I don't like the color personally, but I do think it looks appropriate for that room. I know this is none of my business, but is this all really worth the argument? his refusal to take the TV down plus your willingness to paint around it is not exactly a healthy way to deal with disagreements. can you keep trying for a compromise? maybe suggest other colors, and get somebody to photoshop mockups with different colors so he can visualize it.

to answer your other question: if you can get the paint far enough behind the TV that you can't see it from any angle, it's not ideal but technically fine. be sure to carefully wrap the entire front and back of that TV very securely with plastic. TVs have many vents, ports, speakers on the back -- openings you really don't want to get paint into.

IloveMod, it was discussed extensively between us and the compromise struck was I could paint, but it was my project entirely, which he didn’t help with. That was what he asked. So the TV not being dismounted and remaining rust color IS our compromise. I don’t know what’s unhealthy about that. So we are all good there, but thanks for your concern.

I don’t think it looks bad, per se, but since you’ve already painted behind the shelves I’d want it all to match, it would look much more cohesive.

I don't think it looks terrible. You didn't ask but....I'd stage those shelves with more books than you have now and I might consider a coffee table. Maybe a warm wood tone that would echo the wall color?

Tfitz, I really struggle with shelf design (especially with so many) so I appreciate the feedback. I’ll add more books! Feel free to comment where exactly if you feel so inclined 😉

My choice would be to paint behind the TV.

Regarding the shelf styling, some advice I received here on Houzz has been helpful...1/3 books, 1/3 decor, 1/3 open space. Maybe change out the baskets that are extending over the shelf edge.

I think it looks fine, as is, and the paint color coordinates nicely with the brick in the fireplace. I always dislike the contrast between a black tv and a white wall, so the darker wall helps with that.

It would look good painted, as well, so I'd do whichever makes you happiest.

I love the effect you've achieved with the new paint shelving. The TV is OK with the darker color behind it, but I think it draws the eye up - to the television. If it was my house, I'd want to paint and not 'break up' the room end at mid center. Arguments with DH last all of about 5 minutes after all these years. It's not the kind of project he'd enjoy, but that's what BILs and nephews are for, right? No larger than that space is, he could just about lift the TV and hold it while you paint....;0)

I think it would look best if you kept the narrow strip of wall on either side of the fireplace the same rust color as the wall above the fireplace. This would better define the fireplace as well as minimize the TV.

It’s not terrible, but I think white would be nicer. In regards to decorating shelves, it’s not easy and it can take a long time to get right. Here is one link, but if not helpful enough there is a lot of info on line https://thediyplaybook.com/decorating-built-in-shelves/

Maureen, thanks! I actually used the images from this article to help me decorate (came up in a Pinterest search).

I actually prefer the look you had before you painted, however, since you did, then leave it around the tv, and do as Carolae says and repaint that strip along the fireplace so it all looks cohesive. That strip of color along the fireplace, also makes your fireplace stand out. The white does not look good in that spot.

Olychick, that’s a really good point about the white and black contrast of the tv. Actually makes me feel a lot better about the color potentially remaining for marital peace ☺️

Cat_ky, I would like the fireplace to stand out! So the white paint making it stand out is okay with me. I debated painting those areas and get your point, but ultimately decided to paint there so the white across was more cohesive and the rust color was minimized as much as possible (as I really don’t care for it).

Also, that paint was the previous homeowners’, so that ship has sailed to paint anything that color. I just didn’t lIke the way it looked with the strip (see below)

I would like the wall behind the TV white and the TV lowered to sit on the mantle. That said, what you have looks fine and I suggest you find some pillows of that color (I see one peeking out) to put on your couch to carry the color into the rest of the room. I like your room better with the white shelves..so much brighter and cleaner looking,

I think it looks good the way you've done it. I can't really say whether it would look better with white behithw TV also, but it's a huge improvement on how it was before. Hopefully something you can both live with.

I really like that the backs of the cases are white and behind the TV is rust. I think it makes the fireplace more focal. Since the TV is dark, I would not want to draw attention to it with a white back ground. You've accomplished a lot with your compromise. Enjoy!

I would do a dark neutral color behind the tv such as a moody navy

What about painting the wall black so the TV disappears when it's off? Or, I'd prefer it the color of the rest of the walls or white.

I really like it as is ! Very nice...enjoy it!

What color did you paint the rest of the walls in the room?

Suezbell, the rest of the walls in this room are a taupe color that I also would love to change. However, this room runs into our hallway and a two story foyer which runs into the upstairs hallway, and they’re all taupe. There is no clear stopping point for me to just paint this room and we would have to hire painters for the two story foyer so I will likely just live with them 😊

Are you considering painting more than the wall behind the tv? More below mantel level? Did you consider painting the narrow wall between fireplace and bookcase that same taupe as the rest of the wall in the room? Have you checked to see if you could find faux brick to match the actual brick for that small part of the wall?

Three hours ago with a post about shelf design, it appears from the pic that you painted the fireplace side of the bookcases below the mantel white but left those sides of the bookcases above the mantel the original color. Doesn't seem to be the case in all pics. Not sure how your project ended up. Just thought I'd mention this before you end work on your project. Though the rest of what you have done certainly doesn't look bad at all, having that one anomaly actually draws attention to the white painted wall space between bookcase and fireplace surround that doesn't match any wall.

Edit: Would leave the rust wall behind the tv as an accent wall but would seriously consider painting the rest of the bookcase ... if you haven't already (regardless of what, if anything, you do do to the narrow wall between bookcase and fireplace surround).

It is just fine as it is now, painted with the rust color. Sure it might look better white, but what is there is quite acceptable. You and your DH made an agreement and now is not the time to renegotiate. We all can play the "it would be better if" game but that result is fine and further change is not worth upsetting the household equilibrium

Suezbell, I painted the narrow strips between the fireplace and bookcase white. A commenter had suggested I leave it rust (maybe you are too?) and I was showing a photo of before I painted them white and how I don’t believe it looked right.

oh sorry, I had read it entirely different. if that's your compromise, then go for it! I do think that white would look best there.

I wont chime in on the actual paint selection, but before painting it white, I would tape white sheets of paper around the TV to make sure you are happy with the look. Next, It appears your TV doesn’t extend or pull away from the wall. Is it possible for you to use a small paint brush around the TV to make it look like you have painted behind it?