Can you post a photo without the chairs in front. I can't tell if there is an optical illusion or what is going on, but it looks like your fireplace opening is perhaps 2 feet high? And as a result, this looks awful

are you on a phone cause everything looks awful on my phone too - i can try another picture when i'm home this evening - it's tough to photo with it being two story

Can you post a picture of the painted woodwork in the other rooms? What style is the rest of the house?

What I see here is an attempt at Craftsman. But, it matches the entry door frame. Confusing...

The fireplace seems out of scale ie too short. I agree with the above solution-the white rock renovation above would look great in your room. All white, however. Elegant.

The scale of the room makes the fireplace box look small. Here are two different treatments that could be done. Notice in the second that the drapes are only on the lower windows and help to ground the room more. You need to make sure you keep whatever you do to scale in this room.

In the first you would remove the built-ins and create these lighter niches with light and artwork.

This is a more transitional look and is one of my favorite fireplaces. Would remove the built-ins and widen the treatment around the fireplace and go to ceiling. Use artwork on either side of fireplace or even some floating shelving.

The very large picture frame above the mantel MUST COME DOWN. It is so out of proportion to the rest of the room and especially the fireplace. You also need to paint the room, the yellow on the walls is not helping. That said, you get an idea of how it might look - and yes I did it as an English library. You didn't specify your style. A soft green would be lovely in this room.

First thing I'd do is remove that frame above the fireplace asap. Depending upon your style, either paint the remaining woodwork or leave as is.

Paint the trim white and install mirrored plate glass in the frame. Could use mirror with vintage appear to create a mood.

I'd take down the framing above the fireplace. Then, I'd decide if I want a tv in this room (because it should go above the mantel) or a large piece of definitive art. The shelves can be filled with a combination of books and bric-a-brac. And, I would definitely GO BLUE!!!!

Frankly, I'd enlist an arch, have a greatly detailed plan done to simply and beautifully coffer the ceiling......bounce some options around for the wall. Worth EVERY SINGLE penny. This is a classic example of very poorly thought out Mc Mansion proportion and ill
conceived ceiling height. The room isn't nearly large enough in breadth to justify
the elevation.......making all within look like miniatures in an over sized doll house.

Plan first, re do later, don't start slapping lip stick on it. It needs a LOT more thought and planning than that, a redo or rip of mantel and built ins , and ALL including trim should blend with all the house we can not even see here. It needs far more consideration.

That is the best solution, and the quickest to a GOOD result from a bad start. : )

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions so far I will try and provide more picture or answers tomorrow but appreciate everyone's input so far

Jan the coffered ceiling is a great idea to bring the ceiling down. Just finished a complete renovation of my house with its 8.5 foot ceilings (taking the cabinets all the way to the ceiling) and adding crown molding, lighting etc. I use to hate the "low" ceilings but now they are just right and i think it is because everything is in scale. Why? I hired professionals to do a comprehensive plan that took a year in the design phase. Worth every single cent of time and tears over the decisions. Its funny how low ceiling now seem perfectly balanced and within the scale of the entire house. I was fortunate, mine is not a McMansion - architect planned from the 1970's but I can see the beginnings of the McMansion era in it. No complex roof (mine is hip), no front facing garage doors & no large window over the front door. All my windows are uniform and within the style of the house, but I do have a 2 story entry which is a complete waste of space and I have an elongated garage. The homes in this burb are all set on 2+ acre lots - land use we will likely never see again - but I love not having my neighbors breathing down my side window.

I agree to removing the frame and painting the rest. Disagree strongly about putting TV over fireplace, as art would look much better, and you have a nice wall to the left for your TV...

Throw those yucky Michigan chairs in the fireplace ;)

Go Bucks!

I would remove the mirror, paint the bookcases/mantle white and add molding, incorporating the bookcases with an appropriate design. You could duplicate the size/shape of the windows for consistency and harmony in the room. I would have a professional provide recommendations and sketches to make sure you get it right. Good luck.

Remove the frame above the fireplace and paint everything.
Oh and get rid of those HIDEOUS chairs !
Something like this would look much much better. ;)

typeandrun, that chair is fantastic!

And back on topic.
The tall frame definitely needs to go.

Here's a room with trim like yours. Looks nice painted white & with the mirror insert.

I would also remove the center framing above the fireplace and fireplace surround and go stone to the ceiling. Do the windows need the window treatments, they are so heavy and dark, I would lightlen them and change the fan to a large chandelier that is in the style you are most in love with let it help balance the upper half of the room. Depending on your style and that new light fixture I would then lastly decide if you want to paint the bookcases, the rest of the room trim needs to all match- be it all newly painted a new color or to match the rest of the home, white.

This room might do well with art over the mantel and painting all the built ins and trim white. Here are some visuals, of our design projects, to help you with your dilemma.

Thank you for everyone's input! We took a few ideas and had this done over the start of the week

no more being overwhelmed by wood! Now to decide on what goes above the fireplace...