Take the FP back to the barebones and remove all the shelving from the sides .Show the whole LR sapce and IMO that TV there does not work at all unless you have a chiroprator on speed dial. I s there not another space you could have the TV Maybe post a to scale floor plan or normal pictures at least that show the true space /

Take everything off the shelves and mantle. Put back the two tall vases in the tall niches, then add one framed photo on each side on the bottom shelves. Choose two turquoise blue bowls or vases from your decor collection and put them on the middle shelves. Put one thing per shelf, not several small things.

Store the things you took down. You can change the decorative items each season or every month. People with big collections can act like museum curators by showcasing a few at a time.

Thanks so much!!! Very helpful advice from both of you. I’ll post better pictures tomorrow. Also, what color should I paint the fireplace and wall? I’m also considering painting all the trim white. Thanks

The 2nd picture attached shows the true space.
I’m considering antique white cabinets in the kitchen area.

Focusing on just the fireplace, I would eliminate all the trim over the fireplace, it is just overwhelming and too fancy. I would also paint the fireplace white when you paint the rest of the trim

BEFORE you do anything radical, start with some simple things! Remove the silk floral. Don’t be quite so literal with your need for symmetry and go for balance instead. Cool the color palette down by paining all the beige. Warm greys? I’d paint the built-ins a different color. Slate grey, some kind of plue, or maybe a deep grey-green. Putting wallpaper behind the shelves can add drama, but wait until you’re closer to the end, so it all coordinates. If you can, change the color of the tile on the fireplace to new stone or tile. It doesn’t look like you can remove the overmantle without affecting your crown, so I’d hesitate before doing that. I’d paint the wall around the mantle a charcoal grey, but leave the wall above built-ins the same color as adjoint walls. Start there, and the rest should follow. If it’s really overwhelming, it might be money well-spent to hire someone to help coordinate it all.

Thanks so much! You all have been very helpful. Is there an app I can use to do what you did to get the visual? I’m extremely visual and that was very helpful!!!!

Or would you please take these stones and add them to the picture? With the stain and without.

I can’t, but I can show you my new surround for a rough idea. My mantle is black and the stone is Tundra blue (it’s grey)

This is truly a case where paint will go a lying way. Whether you do all white for thee mantle built ins and trim in close to the color of the built ins unifying that and then dressing it up would make a huge difference. You can also add some nice window cabinet doors to the built as well.

Very helpful!!! Thanks so much!!!