My brother did this to his home. I know your styles are much different but you can get idea from this photo.

Here is a link that might be useful: [high ceilings[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/devine-ranch-and-residence-rustic-living-room-dc-metro-phvw-vp~41676)

Yes, I like that! I was actually thinking of doing something similar, but struggled with how high to place the wood. Unfortunately, my FP doesn't have a raised hearth like in your pic and my LR is sunken. So if I put a strip of molding horizontally around the room, it seems like it would either be too high up on the brick (with a large expanse of brick between the firebox and the "mantel"), or if I put it at normal mantel height, it would seem very low in relation to the adjoining (non-sunken) area, and there would be a huge expanse of brick above.
Grrr.

The brick seems to be what's known as antique brick and doesn't really work with contemporary style IMO so I wonder if you are you committed to the brick? If not I'd advise installing a hefty wood mantel then either painting the brick above the mantel (least expensive option) or covering it with drywall. Either way paint to match the walls. The smaller amount of brick will be better with contemporary style or you could reface with contemporary tile.

Is there a railing around the open part?

Could you post more pictures?

Any horizontal element would be best if it tied in in a consistent manner with other horizontal elements, in the room.

That said, I might just try to embrace the verticality for what it is and put something big and striking on the fireplace.

If it were mine, I'd consider painting the brick and adding a thick mantel that runs past the brick and to the wall on the right side. That would create a little nook in that small space to the right of the FP (where the little table is). You could add shelves there, but I'd just stack whole logs for a very cool look. I couldn't find an example picture of what I mean, but If you search for "stacked logs fireplace" on Houzz you'll see some contemporary interiors with fireplaces and stacked log nooks.

I really don't want to paint the brick,or cover it with tile or sheetrock. I actually like the brick - it has a warm cozy feel to it and it seems to balance the wide open stark feel of the room. Not to mention that DH would never go for something so drastic. My style leans more to the traditional style than contemporary, so I think it will fit.

Here are more pics of the room.

Trying to figure out what to do with the wall to the left of the FP too. The wall to the right of the FP that soars to the upstairs hall is really the only major wall. I had a sofa there, but now thinking about 2 club chairs since the space is not very large.

I really need help with this and appreciate your input! There are so many creative people here I'm hoping you can help me find a solution to this design dilemma...

You have so many strong verticals in the room - fireplace, window, post in the corner -- that you need some strong horizontals for balance. A hefty mantle will help, as well as a patterned rug to bring your eyes down.

I like the brick too. It looks like you are using different colors on opposing walls. It looks great. Perhaps you could run the upstairs green onto the tall wall in the living room as far down as the top of the handrail upstairs and then paint another color below it (about 3 feet high to meet the bottom of the railing upstairs) and then another color below that and try to continue this band onto the fireplace wall.
Basically you would have a horizontal band running across the tall wall and then onto the fireplace wall. That would help break up the tall wall and tie the room together.

I don't know that I would do a fixed horizontal moulding around the perimeter in this case though, because it may emphasize all the various angles and variations in the shape of the room. There is not a good spot to put a perimeter moulding because of what happens to the ceiling as it goes into the other room (the sliver of wall) and the various intersecting wall and ceiling planes around the room

I would introduce horizontals in furnishings and decor rather than architecture. Too much of a horizontal will tend to cut the room off at the knees, I think.

I would also choose a single wall color.

Scale is critical in a room like this.

Add a hefty mantel for sure.

The easiest way to bring a ceiling down is to paint it a darker color.

The other thing you can do is run some faux (because they're lighter) or real (if you want to spend the money) beams from either side of the fireplace across the room to the stairwell wall. They did this on a designed to sell and it made a tremendous difference in the look and feel of the room.

If you don't want to change brick, add beams, etc...I say paint all walls and ceiling the same color...then it all just blends with no visual lines to delineate the space. You could try painting the ceiling a darker color but in this case I don't think it will work with all the sloping angles. As others suggested, a beefy mantle with maybe a picture over it will draw your eye to that level and the rest will "disappear."

I really like the brick also and all of the wood that you have in the room. I think you need to add a mantel and surround box with nice molding. I would scour the images for design ideas for those. I would also add a large piece of art over your brick to break it up. You could add a horizontal element to the room by putting a wide cabinet of some sort next to the fireplace. It could be a special piece or built-ins, depending on your needs. I like your idea of a couple of club chairs with a table between them, and I would put them in front of your pretty window. It looks like a beautiful home and I think the fireplace is magnificent. I wouldn't cover it all up with sheet rock or paint.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and ideas!

