You weren't kidding about the window wall. How nice. Consider having a frame built arount the TV to match the trim on the fireplace. There's not a whole lot else you can do. Adding anything to the mantel is just going to throw it off in my opinion. I'm not a big fan of curtains and you already have blinds. You need to add a few touches that can warm up your space. You have a great opportunity to add some ficus trees or palms to fill in. Also, some end tables with colorful lamps and something really prominent on the coffee table --big books or a wooden bowl of artichokes or lemons for a splash of color. For the table...

Don't put the pouf on the table! it's a stool

Two gold decorative candle scones measured at the length of mantel on sides of TV, and gold pillows should do it.

I like the drapery idea. Add two objects at varying heights and shapes on the left of TV and one co-ordinate item on the right of TV.

I also have a shelf feathure in the room and have not had to figure out what to do with one of these before. I do think large items are better but it is a LONG shelf/ledge and want to proportion correctly. Ideas? Ficus/palm in the corner behind sofa?

Or place a tall plant where chair is against wall?

Thanks LB. I think it is very blank without something on mantel. Maybe a couple of slender candle holders in varying heights with tapers on left side and silk orchid opposite. If I keep it slender and tall would that be minimal enough?

whoops, the shelf didn't show up in the picture. I had to crop it.

I think that will be enough on the mantle.

I think I'd like the tall plant on the left of the wall sculptures, if there is no other wall for them. If you can switch out, I'd place 3 paintings or two large or one very large art on that wall. Is there room for a shallow buffet table or long wall shelf on that wall?

A pot with a little trailing ivy plant and some small books

I would add some punch of color in draperies or shades. Maybe even sconces on each side of the tv. I would soften the hard lines of the mantel with a good piece of ivy. KK

Yes, I agree, maybe spots of contrasting color as 'kathykrueger' states. if you want something other than the somewhat monochromatic look that you have currently.

When the attention is to be put on objects on the fireplace breast, items on the mantel should be kept low, and of similar materials. Sconces will accentuate that the fireplace is not centered, and I would not personally recommend it.

Is the FP centered between the windows? I assumed that it was, but if it's not, then definitely would add drapery panels to make it appear so. I love the 3 metal wall hangings! If they are opposite the FP/TV I would move them and hand something there with a lot more visual weight (1 lg piece or 3 more substantial pieces). I'll search for pix of shelf features. What are your interests within the family? Antiques? Sports?

'debsdennis' Is the fireplace centered or not centered on the wall?

Meant to say, I like it when the TV is included in the FP mantle rather than just floating above it. Consider using the same material as your new surround & extending it up to the ceiling with some molding similar to the mantle. It makes a much more cohesive wall, IMHO. You can find lots of examples on Houzz.

The metal wall pieces look totally lost on that wall. They're way too small for that space. It looks like you're just trying to fill space. Try them on the small wall next to the sliding glass door. You'll need to place the large one above and the two small ones below the light switch. You could also try them on the shelf above where they are now.
Why is your TV not centered above the fireplace?

I am not a fan of a tv above a fireplace most of the time I think they are what to high.

The angle of the photo is probably confusing. The fireplace is centered between the windows and on the wall. The sofa is at right angle to that wall on one side of the fireplace facing two chairs opposite. There is enough room to comfortably walk in front of the metal pictures but not enough room for a narrow table on that wall or really even for a plant. I know I need some weight at the bottom but not sure how to accomplish that. The pictures are centered opposite the fireplace between the sofa and chairs. This is the only configuration I could come up with due to the narrow space and the wall opposite the fireplace opening ending where it does (at the edge of the photo with the metal pictures). Would it look weird with something on the other end of the wall? That would be just across from the entry and there is more room to walk on that end. Pattiegoode, We like to travel. I have seen suitcases I like and maybe a globe but not sure how to layout.

Is the TV centered above the fireplace? It looks like it's not.

Ok, travel is always fun to incorporate! lol But for that high shelf, consider turning it into a light fixture with either lights shining up to the ceiling from the shelf or lights shining down on the wall from the bottom. I couldn't find one exactly like yours, though.




Also, have you thought about painting the edge of the shelf & above it a different color? My instinct is that you will like that much better than a display space for collected objects (they would have to be dusted at least every 5 years of so! lol).

Maybe carolines will comment. She's good at finding inspiration pix!

