Do u want suggestions on remodel or minor changes?

Yes, there are so many options. But it looks like you need either built-ins n the sides or to at least buy some bookcases to house some of the electronics. Then you will be able to center the tv. If you do some sort of built in you could then paint the entire brick and mantle white to match the built-ins and then add some sort of architectural detailing above the mantle that will sit behind the tv. It wont take too much to really make this look like an entire wall unit.

Can I use floating shelves on either side?

Because I have plantation shutters in the way

I think the fire place is the best thing about that view. I would paint the walls a neutral, restain the mantel to be a black or darker wood. I would remove all the TV cablecrapola, by getting a side table or doing some built ins and running the cords through the wall. At the very least condense the cords to one side and add a plastic cover and paint that to match your walls. I would center the TV and wall mount it, so you don't see any silver. Remove all the little kitschy stuff from the mantel. Paint or replace the dated fireplace cover.

Yes...I would also consider removing some of the items flanking FP & starting anew.

Have you checked into getting an outlet behind the TV? If it isn't feasible because of the fireplace, look into having the wall framed out above the fireplace to protrude a few inches. You are basically creating a new false chimney with drywall, all the way to the ceiling (just width of the fireplace, not width of the mantle). Then just paint it. (if you look at pics of fireplaces in other homes you'll see what i mean). That creates both a nice architectural feature that looks like it came with the house, and allows you to run wires behind the TV.

No matter what you do to this fireplace, having all those wires hanging down will aesthetically sabotage your efforts. Look into an infared eye system so you can put those components somewhere else.

only a thought do you have to have the TV on the wall maybe a nice vintage style mirror or some art work them some bigger things on your mantle as the scale is wrong maybe paint the brick or bleach it but keep the wood as is

What's on the other walls? You can't just re-do the fireplace without seeing what your options within the room are. Can we get pictures of the 3 other walls, please?

It looks like you have a good basis for a great looking space with nice flooring, fabulous plantation shutters and I really like the color of your walls. You're correct to feel your mantel is in need of a "life style lift" !!!!

houzzers, this is tied to the dining room dilema posted earlier.

Here is the whole room

Center the tv for a start!

Nice room maybe add more art above the sofa. Or just one large oblong picture you have your nice big clock so think you need more art to reflect that taste but you are doing so well so far maybe move your nice lamp over to where you have the vase with your flower in it thats by the sofa as think the scale is to wrong with it where it is. But put the lamp on a small side table if you have one then maybe paint the table legs on it same as you dining table you have the bones of a nice room like others have said it just needs tweaking

You have a nice fireplace I would try to place focus on it. The TV and shelving maybe distracting attention away from it. I would start from scratch by removing everything on the mantel, TV, wiring and everything in the corners. Place a nice
Mirror above the mantel with 3 candles of different sizes, family pics on another side.

Place sofa set in 'L' shape either towards window or opposite side where dining table is IF empty wall there. Put a rug in center. The TV can either go on a low TV unit in center of room as divider between sitting and dining area or on another empty wall opposite side ( can't see the wall) Dinning table can be moved back a little and console table could be placed behind sofa with two lamps on either side and pile of books or vase underneath. I have added sample ideas below from Houzz:

http://houzz.com/photos/990164
You could do something like this and put either floating wall shelves or shallow built in's on either side. A built in with a lower cupboard door would allow you to hide the electronics. You could also paint the brick, however it is quite a nice brick and adds a lot of character to the room. You have a very cute home... Congratulations on it!

Thank you for the extra pics. Please move the picture above the sofa down so that the bottom of the canvas is 5 to 6 " above the back of the sofa. So, in your case, about 2 inches above the chair rail. Yes, that is the correct placement and it needs to be centered left to right above the sofa not centered on the wall.

Now move the lamp near the fireplace to the corner of the sofa next to the window. I can't tell if it's a floor lamp or a lamp on a table but move it in either case.

I would really like to see your TV in a cabinet or on top of those cubes. Move everything else off the mantel and unmount the dvd and move it to a place so it won't be so prominent -- it's not decorative. The two bonsai trees can go on the shelf near the window.

Paint the fireplace, bricks and mantel, in creamy whites ... a much better fit for the country / cottage style your interior architecture, current paint choices and decor items suggest.

This area seems way too busy, fireplace is not where my eye is drawn to. It's the off centered super high TV and stuff...

Making over the fireplace can only work if you also look at what is surrounding the fireplace. The lamp to the left of the fireplace with the vintage screen around it is taking away from the fireplace and serves no purpose. To the right of the fireplace you have stackable fabric cubes that don't compliment the fireplace, or work with what is on the left side. I think you should start fresh, remove everything away from the fireplace and take a fresh look at. Sometimes less is more.

TV cabinets!

nice TV cabinets think your TV would look nice on one of them once again you are getting lots of suggestions
can not wait to see pictures of the finished room with what you are doing so far you will soon be on here helping others with room dilemmas

original artwork is always preferred over prints

@pearlmelba, regarding the "original artwork" comment. Unless you are an art collector investing in art you believe will increase in value... eventually... a piece of art you put on your wall, for your enjoyment, can greatly improve your interior and bring interest and life to your home, regardless of the medium. In fact, an art poster or print you enjoy looking at will do just that... Raisa

I agree, Raisa, I like to combine art posters and original artwork, by totally unknown, sometimes not very good' ( in the eyes of the purist !) amateur artists, that I find at flea markets and thrift stores. With the original stuff, as with the poster art, it's more about how the art makes me 'feel' than about its monetary value. I particularly like wondering about what motivated the artist with his/her choice of subject or colours and .. in the case of thrift store finds, why the donor of the piece didn't appreciate the beauty of it !

Put the tv in a nice pop up cabinet ?!

@its a Beautiful world no not a dealer or collector just like beautiful things brought from charity shops car boots love to give things a second chance and at the same time giving to a good course if something cost me just a £1.00 i would love it as if it cost £1,000 things i buy are not brought to increase in value the only thing that increases is my love for the piece i have brought or the pictures my grand children have painted

@pearlmelba, just checked out your profile to see who had 'liked' my comment .... am still laughing at the idea of your 'Next Project' ! :-)

oh thanks for looking but i can tell you who is not laughing that is the husband glad it made you laugh life is to short so is the husband

@pearlmelba, I am giggling out loud at that last post!

my dilemma advice may be rubbish but some comments are worth giggling about

Lindsey Brower Cmt guys dont you all think that she has done well can not wait to see how her room evolves with the help of HOZZERS

Would love to see pictures of updates so far....

Before and after
I think I need more rocks in the bottom

The whole

I have not read all the posts but...

couid you remove those vases flanking the fireplace to give an updated, cleaner look. Put the focus on the fireplace rather than dmdustracting the eye with extra stuff. Can you lower and center the TV? Put the cable boxes in the cabinet? Remove the lamp in n front of the window. A few GREAT accessories are always better than several small and pointless ones. Lower the art over your sofa 4-6 inches. It should be closer to your sofa/chair rail than to the ceiling. Same with your dining room clock.

The cabinets flanking your fireplace look great!! Progress.

Does the second white cabinet need to be placed at an angle?