I wish I could do the paint as Karenseb shows in her diagram, but a strip that connects to the upper railing as shown would not line up with the place where the ceiling meets the wall near the window. And if it doesn't line up I agree with palimpsest that it would make all the angles in the room seem overwhelming.

Annies suggestion to use beams running from the fireplace wall to the stairwell wall is also interesting, but unless I misunderstood, I think we would be bumping our head on the beams when we went up or down the stairs. Maybe you need even more height than we have???

Joanie - your idea to build a surround on the lower section might make the tall expanse of brick less overwhelming! Not sure if DH will go for that, but I will give it some serious thought, Wish I had photoshop to help me visualize.

The feedback seems to be mixed on the variation in paint colors. I was definitely planning to re-paint in more neutral colors but maybe keep the variation by using different shades of the same color. I think it helps break up the wide open space and makes it seem more intimate.

I agree with joanie that a wide cabinet would look good next to the fireplace, and was thinking about some tall glass front bookcases. If I use chairs instead of a sofa, it will seem more like a library than a "never used" living area.

BTW, my plan was to go with very neutral colors in the room. I already ordered a Sisal rug in linen from Pottery Barn. Do you think the neutral scheme will work in my space? I figured the architectural elements of the room didn't need any competition and the neutral color will tone them down a bit.

I like the idea of embracing the verticals. You have that beautiful window and the dramatic height and angles that need to work together. Perhaps if you soften them a bit to get them to blend together, that would be better than chopping it into pieces.

Once you get something on the fireplace, it will break up the strong vertical line, as you can see in the mock-up. So tread lightly there. I think too if you paint the ceiling the same color as the walls, it will do a lot to unify the room & bring down the height a little without destroying the interesting angles and lofty feel. Natural shadows will take care of keeping the different planes visible without having to resort to different shades, and will be a less ham-handed look.

Keep in mind that your lighting at night will also emphasize or mask certain parts of the room.

On the whole, it's a great space! I love the brick. And a sisal rug will do a lot to bounce light around and soften the room.

Thank you awm! That really seems to improve the look of the FP. I think I will play around with some designs for a mantel and keep my eyes open for a large decorative mirror like the one in your pic. Love it!!!

Why, thank you! I think your house is so cool -- all those wonderful spaces and vistas. A kid could have a lot of fun growing up in a house like that.

Take a look at this room, notice the light tones like you mentioned and how well they handled it.

Here is a link that might be useful: [idea[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/warmington-north-rustic-living-room-seattle-phvw-vp~98759)

Notice the drapes have a horizontal and that mirror, enlarge the page, it's fabulous.

Here is a link that might be useful: [another idea[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/alpharetta-ga-residence-traditional-living-room-atlanta-phvw-vp~1809730)

My kids are off to college now, but I remember all the kids had a blast using the walkway along the step down as a "stage" and putting on shows for each other. Ah, the memories. I could never think about light neutral colors for that room before, but I can now. :-).

Thank you for the pic yaya - it was not in my ideabook, but it is now. That's exactly the look/feel I am going for.

Here is a picture of a mantel that will give you an idea of the heftiness of a mantel for your fireplace, but not necessarily the style of mantel. You will note that this fireplace also does not have a raised hearth either.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace Mantel

This post was edited by walnutcreek on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 18:04

Wow - the mantel posted by walnutcreek is very hefty! I just don't know if something that large would work in the space - the scale just seems like it would have to be in a rustic style.
And the rest of the furniture in my room will not be large scale - by necessity since the actual floor space is limited.

I will search Houzz for more inspiration!

LOL. Just found this one on Houzz that beats the vertical lines of my fireplace!

[Contemporary Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Johns Island Architects & Designers Christopher A Rose AIA, ASID

But then, the room pictured is a lot larger than my space as well.....

Here's a hefty mantel on a full height fireplace that is less rustic. I like how it wraps the stone.

[Traditional Family Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by Bellevue General Contractors John F Buchan Homes

Notice how in each of the houzz photos that they make use of one very tall houseplant to scale the room down. I love your room.

Wow. I don't know why you would want to change anything about that fire place. I love it just as is. I think it is spectacular and the changes mentioned, although thoughtful, will just make it look run of the mill or like it is trying to be something it is not.

I'm with palimpsest, just make sure the furnishings balance the room as a whole.