat back down from the ceiling.

Your fireplace wall has great potential. Do let us know how your project turns out.

Thank you all for the responses.

Carolyn, my family room walls are 18 feet. We have 9 foot ceilings on the first floor and 8 foot ceilings on the second floor with 1 foot of floor joists / subfloor. By a double mantle I mean that I am going to do two fire place surrounds. I have attached a picture that I plan to use while designing our fireplace (no TV though). To clarify your suggestion, are you saying that the lower mantle (5.5' high) should be shorter than the second mantle (up to 12' which is an additional 6.5' on top of the first mantle)? If so that does bring another option into play. I always thought that the lower mantle should be the bigger for architectural purposes. I guess not.

Suezbell, thank you for the input on the built-ins. My wife and I did initially entertain built-ins, but everyone that has this house in our neighborhood has them so we are deciding to go with floating shelves on the two side walls at a later date to have something a bit different. The floating shelves will match the oversized wood mantle (stained) on the fire place wall. The fireplace honestly serves no purpose but to allow my wife to sit next to it when she is cold. We have central heating that is used to heat the house.

Suzyq, I would love to get a bigger fireplace but that adds an enormous amount of costs that we do not want to put into this project. I will definitely posts some pictures of the project is finalized.

If anyone else has suggestions on the height of the fireplace mantle / surround it would be greatly appreciated!

Yep! I just did a 42" heat n glo. $4000 for the box plus reframe and install. Looks awesome though.

Here are some examples of 2 story fireplaces.

I very much like Beverly's 2nd photo of the mantle that extends perhaps 6 feet on either side of the FP opening, with shelving below on each side. It's dramatic and lovely.

Back to landrstein's question about the 5.5' and 12'height dimensions that I suggested might be possibilities for the double mantles I was envisioning, those dimensions were for how far above the floor they would be, not how wide they would be.

It would be good if you could get a designer to draw to scale what you want it to look like. It's important that you and the contractor are on the same page, and drawings will help you get there.

That's super, landrstein. We look forward to seeing the drawing. And congrats to you for undertaking the job yourself! I'm hoping, and indeed thinking, that you've done work like this before.

The detailing is beautiful. Can you post another picture of the full wall?

You are indeed off to a great start, landrstein! I would continue the beautiful detailing up to the 12’ height I previously mentioned.

@natesg thank you! I have a picture of the entire wall at the top of this post, but will post a picture again once we get some sun here in Virginia. The dark, gloomy weather we currently have will not turn out to be a good picture.

@ Carolyn thank you! I agree with you! My plan is to do the same surround with a bit less detail (no dark wood mantle) for the second surround, but will be using grey shiplap instead of brick.

Looks great! What a lot of work. But what a difference. Bravo!