Can you show us a picture of it? Were you thinking of getting a new mantel and/or changing the surround? How would you describe your style?

Sorry, had a hard time getting the photo on. We have painted and updated the house, but this is just too much ornate. Its a pretty traditional style. fourth wall is builtin cabinets and shelving. Flooring is 3" oak. large opening katty cornered into dining room and entry way. Thinking trying to remove the white "columns", hoping the brick is underneath, I can see some screws. Mantel is WAY too high and big. We plan to replace the huge gas logs with pan and glass.

I also think the mantel + columns are too big and in your face. I wonder if paint would make a difference. Also, it’s possible the columns are not holding the mantel up. So remove them.

One more thing - I also have oak trim and wide-plank oak floors. Our very large fireplace is partially faced with the same oak. The mantel is about 66” off the floor.

The mantel and columns don’t look original. i would bet they come off with some amount of ease.

first thing I'd do is remove that white mantle! it doesn't coordinate well and the white just sticks out.

I'd do a solid wood mantle, something like this,,,, (this was for someone else, so ignore the paint colors)

See this mantle? like this

then you need to lose all of the tiny little items on the mantle and decorate w/something like this. a taller piece of art, one or two vases, knick knacks.

or, something like this one. (this stone was white washed)

do you like that brick color? if you dont, you can white wash it, mortar wash it, or paint it whatever you like

this one has a curvend mantle because it's more rounded than yours.

photoshopped this one onto your pic.

WOW! You all found so many more pictures than I could. Yes, I need to keep the brick original, the entire house is bricked, and we have brick columns at front porch and the sunroom walls are brick. I love several of these, and cool photoshop pic!! Thanks so much. The mantel has to go, I agree. We have been here 5 years, working room by room. This is the last.

you don't have to keep the brick as is. you can white wash it or do the mortar wash. all the brick in the entire house doesn't have to match

this is an example of a heavy mortar wash. I love this one

this one too. looks so much better.

Beth H, thank you so much!! Wish you were in Texas. I am going to post the other side of the room in a few minutes.

Nope, you do not need to keep all the brick matching. A white smear that lets some of it show through could be perfect. It lightens up the room but respects the brick.

The WHITE mantle as said many times is not working. Why then would you put WHITE on the brick?? You already know WHITE doesn't work in this space. Your brick is warm and will coordinate nicely with a beautiful wood mantle. What is your style? Will it be a rough cut large beam or something more refined? With that brick you could go either way.

Arcy-gw, I believe a bit more refined. We had to purchase a new mantle in a previous house, and I see one on Overstock that is similar. The house is pretty traditional, with those darn medalions on the window molding.

I had posted a couple of ideas early on, then thought maybe I misunderstood the style you were going for, so deleted them.

Anyway, back again. :) I think your brick color is very nice and wouldn’t permanently alter it with paint or limewash. But I’m usually the outlier on that.

I like these stained mantles that wrap around, just showing a bit more traditional style:

This one is actually similar to yours now, but so much better stained and without the surround:

Of course you could choose lighter stain colors, if wanted.

I have always had curved corner fireplaces and miss the wrap around mantle at my last house. I now have an Austin stone fireplace (I’m in Texas, too) with a mantle just in the front.

I also love large art over mantles — I have my beloved horse picture over every fireplace at every house.

What does the Overstock one look like?

Jilly I It does not wrap but I love this! Let me get a pic. We were in Driftwood, had limestone fireplace there....

Jilly, its too dark, but has some detail.

I like the style of that.

You could certainly try it, and return if the scale or anything is off.

It might also be worth having a local pro come give you ideas and an estimate for something custom.

We have had so much trouble with local contractors, but I might. I will also look into the wrap around mantle. Thanks!

arcy, you can tell the warmth of her room by this photo?

I see bright white trim, blinds and what looks lke a white/gray/soft blue wall. I see no tans or brown other than some wood.

the white isn't working because it's a huge montrosity against pinkish/brown brick. that doesn't mean white brick and a warm wood mantle wouldn't work. I show people all options so they have a clear choice of what's available to them. ( and whites come in many shades, along w/every other color)

I show the entire room in a second post: "What color to paint this builtin? just the back of shelves?". I'm having trouble logging in on this on my phone, where the pictures are. Not as savvy as you younger ladies, apparently!

what second post? can you post the picture here in comments?

I wouldn't paint the built in. You could paint the back panel a darker color.

if you did the brick in the same white, it would all match.

I'd prob change out the wall color to something a tad warmer. looks like an icy blue/gray color?

if you white washed it, you'd get a similar look to this.

I like this type of coffee table, or the ottoman below, (this art, it's hung too high, but it's better than your two small pieces) The floor lamp much better than your torchiere. The darker wall color looks very nice w/the leather.

just to show you some other options. leather sofa w/white brick, white walls. a bit more modern looking

warmer wall color w/some charcoal elements. this is really pretty

if you like the blues, try Swiss Coffee on the walls, bring in some blue/clay color elements like shown here.

this is a nice coffee table w/a layered jute and hide rug

Right now some of your furniture elements are extremely dated. maybe update a few things?

this art is way too small. you need a large piece behind the sofa, and it should be hung 4-6" above the back of the sofa.

if you want a gallery wall, then do it like this

showing you a single and double prints. also gave you a nice tufted ottoman in a soft gray color, some new pillows, diff table lamp and a tall green plant.

Remove the mantle and the trim. Whoever installed it must have been confused.

What I love about this photo is the top of hearth is slate.

the house had some quirky things, for sure. This room is not that big and this over powers it. We actually have 3 living areas, including a large sunroom. This den is open to the dining then into the living room, so the colors must be cohesive. I have Quitude in the living room and kitcen as they are connected with a 6' opening. the colors actually work very well. The leather furniture is Louis Shanks, 2008. We blended furniture from 2 houses after selling a Hill Country house.

Since some are looking at rest of room, any thoughts on art or family photos displayed above the windows? The ceiling is actually slope into the crown molding, but there is at least 2' of space.

did you see my comment addressing the art over the sofa? and other things?

start w/that.

no art over the windows

• Beth, yes I agree with larger artwork. I will start looking. These were from other house, hate to get rid of anything... Ok over the windows. lol. Every room has only 1 or 2 walls for art/photos. thanks why I need a mantle and the buildins.

Updated!! I used Urbane Bronze, same as exterior trim on the house. Loving it. Yes, a candle is missing, can't find it. Will take the candle holders off, maybe a big green plant?

nice color Laura.

what about a basket, maybe some firewood, a throw, and something like this for the mantle

nice piece of art (more vertical) would also look nice