Forgot to post this one of the kind of FP/ TV I was talking about for your wall:

I have two of those huge dry walled shelves in my great room. I had just moved in the house and was hauling a lot of accessories that I was going to get rid of so I figured I would try them on the shelves. I've been meaning to replace some of the items but not sure what to get. My shelves have electric so I added sconces which look great at night. The problem is there is not much height so you can only stagger items so much. I love your idea of travel a small trunk, some plants or vines, the globe, maybe a shiny mirror (mix it up). My shelves need tweaking and I am not sure how to make them just right. I keep thinking about painting the front of the shelf with a muted stencil of some kind. I'll post mine so you can an idea of how they look decorated.

Great room shelves

I like 'pattiegoode' idea to paint the shelf space above for contrast, however it doesn't end at the edge of another wall. Darn

'debsdennis' If I'm understanding you, the art wall most likely needs to be treated as the entire wall, not trying to balance the decor to suit the opposite wall. Treat the wall as one large space and balance only those things.

I think that centering it on the whole wall will make a difference. Easy enough to fix. I'll try lighting my shelf with a light from below. Thanks for all your good ideas. I'll repost when I have made some changes.

After all of the great stuggestions above, you can also create the look of a fine art painting hung on that wall.

http://www.visionartgalleries.com

I like your idea of using candle holders, but not on the mantel. Maybe place a wall hanging type on the sides of the TV. And I like your idea of window treatments, but keep it minimal as in only dress the tops.
Candle holders are from Pottery barn and window treatment idea from Smith and Noble.

Pattigoode's idea for the mantel is the best. Dark paint takes away from the look of the TV which is a good thing. The TV isn't really decorative so trying to accessorize it falls short.

Another idea for your fireplace would be to build a chunky frame around the TV (using some molding from a home improvement store) so it looks more like a piece of art. You could stain it to match your lovely fireplace.

Add panels to each window. A print or stripe like pillows. That would help that wall. Keep mantel uncluttered. With TV there just tall candlesticks. Mix up color and size 3 is good. A tall silk palm by window would fill space. Some books and a tray on coffee table. You need color..

Is that area rug? A brighter one would be cool. 6 x 9 or 8 x10 don't be afraid of color. If you put panels in stripe take colors from that to use in rug.

Move sofas in about 6" each toward coffee table. If you. Look at back of sofa . Add a sofa table. Narrow. Put tall candleholders, and low silk plants. Always cover back of things you can see..

Yr rm is big.2 armless chairs in color. Facing TV. You have the space.

I would also hang same panels on window behind sofa.makes it look finished.

Where dining. Chair is by window put tall plant. Don't put anything on long shelve those circle art is to small for big wall remove. Replace with much larger art piece.

Add area rug under table. Replace chairs with fabric ones. Or in tall. Back leather In color like teal. Big wingback fabric chairs on each end would fill in space . You have very high ceilings go with. Tall furn.

Don't do anything with shelve. It isn't meant to hold anything. Just forget its there.

If your not going to do anything with that shelf I would get rid of it. When mine were empty they really looked odd just sticking out from the wall. If they wrapped all the way around you could leave them empty. What about taking some of your favorite family pictures and put them on large canvases (all in sepia tone) and lean them on the wall on that shelf varying the heights slightly. Google portrait ledge if you like that idea to get ideas.

With the fireplace and tv you already have enough to look at, so why add more?? Stop thinking about the mantel and move to the windows!! That's what I did, since I have a similar layout. I added curtains with a bold, simple pattern that go to the floor. The look awesome.

I think I would take those shelves down. They kinda look like a afterthought. Plus that's gotta be a pain to dust!

Paint the walls a light grey. add decrotive casing around windows, Large. Keep the left most and right most drapery angle in top. If you do not use the tv much consider a retractable tapestry, remote controlled.

I know the question was about the mantle but now you have me thinking about my own shelves. Found some pictures in houzz with photo ledges. You could do the ledge and a row of pictures below. Nice for a family room if you like to display photos.

I had a post written that I accidentally deleted trying to look at the pic that shows your rug! !@#$!. Alexander Calder style mobiles over the shelf - color or wood can be found at museum stores -
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/grown-up-mobiles-show-sophisticated-style-stsetivw-vs~2539788

Here's mine, but I think something like this would work over that shelf with your high ceiling. Just another option to consider!

Window treatments is what you need.

I would use color on the window treatments, something like these from Pottery Barn

And perhaps a different rug