Hi. Lot's of potential here!

The first thing you should always do is have a clear concept of how overall, you want your home to feel. The photo you posted is modern. The rest of your room is sort of a mix......are you transitioning to a more modern feel?

Next, I recommend tiling to the ceiling..... a much more dramatic effect and a piece of art in itself.

Finally, I know you love the art, but consider using the art somewhere else in this room or another room.

Again, the most important step before you do anything is to clarify where you want to go style-wise.

@CDR Thank you for your comments and questions. It makes sense that I should have a style in mind that I’m trying to achieve. I’ve never really had a style (I just buy what I like) or ever worked with a professional which has resulted in the mix of styles shown in my living room. We recently moved into this condo (down-sizing, empty nesters) and my new purchases have been trending to mid-century modern pieces. Is it helpful if I say transitional with a lean towards mid-century modern and eclectic?

Do the gray chairs have anything to do with your recommendation to move the art piece? Do you see the art piece working if I changed out the chairs and tiled the wall to the ceiling? The chairs are 100 years old and were my husband’s great grandmother’s . I have other places in my condo that I can move them to. But your comments also have me thinking about whether the black & white is the right painting for that spot.

The picture I included of the tiled fireplace is more modern then my intentions. I posted that picture to be more of a representation of the style of tile I’m considering (smooth finish, no patterns, natural color).

Look forward to your thoughts, ideas, and questions! thanks!!

Hi DW.

You don't have to have to match an exact style, but knowing the direction is critical. Are you happy with your mix of styles right now? If so, that is fine. You live there.

My honest opinion is that right now, the room is looking crowded and a a jumble of styles. The eye likes some consistency, with a little mixer here and there.

I do recommend the chairs go elsewhere and the art might go on another wall.

I also recommend, if okay with you, that the music theme is highlighted more. I am seeing a sort of mid-century with an accent on organic modern. So, a 50's living room gets introduced to the 60's hippies with plants and guitar, etc......but do it in a sophisticated way.

The second step is a floor plan.

To start you out, which in these photos appeals to you? Or not?

Montecito · More Info

Keowee Midcentury Modern · More Info

Portland Mid-Century Modern · More Info

Midcentury Modern Living Room with West Elm Axel Sofa · More Info

Uptown - Mid Century Mod · More Info

Here's some mockups to get you started:

Black Tile Floor to Ceiling with Satin Nickel Fireplace Doors and Black Burning Glass with Geometric Shapes

Black Tile To Top of Windows with Gloss Black Fireplace Doors and Azuria Blue Burning Glass

All of the photos have some appeal. I like the color tones in the first photo. We have thought about mounting the guitar to the wall and my husband may get a second guitar. The second photo is in the top 2 favorites. I love the mix of wood, steel and glass and the sofa. It’s stunning. The third photo has a zen fill to it that attracts me. I’m actually surprised I like all the white. Is this room considered organic modern? I do like the sofa in the fourth photo but also love the one I recently purchased, https://bernhardt.com/product/paxton/sofas/sofa. The last photo it also in the top two favorites. The mix of textures and colors is very appealing.

here is what another poster did when they redid their room (similar to yours)

they did a black granite (or marble) surround w/the white mantle.

Since you mentioned black, i'll just show you black tile options. The example you posted w/the tv and the large format tile will not look like that on yours since your fireplace is a lot thinner. a big tile is going to be wasted on yours, so I'd do a diff size.

I like the idea of going all the way up, or going part way and using a wood mantle. your choice

all the way up w/ a type of ledger stacked quartz. they have a beautiful one in black

This is actually a skim coat of mortar, tinted to whatever color. or you can paint it.

a type of glazed brick subway, all the way up, wood mantle. (yours would be black)

I happen to love the Zellige Tile. comes in a subway, but this is the 2x2 or a 4x4

the other type of Zellige or you could do a glazed brick tile. they come in a 3x12 size. a herringbone design would be great

all black w/some millwork above the mantle. your picture would fit in here. or forget the millwork and just paint the wall above the mantle

HI .

Yes, the photo with all of the white is what I call "organic modern". You might he other terms for it like "California modern". You can see the hints of MCM in it. It also feels somewhat Scandinavian.

There are many hybrids now that don't fit in a box and you don't either.

I hear you saying you like rich earth tones as accents, and a mix of warm woods, metals and textures. You like dark tones, but also lighter ones. You are leaning toward MCM furniture pieces, but want to keep your traditional sofa and mix that in.

My recommendation: (notice you liked both rooms with the tall fireplaces and neither had art on them. Reason: the fireplace is a piece of art in itself. Sometimes less is more. )

So I would keep the room a lighter paint color, tile the fireplace to make it a piece of art and consider moving the art to another wall, possibly in that same room. I feel that the green art and the new black and white art are competing with each other at this time. (although I like both).

I'd need to see other walls for a recommended floor plan.

Good you are thinking this through. I see clients who have wasted a lot of $ making decisions that are not thought through and then wondering why the room does not feel pulled together.

Can the art on the wall behind the piano be hung vertically? If yes you might want to try it over the fireplace and move the black and white art to the wall behind the piano.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and great ideas. This is my first time posting to a discussion group and I’m appreciative of the collaboration. I’m posting a few more pictures in effort the show the entire room. I plan to replace the dying plant behind the sofa and yes, the green painting can be hung vertically over the fireplace. As you will see there is large wall space on the sofa wall and leading up the stairway. Open to changing out the sconces and possibly moving to accommodate an art piece. Also planning to replace the dying plant behind the sofa.

What is the function of this room? Is this your only family room?

I am concerned that the piano is so large, it takes over the space.

What about sun damage to the piano?

Could the piano be moved to the loft?

The fireplace is sort of being ignored.

I recommend turning the sofa straight instead of angled.

If the piano cannot go upstairs, could it go where the shelving unit is?

You could start by just painting the wall black to see the effect in the room.

I love the piano there, and it makes the room feel festive - like a singalong could break out at any time. The seating area feels cramped, and I don’t like that the two chairs (which are really cool) have their backs to the piano. Can the couch slide back towards the window? Play around with the seating arrangement a bit. The side table can go between the chairs?

As one who loves playing the piano and composing music, I could not live without the piano in the room. In many cases, the piano (or guitar) is the reason for the room. Other stuff just needs to be there to fill the space.

So tell us a little about the piano and who plays it? Sometimes it makes a difference in how the room is laid out...and the overall vibe.

Yes....agreed. I always ask because sometimes I am surprised at the answer. Without asking, I have no idea of the level of interest in having the piano in the space.

What is the correlation of piano in this post. I thought it suppose to be fireplace wall design ideas, Let's try to be more concern with the subject matter so we don't get lost

My husband the plays the piano nearly everyday and the guitar a few times/week. He prefers the piano off to the side vs having the furniture face him while he plays. This room is “screen free” and is used for reading, music, and conversation. We have a family room (TV, sectional, and bar area) in our finished basement. The loft is used as an office. I removed the plant behind the sofa and the ottoman between the chairs. I will look for a small table to go there. I also moved the plant in front of the fireplace to help unclutter the room. I’m not set on black for the fireplace wall and open to color options and tile styles.