This is what I would do.
First, paint the wall a light grey color. Continue the color behind the shelves.
Second, fine a modern looking mantel (or a re purposed piece of wood)
Third, replace the shiny bronze fireplace door. Find a more modern one (maybe glass?)
Bring furniture closer to the fireplace.
Remove carpet from the room, install wood floors (or laminate) and install an area rug.
Good luck!
ileana

The brass fireplace screen should be replaced with maybe something black. It's hard to even look at this room, there's SO much stuff in it. The book shelves should be for books. If you're not going to store a library there, then rebuild to something with doors, so things are put away. I like the beams, and use the nook for logs, please, and take all that stuff off the hearth.

Totally agree with keeping the beams, painting the brick and shelving - update the fireplace surround! The gold needs to go! A large photograph or painting on the mantel would look great! Items of different height and size would help fill that space.

I even like the idea of making the built ins low, with wall above for artwork.

Thanks for all the suggestions. A little more info. 1. We are thinking a large TV above the fireplace. 2. This picture is from our appraisal and not our mess! 3. Keep the suggestions coming.

I looked at your idea books, and the FP pics you saved are all white, and more traditional. If this is the look you want paint beams and bookcases white, and install doors on bottom half of shelves for hidden storage. FP either whitewashing it or covering brick in a light coloured stone.

So the mess is not yours!! That's a nice start...Do you prefer contemporary, traditional or rustic?

Not ours at all. I would say contemporary.

The dark beams and the light lower the ceiling. Try potlights for this space. If the beams are fake (make sure they are not structural) and not good quality wood, remove them. I would also remove all the dark wood trim (or paint it white) , book cases and mantle. I like Chap De Laine's ideas for replacing the fireplace screen and the low book cases. It will give the impression of a higher ceiling. Once you have replaced the floor - go with lighter wood with pets - then assess whether you will paint the brick. I love the log nook, fill it with logs.

For contemporary remove the old mantle. Lower the bookcases to the height of the old mantle. Create one long 'shelf' from bookcase to bookcase with mantle in between. Replace the fireplace screen with something in nickel. Agree with painting the brick bookcase and mantle white. TV above fireplace works...place some art above the log cubby. Use the log cubby for wood. Put some colorful solid colored pillows on the hearth. Did you say you were laying a wood floor? If so make it light wood. Change the light fixture for a contemporary fan. There are some great ones out there. As for the beams they don't really add anything so take them or leave them but paint them the same as the ceiling. Consider painting the ceiling a funky color like dark purple kelly green or even black...

Is there another wall we are not seeing, where you could put media? Please, not another TV above a fireplace. Leave the fireplace be a fireplace. They are such a beautiful focal point. I think that trend is awful!

Remove the beams and the ceiling fan. Replace with pot lights. You can paint the brass on the firescreen with Rustoleum high heat black paint.

Let's see the other three walls of the room to see where else the TV can go. I agree with Chap: no TV over fireplace.