Do u plan on leaving the furniture?

I actually really like your brick -- it reminds me of the brick in the Houzz photo below, which has always been one of my favorite Houzz rooms.

If you took your room in a more modern clean line direction with the furnishings/accessories/lighting, then I think a new mantel is all that your fireplace would need.

[houzz=]

Yes. It's new.

Simple mantle like now or a full surround? Fireplace is gas.

Patsy, remove the decor on mantel, the clock & family pic on adjoining wall, and can you relocate the large bookcase?

There is too much going on on the mantel & fireplace is overwhelmed by the large bookcase

Clear the space and then decide if you want to re-do fireplace. I agree with Brenda.

Straw basket on hearth doesn't work, no does glass cloche.

A fireplace screen would give the fireplace a nice finishing touch. See attached image of verdigris metal fire screen. This may not be the quite the right style for your room; however a screen adds finish to fireplace opening. I would suggest you go online to site like Wayfair & see selection of fire screen to choose from.

Use KISS principle!

Tile from The Tile Shop
http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/TileShop/Distinct_32?$Pin%5FGallery$

Have you considered painting the wood shelf and the wall a more neutral color- I love your furniture but the wood and the fireplace are so dark together. ICI/DULUX paint makes a color called Worsted Tan. It is beautiful in a room with natual light like yours. Take everything out and paint the walls and the book shelf. You can do just the inside of the book shelf and leave the shelves themselves wood if you like. I like your mantle now but you could change it to something more formal, with some molding to match the ceiling medallion. But if the shelf and the wall were painted, the fireplace would be more of a focus. I think the brick are really nice. They look shiny. Are they sealed with something?

The clock was to try to balance the bookcase. The house is in the south on the bay and the fan might have to stay.

Sharon, what is a glass cloche?

Maybe a mantel shelf all the way across with stacked stone on the bottom and hearth and drywall above so the stone does'nt overwhelm the space

I can show you, they are decor pieces & sometmes used in gardens in spring & summer....I thought I saw one on your hearth, but see now I was mistaken.
Cloche is French for bell....can see similarity

Thanks everybody. The fan will be replaced with a small chandelier. The bookcase will be much less crowded. The family picture will stay. One granddaughter rates!

sounds like a great start Patsy! -- can't wait to see photos of your results.