Can you post a picture of the rest of the room? Is there any way to add two more lights on either side of the current one?

First look, what I see is the stained trim on the top of the stone. It is not a beam and shouldn’t be stained as if it were. If you removed it, would the stone just meld into the ceiling?

Next question: did you add the mantel?

It is a beam. The mantle was here and I painted it white. Was the same as the beams. The stone wall is not flat. It is out a few inches further under the mantle and in on top

Pics of room

Are the beams structural or decorative?

From the photo, the beam is interfering, visually, with the height of the fireplace.

I see something more like this for color of mantel:

The white is just too white.

Structural

Beam pic

Phooey! I was hoping you could remove it.

Well, to get to your dilemma, just concentrate on the area above the fire box.

No need to decorate the entire mantel. You have a light above so try something on this idea:

Frame art in white…to work with mantel; use as odd number when choosing accent decor. For your fireplace, this rectangular shape in the art will work well.

Great room, BTW!

Maybe?

Yea I just bought this stuff and I’m willing to add to or subtract what I have.

Thank you

I agree with Judy G that one piece of art centered over the firebox and highlighted by the single light would be better. It looks like you have an interesting photograph to the right of your fireplace. It looks too small to go over the mantle, but perhaps something that works well with that. You don’t need to add items along the whole width of the mantle. It would be more effective to provide focus in the center.

The narrow mantle does look a bit stark against the stone in the photos, and might be improved by being closer to the stone color, again as Judy G proposed.

Two other thoughts - to balance the hearth better, perhaps move the two tall candlesticks to the right side of the hearth, or find something else you like to balance the firewood holder.

Finally your furniture arrangement (which I realize is not part of what you asked for advice on) seems misaligned. It is a long room. Perhaps either shift the sofa toward the fireplace, even though it wouldn’t be centered on the wall, or center these two chairs on the sofa, and find a wonderful, special, cozy chair to put to the right of the fireplace. Right now, it would be hard to have a conversation between the chairs and the sofa.

Thanks pds290. Yes the chairs and couch are not across from each other but I am going to take 6 ft of that wall away and open it to the dining room. Then I will have to come back for advise on the furniture situation. Right now i can move the Chairs across from the couch because the front door is there and I feel if I move the sofa it will look odd. I may be getting rid of a chair after the demo of the wall

I am thinking of getting a wide picture like Judy said for the center but now I don’t know if I get something smaller than the fireplace doors or larger or about the same size???? Anyone? I’m worried if it’s about the same size it may look funny.....idk

I think the mantle would be better with more contrast with the decorative items. Try getting a large statement mirror to put in the center to bounce the light around. put the candlesticks on one side and slight the greenery items in on the other side.

I suggest not using a mirror only because the light will be directly above it, reflecting on an angle.

As is now, there are too many little pieces. You don’t have to have something clear across the mantel. Your fireplace is big, the stone wall is big. Get a big focal piece - as suggested, a nice painting - and a few decor pieces tied to the painting, both in color and in subject matter.

Your round piece isn’t bad, but I believe it’s still a little small. It doesn’t have much visual weight. I like your candleholders on the left, but the little bitty candles, not so much.

Random little pieces look futzy, IMO. Go big or go home.

Nice room!

Try a mock-up using a piece of cardboard, about 3/4 the width of the firebox and 3/4 the height between the low edge of the beam and the mantle top. You probably don't want art with glass because of possible glare from your lights. Is your art on the right wall about this size, just to use a a mock-up? I'd probably change the mantle to the same color as your mortar.

Have you considered 4 chairs when you remove the wall portion? 2 facing the fp and 2 opposite flanking the fp? You should settle on your layout beforehand, it'll be challenging with the entry door and a wider dining room doorway. What's happening with the floor, can it remain? Sorry to hijack your question, inquiring minds need to know!

Bette I’m a mason by trade so the floor will be corrected after I remove the wall. I will remove a few stones and bridge the area that will
Be missing floor and add stone where needed. I just started another post about the furniture layout. I’m at a loss. I am open to adding or
Subtracting pieces tho so I will have to see how 4 chairs will work