I think you just need a bigger mantle it seems really undersized.

Wall color to match built ins could look great!

I think the mantle is too small. I would remove it & add a really large canvas or round mirror & keep the look clean and simple. Perhaps a fresh coat of off white paint. Because you have some paintings to the left & some art work on the right, the mantel is looking a little too busy, your eye needs somewhere to rest. Good luck.

You seem to have a more refined taste and your fireplace is more rough and rustic...this is distracting from your tasteful collections and decor.......simplify by boxing the fireplace with Sheetrock and painting to match the walls...providing a better backdrop that won't compete or distract from your style...

It seems undersized. If putting a lager one isn't an option, maybe a make it look bigger by adding more wood trim on top to make it look bulkier and paint it a pretty white.

HI -- The wood on the mantel does not relate to any other wood in the room ... get a bigger mantel or take that one off or paint it black . The rug is too small and too busy to go with the other patterns on the furniture. There is almost too much going on in the room and too many little things and patterns everywhere . Maybe a richer wall color and also paint the bookcase the same as the wall color . Look for a bigger plain but textured carpet , then a new wall color .

Not sure what you want to spend, but a $150 mantle (appears a 4' will be correct size) from an home improvement store, painted out white like the other built-ins, would be appropriate. Or have one custom made.

Also a larger rug in a natural weave will help calm the space.

Lose mantle entirely. Add sheetrock surround to fireplace, then face with travertine to the ceiling. Do not care for draped table, plus you have way too much stuff on it. the niche at bookcase is small, so pictures on it should be symmetrical.

OLD POST...

The fireplace is gorgeous, I wouldn't change a thing except the mantle. I agree with the others that it's too small. I'd put a larger, reclaimed piece of wood in its place.

I had a similar situation with a brick instead of stone. I took out the dinky mantle planning to replace with something beefier, but once gone, realized how great it looked WITHOUT a mantle. Never put one in. If you really want one, the reclaimed wood someone suggested above, in a heftier size than your current one, would look nice.