Get rid of the long wall to wall ledge the #1 pic with the accent on the wall behind the fireplace looks good but it really depends on your style the 2nd one is a little more my style but I thought you did not want bookshelves. I actually like low cabinets and each side with some large art work hung above this will also keep the ceiling feeling hidher than if you put bookshelves there

Hi! First congrats on the upcoming arrival....how exciting! Great job on the room so far....and love the style and color of your sectional too! I'm no designer...just wanted to chime in with a few thoughts...

Love the idea of adding subtle designer paper (or an accent paint) at the fireplace wall....but not in the way I'm understanding you described. I think if you don't want to or can't bring the same gray brick all the way to the ceiling, just leave that alone vs. using the same gray paint above the mantle only.

Maybe wallpaper the entire wall (including above the mantle)....using a pretty grasscloth, for example? Then you could still add some floating shelves on each side?

And then, for above the fireplace, find a dynamic piece of art (appropriately-scaled/sized). That'll definitely help to enhance that focal wall and to bring the eye up. :-)

Ok so just re-read your post again....and now I'm reading "panel" vs. "paint". Sorry for mis-reading the first time. As far as paneling above the brick, I feel like that may start looking too busy with the 2 different gray materials. But being such a visual person, it's hard to imagine without seeing something illustrated first.

Have you seen any pictures that show a similar application? Perhaps one of the Houzzers here could create a rendering for us to better visualize?

Btw, would you be open to the idea of removing the brick, mantle and shelf.....then use the paneling for the fireplace surround + up to the ceiling....like shown in the 2 pics you posted?

Ok, so I like grey too, and don't care how many others also like it.

if you want to add storage and don't want bookshelves, consider going asymmetric, clearly not what everybody else does. Low closed storage, especially when you will have baby toys to put away. Low shelving would probably not be the best choice with a toddler, however. Definitely remove the long horizontal board. If the tv is to stay, some sort of graphic wallpaper on the entire wall could obviate the need for artwork. Keep it simple and have fun.

[Did I mention I'm a kitchen designer? Details are my bread & butter].

@Margo- everyone copied ME. I did gray first. haha My whole house is done in versions of gray. I love it and it's soothing to me. Besides painting is easy & the cheapest thing to do if and when I need to redo it. ;) I'm hesitant about more permanent fixtures that cost a lot, and will be there a long time.

@Patricia- I KNOW! I don't want book shelves, but saw something like that and thought that may not be bad. Especially if I can get the stupid cable box out from under the TV (where it is now. I hate that. I'm contimplating DirectTV just so I don't have the box & wires anymore lol). I did think about furniture pieces with art. I just wasn't sure with art hanging next to the TV. Probably would need long rectangular pieces. I'll have to look up some ideas like that.

@Avery- I'm definitely not removing the brick. But might be up for the idea of doing the same thing surrounding the fireplace. I just didn't want to miss out on any functional storage/design space by doing so.

@Flopsycat- good call about storage for baby stuff... This is our first, so I didn't even think about that for this room. Thank you.

Kar- may I call you Kar? I do know what it is like to be such a trend setter. I do believe I am the driving force for the Leg Lamp to gain rise in such popularity. It almost doesn't seem fair right?

No, you did not mention you are a kitchen designer. May I ask what your backsplash is/will be if you have one or plan to put one in?

Oh...and one other thing, believe me, learned from experience. If you choose to hang wallpaper, don't store toddlers' crayons and markers in the same room. The resulting aesthetic is likely to clash with your intended design scheme.

I too like the wallpaper idea. A couple of consoles on each side of FP or chests

Love Susan's rendering!

Go with planking it in that dark gray. We planked the wall above our fireplace in BM's Kendall Charcoal gray and it looks awesome. (excuse my poor photo skills). Then maybe you could take out the ledges or put shelving under them?

@Marbella, that looks great! Thank you for sharing. That helps me picture it better.

Happy I could help! :-)