We have already replaced the carpet with hardwood in this room so if I did stacked stone I would frame out to the existing and it would carry all the way to the ceiling.

While I like stacked stone, it seems too rustic wither your beautiful--and rather formal--windows.

I had not considered that. I was thinking something like this picture. You think this would be too rustic? I would obviously have a larger hearth.

Leave it as it is.

Stacked stone is totally at odds with your architecture (especially the windows), your window treatment, and your furniture. DON'T GO THERE!!!

Sounds good. You guys helped save me some money. Thank you.

Any ideas on what I could possibly do with the hearth. Something about all that brick just doesn't look right to me.

Before suggesting on the brick, are you still placing the tv above the fireplace? Above the mantle is too high, but if you're open to trimming out the wood work differently, you might be able to mount it lower and in the process create the brick finish.

I think the best option if keeping that large fireplace/hearth/mantle would be do a built in where you see the previous owners TV in this picture. This wall is to the left of the fireplace if you were standing and looking at it. There is room for a full built in along the wall that would serve as additional storage as well. That is the best picture I have if it right now and all the furniture is that if the previous owner just for your knowledge. I'll snap another tomorrow.

I think the fireplace looks really nice as it is! Your room layout is ideal if you can put the tv on the side wall and orient your furniture to both focal points. Lovely room you have going there.

Completely agree, side wall for tv and built in cabinetry. Depth can vary across the wall to meet the opening to next room if needed, niches can still have your art work on rear surface if the cabinets extend full width of room, and the tv in a niche at center will look much more built in than over fireplace. Viewing angle is better from seats also. There are center large scaled furniture pieces that will appear built in, but the room seems to want true built in and white paint.

If the brick bothers yo at another time, a period/styled tile or even paint can dress it up enough, but it's a good strong design for the scale of the room as is.

This is a better overall look at the space. We are mid hardwood instal and finish.

Slate to replace the brick?

I'm in total agreement with the other comments regarding the architecture of the home. It is elegant. Builtins are generally for less formal rooms. I suggest you consider recessing the flattest screen tv you can get over an elegant sideboard or credenza and hiding it with hinged art. Place a lamp and attractive dish or sculpture on the credenza, a fiddle leaf fig in the corner by the window and flank the credenza with a pair of nice side chairs. I recommend formal draperies on your beautiful windows. You can watch whenever you please and entertain without seeing a dead screen on the wall! Enjoy your beautiful new home!

Mint Design...thank you for the input and while I do like your ideas and they look great they are really just not me...I am neither formal nor elegant and most of the entertaining we do is watching the Crimson Tide play football on Saturday or some other sporting events. This will be our family room and is directly off the large kitchen and through the windows is our patio and pool. I'm more of a "looks nice but still feels comfortable and cozy" kind of guy. I know the windows and fireplace as well as the plantation shutters say formal but it will just have to be my version of "Alabama cozy formal". I'll post up some pics once we get it all finished. I do know there will be some nice leather furniture (pictures below) and a nice area rug. We have a couple other rooms that we could fancy up a little...such as the study/reading room pictured below.

I agree that the brick doesn't cut it. An easy solution would be to paint it. Slate is a nice idea, too. Glad you're not doing the stacked stone!

Hi Scott,

I came across a fireplace image on Pinterest and thought of you. It's a way to conceal the brick, increase the casual factor in the room, and create more context for the tv built in. I think the secret is in the treatment at the heart.

Of course stone selection would be to personal taste and color coordination with the room.

Also added a go,by image for the concept that a unit can be built at different depths to address the narrower corners at each end of the tv wall. It would also still allow the corner chairs to remain, and without shelves in height zone of your paintings you could return them to the rear surface. It might also be an opportunity to place a light on the shelf above them to highlight them. If you're game for both ideas, you could even use the stone on the fireplace as a counter for the tv where you see the wood in the image.

Of course all the trim details should match other trim in the room/house to be successfully integrated.

Hope this inspires a solution for you.

Best wishes on a successful project.