EDIT: I don't mean to plaster the entire wall with gallery photos. Maybe I'd treat the space above the fireplace like a traditional fireplace: couple things on the mantle, and a mirror or simple print above. On the 2 sides I'd do a small gallery grouping. But how would I "contain" those groupings so they don't look like they're floating and out of place?

i'm no expert, but i'd wait til the furniture is in and curtains are hung. dont drive yourself crazy (yet). when the furnture is placed, you'll have profiles of the sofa arms, or chair (s) or tables visually intruding on the wall and it'll "shape" the blank wall and give you a different perspective. i'm not one for red either...i'm a cool color kind of person. the marble fireplace surround sounds beautiful. if you can, hold off on accessorizing and post another pic when the furniture is in. the best thing about accessorizing is that normally you can always return stuff if you dont like it and buy and return until it's right for you.

I agree. Be patient and wait for the furniture and curtains to be in. You'll get a better feel for the space. That way, it'll save you the "what was I thinking?" syndrome, and you won't have to change it out sooner than later.

I do understand the agony of it all. I also know how anxious you must be moving into a new house, so it doesn't hurt to get some ideas floating around.

It's going to be a beautiful house.

That wall, and that fireplace are begging for stone all the way up to the ceiling. JMHO!!

We have no furniture, LOL! That's part of the agony! Hubby insists on getting rid of our couches, so it is literally a blank slate!

I was thinking the curtains would be last, to go with whatever I put in the room. Really, I should do it the other way around?

Is a sand cell shade too much "brown" for the room? (brownish walls, cream carpet). Would white bring a welcome contrast?

Have you considered built-ins on the fireplace wall? Either low ones that would match the height of the mantle, which would give you a long ledge the width of the room to accessorize and would pull some of the attention away from the fireplace, or two tall sections of built-ins, one on either side of the fireplace? You could still hang one thing over the fireplace, but the shelving and accessories would add interest to the wall.

anji, yes, you should do it the other way around. first get the furniture! once painting is done, carpet is laid, furniture is in (place), curtains are hung, THEN concentrate on the accessories. although, if you want to do the built ins, do that first (i guess). you'll see...the room will evolve as your going. sometimes, the paint itself seems to "furnish" a room. get the big (ger) ticket items first, like a sofa, and imo you should get a fairly neutral color for the sofa...there are "neutral" greens, blues, etc. out there. then get the curtains that you love. i really think if you get to that point, the room will "speak" to you and you'll have a direction to go. and if you don't, then post a pic. there are some talented people on this forum (unfortunately not me) that will help you out. good luck!

For a traditional look I suggest something like this that I drew up for our Gentleman's Parlor.
{{!gwi}}
Click on photo to see enlarged version.
I agree with others that it is best to get your furniture first and go from there.

Another vote for upholstered pieces and case goods first. They become the 'bones' of the room. WHat you hang on the walls are accessories. Will there be a mantel?

One cool way to contain a collection of photos is to have them all framed, and then hang a large empty frame around the grouping.

Do you have a picture of your marble fireplace surround ? how big is it ?