You could go the darker beige of the mortar or choose the lighter color of the stone. I don't think gray complements the stone

Currently the stone color compliments the flooring. Perhaps someone with skills can photoshop the mortar color to match the stone.

Gray is clashing with the stone. You need to paint the room a color that has a warm undertone.

Have you considered painting your walls Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige? I think this color would look great with your flooring & fireplace stone. Accessible Beige is a beige with a grayish undertone so it still looks modern.

Since you only have to decorate the first story of a space, basically at eye level, you can pretty much disregard all the additional height and ‘stuff’ - including the rest of fireplace, technically. The room height is nice for the feeling of spaciousness that it offers, but what is at eye level is mainly the predominant decorating concern.

i would start with a large piece of art. I think that is all it needs. And if you wanted to, you could tie the grey and stone colors in with the colors in that piece of art. But you don’t have to necessarily go that route. Could be any art that resonates with you.

And I don’t know your setup for lighting, but if you wanted to add more to that - maybe a chandelier to enhance the art/design.

And I just looked at fireplace again, and I see the ceiling fan right in front of it. So some type of chandelier/light fixture ‘could’ possibly go in that spot - to enhance the room, art, etc.

We have decided to move forward with painting the shutters white and the wall behind the fireplace a warm color to match or blend with the grout of the fireplace. will pot when all si said and done!