HI -- I think you have the right idea . It is a little off balance and building it up with some molding and making it look like the picture would improve it . I think as it stands right now it is a little too boxy and the top is too flat and dark. Your place is beautiful now and fixing the fireplace with the molding will go well with everything you have .

I think it looks fine... IMO the problem is the TV. Can you put it somewhere else? A colourful large painting above the mantel with a couple of tasteful display items or your orchid would look great. Then soften the flanking benches and sofa with some pillows in compatible colours... The moulding around the fireplace that you have shown as an inspiration looks out of synch with the rest of your home, which is beautiful. Do you have other art that you are planning to hang in the rest of the rooms ?

i think what really makes the second fp look like an improvement is that the inside is lighter. right now you have what looks like 2 big black holes. one above the other.

This is the only place for the TV unfortunately so I need to work around it. I think the wall is lacking dimension so I need to either build it out a bit (6/8 inches directly above the fireplace- I'm trying to decide if I should make that area just painted drywall or run the matching white wood up the wall . Thanks

You'd be changing the vibe from contemporary to more traditional....

One thing I notice is the almost complete lack of color. The solid brown seats match the solid brown blinds. Rug completely fades into the floor. The lack of color or pattern are not helping with what you call the "boring" factor.

I like it just as is;)

I think it looks great as is for fitting in to that room. Doing what is in 2nd picture would definitely make it traditional which I don't think the rest of the home is. You said "boring and no character", basically that describes the whole home. Does anyone live there? It looks like a real estate ad model home. No life.

although i would not phrase it quite that way, perhaps if you could handle a little color it would help. color on the mantle and on the built ins left and right - pillows vases etc. Also, this morning I noticed that the mantle was even with the rest maybe you need it come out more. My final thought is that maybe the majority of your problem is the darkness of the wood etc. everything in your home is either white or beige, this being the exception. so to you, it looks wrong.

I think that it is fine as is IF you get a more colorful rug and some drapery panels. Remove the shades and add some softness with pretty fabric panels.

Thank you for the comments. I agree that the issue is too much brown in that area- it's fighting the look of the rest of the house. It limits what else I can do. I'm thinking that I may just start over with the fireplace and make it all one unit- stone or marble but contempoary. I'll get rid of the wood and the tile.

Marble would be stunning in your lovely room.

Without knowing your budget, I would say go a little more dramatic. If you could extend the fireplace all the way to the ceiling, this would give it a great/bold feel for the room. This would make a huge difference. I would also wrap the fireplace with tile or stacked stone all the way around and not frame it in wood. This will be a more modern feel.

Example:

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I would not replace the tile and wood. I think you are almost where it needs to be. Can you extend the tile to the edge of the surround face? I think that would make a huge difference. Or even consider wrapping the tile around the surround, though maybe that would be too much. Also, add seat cushions to the window seats and fabric panels to the windows.

Kevin- almost exactly as I am thinking. The house is in South Floria and very light and airy so I think I need to keep the materials light in color. The adjacent living room has white sofas white wall unit and buffet with navy accents. I have wood on chair backs in dining room? Dinette area and bar stools in kitchen. (Same color as the window seat and mantel wood ). Thanks!

This gives you a better idea of the house. Flooring is Travertine marble.

It looks nice, but too short. You could build up the mantle about a foot with white moulding, then top with the wood. Just having white between the tile and top will bring it right. The height of window seats will not work with a floor to ceiling fireplace; also with the windows on either side, it would be out of whack. You have a lovely home, very modern and clean. The white fireplace to the ceiling is very traditional and does not work with your style.

i am not sure of S FL reference, they are full of color, although light on fireplaces, not much need. all white is a very personal choice.

There are plenty of motorized art frame solutions being made to hide the TV these days with tons of art images to choose from. This will give your eye a place to rest when the TV is not in use. Plus, if you don't mind me saying so... you could really use a pair of candle or light sconces to flank the fireplace and pls add cushions to your window seats.... doing so will balance the room better and give warmth to the space. Good luck!

That's great - thank you very much!

You can also get a TV within a mirror, however I love Leanne Michael's suggestion the best.

You have a beautiful home. I agree with groveraxle, build up the fireplace, add cushions to window seats and bring in more color with a different rug and add some accessories.

i like the stone best because it detracts the most from the 2 giant holes. anything light is going to continue to give you the same impression. maybe you should just paint the wall dark blue or taupe or black, make it an accent wall allowing the fireplace and tv to fade back some.

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just a thought

This is an elegant home. Still voting for white marble. I love what groveraxle did especially building the marble to the ceiling. I looked at lots of online fireplace images with stone and marble and almost all of them were floor to ceiling. I think your white is stunning.

I think that the room is beautiful. Put something horizontal above the television . I used antique wood board that came from an old bed. Even wrought iron that is horizontal would look good too. Have fun going to antique malls and I am sure that you will find something that is interesting.

let me know if i can help more, in the meantime:

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