I would wait to paint the mantle until you have more of the furniture set up. My problem would be ruining the look of the FP with the TV over it. I would have put it on a console on the left wall in the 2nd picture

You could try to remove the decorative carvings before you paint. I’m thinking they are glued on, then sand the area well.

I agree with chachawoman. Remove the appliques before painting. I also suggest hiding the unsightly prefab firebox with a Custom Fireplace Screen. Here's how it might look.

If the tv was to the right of the door, then anytime someone entered or exited, they would cross in front of it. That could be annoying to someone watching tv. But I agree, the tv should move IF at all possible.

Jordan Pukke, could you post photos of the entire room to get a better perspective of what you have to work with?

Thank y’all so much for the advice! Here are a couple more photos of the room… Please keep in mind this couch is not staying I’m getting a larger U-shaped couch and again I do have a giant white shag rug that is currently getting cleaned! I’m also attaching a photo of my inspiration kinda sorta! I’d also love yawls input on the crown molding… I’m not a fan but I’m not sure what I can do with it. Thank you!!!

We like the tv above the fire place because we don’t like that your back is facing the kitchen if we put the tv on the left wall or that the fireplace kind of gets ignored of the couch isn’t facing it. We enjoy facing it! Thank you for the advice though! :))

More photos, sorry I don’t have the wide angle camera iPhone yet lol !

You mentioned ”crown molding”, are you referring to the chair rail ? Is so, I would remove it before painting along with the appliques on the face of the mantle. Due to the raised hearth your TV looks very high, uncomfortably so..

A Samsung Frame TV can look like a picture when you're not using it, will solve the TV-over-the-fireplace dilemma. I agree with everyone who suggests removing the chair railing and the wooden doodads on the fireplace surround. It would look great painted a glossy black with a custom firescreen. Congrats on your new home!

Yes, remove the chair rail since your inspiration photo shows modern decor. Chair rail is more traditional.

"My problem would be ruining the look of the FP with the TV over it."

I agree and the TV is much too high in that location. The center of the screen should be at eye level from a seated position, about 42" from the floor.