Please do not change a thing about the fireplace itself, it is gorgeous, including the stone mantle. Your floors are gorgeous too -- warm, and the warm colors in the FP, oh my goodness what I'd give to have a FP in my kitchen like that. I agree with others that what you've got on it is too small and too much, also too horizontal. You need (a) vertical thrust (b) simplicity (c) largeness. On either (or both) side(s), what do you think about a large vertical oil painting (or canvas transfer of oil painting) -- NO GLASS, just a framed oil, leaned against the wall, flanked by a pair of large topiaries or candles or wood candelabre (something of a soft material, not metallic or glass, since you have a lot of "hard" going on there with all the brick and stone. I know this is simple, but simple is often good, especially when the fireplace makes such a grand statement all on its own -- so much so that you could practically leave it completely undecorated and it would say enough! The only thing that bothers me a teensy bit is the exposed black firebox and I'm wondering about a simple (but beefy) fireplace screen in front of it. But even so, the rest of the composition says so much that this little point doesn't matter much.

I agree that you have a lot going on, but it's wonderful so far. The thing I would avoid is having too much stuff or detail on that mantel and let the fireplace be the statement. I saw this and thought it looked great, but am not sure if you can reach the mantel to light candles or turn on battery operated ones. I think they make some remote control. The other option I'd consider would be a large painting there with nothing else on the mantel. Not sure what to do with the niche. If you don't do candles on the mantel, then I might do some remote control ones in the niche. [Contemporary Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Woodinville Interior Designers & Decorators Interiors Okay, maybe cows aren't your thing, but something bold like this :) [Traditional Porch[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-porch-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_726~s_2107)

My fireplace is about the same color rock as your's, and I have the same type of rock mantel! It was hard finding just the right things to put on it because it's in a dark corner. Light is key, do you have a narrow lamp you can set on it? The color that pops for me is cream. For awhile I put my small collection of crocks on it and the color really stood out. Now I have a largish picture sitting on the mantel leaning back against the wall, with only one thing on either side of it, one being a lamp, even though there's an overhead spotlight which I sometimes use. When you set a lot of small things on the mantel, along with the dark clock, it all gets lost. It takes a lot of work decorating a mantel, something I thought would be easy. :) I'll try to find a picture of my mantel tomorrow.

I say nothing on the mantel, but the fireplace looks unfinished. Here are a couple ideas: Black Metal Surround with Copper Mantel continued as side trim Floor to ceiling treatment using the same materials