I do not understand any of this. The title is a question, but the body of the post asks about paint. And none of it makes sense with the photo.

I agree with Jinx, it looks great!

I'd paint the built-ins to match your existing trim--looks like classic shiny white? If you're putting art back up, you might not need to paint above the FP. Plaster/drywall doesn't look the same painted as wood does so I'd probably hold off until the rest is done (including hanging art and adding books) and evaluate then.

ETA I never finish anything. I wonder why. :)

Don't you love when you find a tradesperson that buys into your project? I think painting it and the wall above the fireplace white will look great. Please post another pic when it's finished and styled.

It's not symmetrical but it seems balanced. She's good.

Thanks for the compliments! I wasn’t fishing, really. I am interested in any discussion.

@ShadyWillowFarm - This is an update on a question I asked months ago. People took the time to post so I wanted to let them know that I read their responses, and to show the outcome.

For example, on the previous post @lizbeth-gardener wrote ”I think if you do a bookcase on the left wall it will need to be shorter than the fireplace or it will overwhelm the fireplace and the room.” And I did not really get what she meant, because I am spatially confused, until the carpenter physically explained it on site.

I think the new built-ins will look good painted the same color as your trim. I don't really see why the wall above the fireplace would be painted white. It think it makes more sense for it to be painted the same color as the other walls.

I think you and your carpenter did a masterful job! I’m with Fori…in more ways than one. Wait to see how it looks… And I never get anything finished for waiting to see how it is going to look!

ETA: the ”wait and see how it looks” is in reference to the wall area above the fireplace. I’d paint the bookcases to match your current trim color.

That looks much nicer! I agree with others to paint built ins the same as trim and keep the wall the same as other walls

Your carpenter has great vision and skill and is a keeper. This looks very nice and embraces the quirks. I agree with painting the built-ins a soft white to complement the rest of the room. I’d paint above the fireplace the same as the rest of the wall color.

What a great solution you have found! It looks great. I would paint the bookshelves the same as the trim. Are you going to hang art above the fireplace?

You found the perfect person for your project-she not only can build, but has an eye for design. I'm in the chorus of painting the bookcases the same as trim. When that is completed, I think you will have a better feel for what color you want the walls. I can't wait to see it painted, filled with books and some art work.

I think the only reason you would paint the area over the fireplace the same as the trim was if you were wanting it to look like an overmantle…which would probably require more trim directly above the mantle. Mine was trimmed out this way, and we painted the entire thing as trim. See below:

As is, I think I would paint yours the same as your wall color, especially since you have that pretty brick surround.

Thank you for the kind comments. This house has many nice architectural features, but this wall just seemed wrong to me - fireplace is too large, left side wall large and useless. There’s two short rows of this exact house on my street (end units are different tho) and I haven’t seen that anyone has done anything to this space, other than painting the fireplace white. The fact that so many do this makes me want to leave mine unpainted. I admit to being oppositional sometimes.

I am desperately looking for artwork but cannot find anything large enough! I want somwthing bright and modern. Most galleries here seem to have abstact stuff. Vintage posters are vastly vertical. I’d really love a linocut or woodblock but they are too small. My husband wants to look for a set of 3 Japanese woodblocks but I would prefer one large thing.

@nini804 - That’s a beautiful fireplace! Thank you for explaining what the carpenter was thinking. I agree my fireplace is too simple and wall should be painted as a wall. I am thinking about a light, barely pink, not an obvious pink. I’m not sure if that would help subdue the fireplace or reinforce it.

Since you have a carpenter on hand, she could add a simple frame inside the area above the fireplace. You could then use a different color inside the frame (or not) and mount art there. It would give the art more presence so you could use a smaller piece or multiple small pieces.

Alternatively, find art you like and have it framed with a mat to enlarge it. I did that with a watercolor. When I moved houses, I wanted to use it over the fireplace, but it wasn't big enough. Getting a new mat and frame fixed the problem.

I am not sure what kind of art you are drawn to. I think sometimes using a photo you love or a high resolution image that speaks to you can printed at a printing shop. could be a great idea. Then just mat and frame it. You do not need a mat but I always have liked them. Just food for thought.

Here is a link to Etsy with downloadable art

ETSY