First of all you need to take them birds off the wall. Thats awful. Im sorry decorators all will tell you animal karkas's do not need to hang in your living room if you are going for style and sophistication. Now if you want the birds to stay then its over for you. Dont change anything because for me the birds kill any look you are trying to go for. Plus tv is to small. You need like a 50" or 60" inch over that mantle. Only because the fireplace is very large.Lamps can go too. The new tv will add all the light you need. And all the cushions gotta go too. I might put that clock where you have the tv, just to do something different. If it doesnt look right put it close to your entry way door So, you always know what time it is when you leave and when you go.

I know this isn't a mantle issue but perhaps also find something more organic looking to house your AV equipment by the TV? You've got such great materials and textures going and those just don't seem to mix IMO.

Re the mantle, I'd also lose the lamps and metal item. I like the frame though without anything in it. Maybe move the frame to the right and a cluster of something tall and 'chunky' on the left - rustic pottery or interesting candles?

I would also add a really decorative fireplace screen with the matching gold tools to your fireplace. I would also take the black iron decorative piece on top- I would mount it to the fireplace right under the lip of shelf. It will really look good.

First remove everything over the mantle and the cushions on the hearth. Purchase a black stand alone fireplace screen and black tools. Something like this http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Fireplace-Accessories/Black-Finish_2/Black-Fireplace-Screen-with-Doors-Medium. This will offset the black TV set when it is not on. Find a black shelf/box piece for under the TV to hold components. Now you would have some balance. Next a large minimum of 36-40" dia. round mirror with black frame center over the TV area. To the left of the mirror hang horizontally 3 long items. Maybe gigantic black iron keys or a triptych painting (3 pieces) but ones that would each be long and narrow. On the mantle centered I would place a green plant, maybe 1-1/2'-2' tall, along with a nice size decorative box and another piece grouped together. The eye would be more pleased with fewer, but large items than a hodgepodge of small items.

There is no real focal point to the fireplace. Take a step back and envision a clean slate to create the new look of the fireplace. The earlier idea of a larger TV centered over the mantel makes a lot of sense. If the current TV is hiding a wood box, you can make that box a component box for the TV and add dark glass doors. I also think the mantel divides the fireplace wall and you might reconsider if you want a mantel that large on the wall.

Another idea is to remove the mantel and run the stone up the entire wall. Creating a real focal point. Then the TV is remounted and centered on the wall so it is balanced with the firebox and possible component box.

We manufacture our stone veneer and help customers update their fireplaces all the time. Attached are three pictures of finished projects where we had a similar situation. Feel free to look at our website for more ideas. www.northstarstone.biz

DEAD THREAD - Jan 2013 - poster never replied