Hi Nancy, My house is a ranch/tract house from the 1960's. The dark cherry is a logical option...it was what I thought of first, as it's consistent with the other furniture.. I mocked it out. It was very dark. It shaded the FP tiles so that they didn't "pop" nearly as much. It made the fireplace less of the focal point and more "blended in" with everything else. I remember I didn't like how dark it looked on that wall, but I can mock it out again. BTW: the panels will be solid and hide the openings...not like your mock up where the inside storage areas are still open. So, it would be even a bigger, more soiid mass of dark color than you depicted.

Other ideas I've had are faux plaster (tadelakt) or metallic gold or metallic lime green. Something that would make that wall lighter/brighter. I'm trying to strike the right balance so that I don't turn my room into a cave.

I think the white is fine for the mantel and surround, or you could paint it all the color of your interesting window coverings, or the same color as the wall. All of those will keep the focus on the tile.

I do think you have too many little things on the mantel, they are too symmetrical and spread out, and that your TV cabinet is way too small.

Thanks for the mock up, groveraxle. How do you do that? I'd like to try the same mock up in dark brown. The window treatments are painted the same color as the wall. Someone else also mentioned the mantel items are too symmetrical. Guess I should put some thought into what to put on top of the mantel. There's only enough room for knick knacks that are 7" in diameter or less. Ideas?

Wayfair has 3332 objects less than 7" deep and more than 12" tall including this funky herd of giraffes: http://www.wayfair.com/filters/Decorative-Objects-l1191-c215465-P87752~12~37349-P87754~0~7.html?itemsperpage=96http://www.wayfair.com/filters/Decorative-Objects-l1191-c215465-P87752~12~37349-P87754~0~7.html?itemsperpage=96

Go for a color that compliment your design.