Shameless bump :)

Do you have any pottery you could put there or could we see the antiques you used?

May I add just a few other thoughts? NOTHING with the tv.....those items are small, but still distracting. I think THAT area would look best empty. Cannot tell what the white/cream is in front of the fireplace. Wish that would that gone, too.

It's not that hard to finish it up to the ceiling.

I'd suggest getting rid of the upper cabinet and finish out the top with either drywall or smooth plywood. It will get rid of that awkward space. Relocate the cable box, DVD player etc. somewhere else, maybe into a cabinet below one of the windows to the side.

Frankly, it looks like your fireplace is getting some age on it. What is that, a fifteen-year-old Heat & Glo?

Before you spend a lot of money dressing it up, it may be time to consider an upgrade, like in the photo above.

abbyjean - Unfortunately the antiques I had up there are packed away at the moment but I am leaning towards leaving the space empty for the time being. Thank you for the reassurance!!

Ya know....it probably looks empty to you because you had things there before. It is such a small area and things may just look so small and crowded up there anyway. WISE choice to leave it blank! I just looked at the pic again and you are FINE!

COASTROD - Great before and after pics - Thanks!! I like the idea but I doubt my hubby will. We disagree with everything when it comes to this built-in! He loves the look of stained wood and I want to paint it + the trim white. Anyhow! The fireplace is more than likely around 15 years old. I'm assuming it was new when the addition to the home was built in 97'. Good eye! It used to be a wonderful gold color and I recently painted it black and have yet to paint the front screen. I will have to look into an upgrade.

If we were to remove upper cabinet and sheetrock, I'm assuming we would have to relocate the tv as well being that it would look awkward with so much space between top of tv and ceiling. I have a huge clock that would look amazing in the spot but not many options on where to relocate the TV to.

You are right! It's because I'm used to having something there. I only had 3-4 things up there so it wasn't too crowded but was still enough to fill the space. It will just take some getting used to. I'm trying to bring a "homey' feeling into my home lol I can not wait to start decorating once the renovation is over

Maybe one unique piece and some greenery so things aren't so angular?

Take all things away from around the TV.....TV looks good on it's own. For the top, how about the little blue bird in the middle with a photo on each side. (Photos the size of the one you have beside your TV)

Those photos are awfully tiny to go up that high and truly be appreciated. I am a greenery person and could see that working up there, shortped.

Make hubby a deal he can't refuse: you can do whatever you want with the fireplace cabinet, and he can do what he wants with the TV.

Why do men hate to paint wood?!? I would definitely paint it, and take off the top cabinet. It's very awkward right now, and screams 1989.

Great idea to take everything away from the TV. To be honest, I'm not much for greenery on top of the built in. The things I have around the TV are not usually there (minus the little blue bird) . What you see is my workout DVD case, faux grass I used to have as decor in my studio, green frog tape, a frame, remote with an inch of dust on it, birthday hat I bought for my dog. lol Random stuff that was thrown on the mantal because I had nowhere else to put it while the rest of my furniture was in the garage :D I should have cleaned before snapping pics.. I know!! lol

Thank you all for your responses! I will be sure to show him this thread so he knows he's stuck in the 80's!! ;)

Ooo and I usually have 2 -10x20 photo frames hanging vertically on the wall on both sides of the mantel

I too would prefer to have cabinet go all the way to the ceiling to fill the "void". How about three natural baskets the same tone as the wood on the top as an alternative? You could store some videos up there as well. I would not have anything else (no knick knacks) on the tv shelves so it will have no clutter or tv watching distractions.

Funny......you just got busted! It happens to the BEST! Enjoy your room!

Darzy - As would I but don't you think it would look funny going all the way up with the slanted pitch of the ceiling? I love your natural basket idea! I need to keep the no clutter tip in mind! Thank you!