I like the mantel color and wouldn't change it. It complements the floor.

The current stain looks nice to me, too, especially with the warmth of the stone. Regarding mantel decor, is the arched piece removable? It looks a bit "fussy" to me. I would remove everything you have there and replace with art work. Doesn't seem you need much else, but I like simplicity with mantels.

Yes I can remove the arched piece for sure!

I see you have some kind of linen-look crown (an nice color) perhaps a pot or two on the hearth to help tie that in along with the stone would be nice. I agree a nice art piece instead of the smalls on the mantel or the arch piece would be better. But the stone wall is really pretty.

Nothing wrong here that a little decluttering and a little shopping in some local art galleries couldn't remedy. Is the white cabinet on the right built in or movable. It seems to be distracting the eye from the focal point fireplace.

A little mock up.

Items. Hobby Lobby has some large rustic vases at great prices.

@decoenthusiaste I agree.... about to declutter this thing right now. Cabinets to right are built in so cannot be removed. Here is a pic of the space right now. I'm about to declutter/restyle the built ins as well. I just feel that it is all getting too busy. This is our main living area and I have 4 kids, so anything I do has to reflect that, or as least keep it in mind.

Nice examples from Flo. That vase color would be very nice with your stone.

I can't do any vases on the fireplace hearth b/c I have a toddler. Maybe later though!

Artwork is pretty and reminds me of Texas Bluebonnets in spring. Maybe something a touch more modern? Trying to slowly break up some of the traditional around here.

Since this more of an intimate family gathering spot, I wouldn't have a problem with a family photo portrait above the mantel. I've seen some nice ones done and professionally framed and matted. With 4 kids you could have a nice horizontal piece there; keep it withing the width of the firebox below. When de-cluttering, I advise ditching any fake flowers, greenery and such.

Well, the perspective changes when you pull back and see more of the space. You could do some more modern art since you want to move away from strong traditional. Do you want contemporary or kind of soft contemporary like this art?

What is the thing that’s on the mantel.

If you do art over the mantel, then remove the art over the buffet/or sideboard. It will be too much. I would like something with white over the mantel to tie in the built-in and the chairs. Something light would be lovely I believe!

How much height over the mantel do you have.

Yes I agree. I’m removing the artwork to the left for now. May have to go look for something for over the mantle. I could do a family photo over it, but I’ve got other photographs in here and it may be too much (one large one not pictured). Also got rid of the ficus tree.

I really like the stone and the mantel color.....I wouldn’t change anything. The main thing I would tackle is to declutter and simplify, and change the fan/light fixture.

It is pretty, but everywhere I look I see knick-knacks! You have a lot of littles things so I'd streamline. I like Flo's idea of one picture over the mantel. nothing else.

I like this kind of mantel since it's less fussy looking.

Also, take notice of the way they've styled the photos and things on the shelves

Flo, CLC and Beth.... great ideas! Love the pics y’all shared. Flo.. I have 54” from top of mantle to ceiling. Unfortunately I am a sentimental and Knick knacky person and have a hard time letting go of items!

Here’s the current status.... not necessarily keeping the white S above fireplace.... just already had that at home and was trying to see what white/neutral would feel like up there.

CLC ... don’t know why but I had not even considered changing the light/fan. I do want to keep the fan option, but I could find something a little less dated. This is the original one from the house 18 years ago and was here when we bought it. Any suggestions on a more clean lined fan?

This is opposite the antique buffet wall. I tried to keep it bare because my husband likes to put drinks and magazines on it at night. But this is the photograph I have on a canvas, and the reason why I don’t think I want another photograph above the mantle. Although I do need to update it because I now have four kids, not just 3!

Just de-cluttering made it look better!

Yes, much better! I can really see some art there, such as the 'Uttermost Layers Landscape' Flo posted. Seems the colors would be nice for the space.

the shelving looks perfect. the only other thing that jumps out at me is the console to the left of the fireplace. are those frames or mirrors lined along the back? if frames, can you hang them somewhere? that top just looks crowded.

Maybe move the kid photo and hang it above that console and move the fan wall hanging to the buffet?

Beth... thanks for the feedback. The mirrors.... they're attached to the antique buffet. This was my grandparents' piece and I don't want to alter it. I can remove some of the stuff from it though.

oh ok, that's fine. it looked like 3 mirrors were angled or something.

you did a nice job w/the shelving. As for the fan, take a look at what's out there. maybe something a little sleeker looking might work.

Lampsplus and Lampsplusopenbox (great deals) , as well as Houzz, all have a variety of fans. I'm in the market for one as well.

Picked this up today to try out.... to me, colors work but something doesn’t feel quite right. Oh and my husband hates it.

