I am going to paint my walls a cream color.. not sure which yet.. but I have gas logs in the fireplace.. nothing has been done to it for a long time.. should I paint the oak mantle?? I am really wanting to!!

and what do I do about the inside of the fireplace?? hate that white whatever it is~~

I would definitely pull the wallpaper border off the top of the room and paint the room first in either your taupe or gray or whatever you like to match your wood floors since they are staying, right?. Personally, that's where I would start. That way, you can see beyond the red. My house was brown everywhere and I seriously could not make any decisions about any thing until I painted my walls and ceiling. Once I did that, I had a blank slate and could see the possibilities. Also, you need to post more pix of the whole room. :)

thanks .. Yes the border is coming down.. I will get the room painted and see where I can go from there.. I do like the grey color for the walls.. I will get more pics up.. thanks~~