I will probably get booed but mirrored on the back wall of the built ins would be a definite option for me. You have a great opportunity here with these built ins being a beautiful focal point of your room. Go to Home Goods if you have a store in your area and look at all the beautiful things. Less is more. Select a few objects that are interesting and some books....I would love to stage those for you!

the Bulit-in's are beautiful!!! I think part of the problem might possibly be the marble around the fireplace and your wall color is clashing. What about painting your walls a nice light brown undertone grey? Worldly Grey by sherwin williams would really look nice.

You could also paint the wall around the fireplace the same color as the built-ins to make it look as though the whole entire wall is a built-in. I think that might help it look a little more polished.

I agree the fireplace surround has to go!!! That is gonna be done soon! We just moved in and that is definitely on my list. We are gonna do a ledge stone fireplace and open fireplace for the gas logs.

Nice! You are fortunate to have such lovely built ins. I agree with you that the white against the ivoire walls is a bit subdued. And I am not a 'red' person, so that would not have worked for me either. I'm not a fan of the tv over the fireplace - two big black holes on that large wall. I'd love a beautiful pastel inside the built ins....bluish teal, apple-y green or soft greyish blue. What other colors are in your furniture and accents?

Anyone think a darker shade on the Ivoire color card? The furniture is dark brown leather with the french postale fabric pillows

Here are accent pillows

I agree that you need to paint the wall behind the tv white to match the built-ins...as for paint I like the idea of grey someone mentioned, you could use the light burlap colour of the pillows or you could go dark... All would work.

maybe loose the soft curve at the top and make it all more square. paint the back a nice gray like above to pick up on the marble, maybe it will make it more cohesive . i would do only two glass shelves and put few, large items in. not so many small. maybe take off the crown over the fire place.

I would paint the back wall of the bookcases the same color as the walls whatever color you choose. I personally like that look.

I think there are too many small items on shelves...maybe replace the glass with solid white shelving to make a bolder statement. The bottom of knick knacks are not very pretty and yours are showing.

Definitely take the brass off the fireplace and spray flat black. I also would like to the the backs of the cabinets matte black to add depth as well as matte black for the fireplace/TV 'jut out' but just up to the crown. It will hide the TV when not in use and sow better when it is in use. The built-ins are amazing. Any puck lights up there for mood lighting?

I wallpapered mine and love the look. Here are some ideas.

Are the shelves lighted? Nothing on them is actually large enough to be seen well and appreciated. If those are collectible items, they need to be moved to eye level, perhaps in a display coffee table or on a table top. Style the shelves with 1/3 books, 1/3 large decor items and 1/3 open space. If you try paint again, it should be in the accent color of your room, whatever that color is.

I think the problem is the yellow walls with the gray marble. Both are nice colors - just not together.

I had the same issue in my house. Repainted the walls Ben More Silver Gray.

love the built in and love the marble. HATE the glass shelves....so 80's.
I would get wood shelves, painted, paint the mantel black or turquoise or magenta, or bright green.
paint the room in a soft greige like balboa mist. Lovely. then find some wallpaper for the back of the shelves.

Agree with Jackie, the wall color is not complimenting the color of the built ins or the marble surround.

yep, that color is killling the marble.

I think you should change the door fronts out with better panels. I also think if you take out the glass shelves and replace with painted wood it would look tons better. I think 1 color for the entire wall would be ideal as well.