I liked the arch thing on the mantle but not the vase and candle holder on the sides. Have you tried it with just the arch?

Rachel... I have not but I am kind of “over” it. I’ve had it a long time and kind of want to freshen it up a bit

If you want to change the mantle without removing it, you can go right over it. (Although personally I like it.) https://www.fwmadebycarli.com/2011/01/making-of-slip-covered-mantel.html

First up I'll confess that I am not a "pillow person" but I still have to ask. Don't those 2 long pillows on the white chairs need to be put on the floor every time before someone sits down? They chairs look like they'd be way too shallow to sit on comfortably, with the pillows in place. To my eye the room would look better without them.

what about a clock? I think you went the right route with the black arch before but understand wanting something new.

Keep looking. If your husband hates the painting, it’s kind of mean to put it in such a prominent place.

I think you need something a little bit bigger or with more presence. The colors don’t seem to work with the stone? What does Hubby dislike? Too feminine? And horse art of interest?

A couple pieces.

I get not being a pillow person... maybe they do add to the busy feel... but I still love them and will be keeping them.

Flo... hubby says the art looks cheap. He says too modern for our home and he liked what I had up there before better. He doesn't like abstract art much, I think this one looks like a river or lake which is definitely up his alley, but if he says he HATES it (which is rare), then I won't be keeping it!

I like the horse art (former horse owner), but I feel that it doesn't have any meaning for our family currently so I probably wouldn't choose that.

What about a mirror? Would I still need to choose something mainly white/neutral?

I think your brick is beautiful so finding something that doesn't hide it like art or a mirror would look the best.

similar to this

I think your mantel would look best with something large that has a presence - some color. I'm not a fan of no-color pieces - wrought iron, clocks. mirrors. To me they don't add enough life, and they don't draw the eye to the fireplace. I love Groveraxle's renderings as always.

If you can escape the masses, take your husband art to a local art show or a gallery. Get an idea of what you both like. It will make it easier to narrow down the bazillion affordable choices available on line.

Julie, your pillows have a scroll-y pattern, as do the fireplace screen, and the piece over the sideboard. Additionally, your ottoman has a houndstooth check, another intricate pattern. It's a tad too much and is why I changed the pillows on the chairs and gave you a bold abstract painting on the mantel.

Clutter can come from too many objects in a room, but too many patterns can also create visual clutter and give no place for the eye to rest. When there is too much visual clutter, it all melds together and nothing stands out.

As for mirrors over mantels, unless they reflect something worth seeing twice, I would not use one.

Find the right art and this room will be easy to bring together.

A mirror would serve no good purpose over the mantel. Art is very personal and getting something you love and that works in the space takes some patience. Take that one back and keep looking. groveraxle gave you some good pointers and as we have stated, less is more in your space. The large built-in with the floor to ceiling stone is really "bossy" in the space, but this can be conquered with careful "scaling" of pieces. That means, vary the "size and scale" of prints and accessories to keep things interesting but not overwhelming.

Remove all accessories, place either some art work, or wall art for texture, over mantel with a vase, or three on one side or the other. If using wall art, make sure there is color in the vases to give some pop. I'm with Flo regarding less is more in your space. My other thought would be to remove the trim from the mantel as it looks a bit fussy, and almost seems like a traditional mantel where someone removed the two vertical sides. If you want the look of a farmhouse type mantel, removing the trim would give it more of the look of a beam and certainly would be less busy.

I would also remove a lot of the smaller items you have scattered around the room. If you want to showcase them, choose one shelf or cubby in your bookcase and put all of them in one space, and leave all the other areas clean. When there are so many items throughout a room, your eye has difficulty focusing on anything.

following

You have a lovely fireplace but why do you obscure it with the chairs? Have you thought of removing the buffet and putting the two big chairs against that wall? That way you can see more of the fireplace and let it be more of a focal point.

Thanks for the suggestions. While I do agree with less is more and the need for decluttering and allowing the room to have a focal point, it's probably not realistic that I'd clean off every surface except one. Having 5 out of 6 shelves be completely empty in the bookcases would look equally as bad to me, and like I hadn't finished decorating. This is a family room - the room we all hang out in and watch tv - connected to the kitchen and breakfast area - and is going to be more lived in and less designer-ish. I have a living room off the entry that is much more simple and less knick knacky. For now I will be searching for a piece of artwork for above the mantle that will tie things together while also adding some color/contrast.

Julie- I'm pretty sure the pro was suggesting you group the smaller items together (rather than spread out), thus leaving the areas "clean" (from what they consider clutter). Totally empty shelves would look bare.