Please no gilt fireplace. I promise you will be happier if you just whitewash, limewash, or paint it a light color. Also paint the wood paneling and trim. Is that a florescent ceiling light?

Thank you and yes unfortunately it is! We do plan on adding lamps, etc to use instead. Addressing overhead lighting isn't in our budget just yet. We are working on flooring and painting initially.

Do you like espresso or black for the paneling and trim, if you don't mind?

No to the metallic paint on the FP and what you see in the 1st pic are actual metallic tiles and the 2nd is a stone not metallic at all. It is very cheap to run LED pots in a dropped ceiling . Those pillars need to disappear as much as possible so painting those will be good . You have this huge space and the TV over the FP why? I would keep everything light so no black panels . Maybe some more pics of the space would help.I might also suggest you add some ideas to your site so we can get some clue as to your style.

Thank you. TV is over the fireplace because in the large room we wanted a cozy space in front of the fire and there is no other place. I will talk to my husband about the LED lights. Here is a pic of my newly painted first floor space to give you an idea of my taste. (there are two club chairs and a small table now in the open space you see and the pillows are a mess but not typically)

But this is a room that I also LOVE (inspiration)

P Banos - thank you. I was going darker because my husband wants it to be "cozy" down there. He likes the darker colors. But I do like the idea of lighter but darker furnishings.