I tried uploading photos but I don't know where they went after they uploaded. I got it this time though.

I think I would remove that big picture on the wall, wall mount your tv around where the picture was, and get a smaller floating entertainment cabinet below the tv. I think your main problem is how close the entertainment center/tv and fireplace are to each other.

Do you live in FL?

And the fireplace would look less imposing if you paint the stone a light color. I would just leave the pipe, maybe paint it also. And update the grill (or whatever it's called, the gold part) of the fireplace.

At first I thought you should remove the stonework and possibly the whole fireplace, but the more I look at it the more I'm convinced that having that big entertainment stand and TV right next to it is the issue.

Here is a blog showing the before and after of painting a fireplace, and with process explained (the second photo on the blog is the after):

http://erin-artandgardens.blogspot.com/2013/02/painted-stone-fireplace-before-and-after.html

I don't think i would paint, people are never happy in the long run with that. I can think of some other purposes if you do not use the fireplace.

Can you send photos of entire room? Please.

Do you use the fireplace. It looks like it only has candles in it. When you put down your hardwood floors, you might want to consider removing it.