You can still do board and batten but incorporate the entire wall, make the window trim part of the board and batten. With or without color blocking

I don’t think it will look bad if you decide to mount a TV or piece of art above the mantle. You have plenty of room between the mantle and window. I would live with it for a while and then decide from there. I’m sure you’ll warm up to it once it’s finished

@ LilDesignWorks: thank you for that visual. I had considered that actually, just wasn’t sure if it would look off with windows embedded. Will discuss that option with trim carpenter.
@PPF: I have also considered that option, thank you. I’d just hate to do that because that additional window was an up charge. Plus the exterior is all brick, completely finished. So that would be an additional cost.

I think I’d do board and baton in a different spot. You don’t want it to be dizzyingly busy ...
The windows don’t bother me. I’d focus on a taller. Nice. Fireplace surround

I don't see any problems with what you have created so far.

Decide what style you are looking to create. Run the Board & Batten only up to the the bottom of the windows, or maybe a bit lower.

Oh and on a side note- what are you doing for window treatments? My living room has a similar set up (minus the centered window) and I’ve decided to just do electric blinds but otherwise leave them bare. Here’s the only picture I can find from about a month ago

You could do something like this. (adjust the trim work to fit that space)

yours could be just like this except you'd have your middle window.

similar. too bad you didn't get grids

I think doing a coffered ceiling or beams would be a great addition

Or, just do the fireplace and leave it as is above it.

The look you love in the third picture is called architectural paneling, "board and batten" is often found on the exterior of old farm buildings.

Yes the fireplace looks fake.

Consider hiring a design professional to design an architectural paneled entire wall that incorporates the windows as some of the "panels". The design may not be able to incorporate the fireplace just completed by the trim carpenter.

I'd have the builder remove the window, since it looks weird over a fireplace. There are lots of suggestions by others of how to treat the tall wall, and the best looks are those with no windows above the FP. Don't make your decision and build something around the window just because you paid for it, it's a sunk cost. Just cut your loss and do it the right way.

Since your trim carpenter has already built the mantle have them make a simple full-scale mock up of the architectural panels using 1" x 4" material. That way you can make an informed choice before you commit to removing the window.

Removing a window at this point wouldn't make much sense unless you don't mind spending the money to do that.

You still have lots of options on how to finish that wall using trim, curtains, etc. the sky is the limit to what you can do there, here is one example.

following

Thank you all for the feedback. We’ve decided to keep the window, put up a nice piece of art and live with it for a while. If we still don’t love it in a year, then cover up. Wall paneling will likely be incorporated in another room in the house, likely formal dining room.

@haylo33 we are not sure yet. We have a series of meetings this week and next with companies that do window treatments.

Remove the window. Create a decorative brick pattern on the exterior like you’d see in old buildings. Don’t throw money around the issue trying to contour it out of existence with makeup. Throw money directly at the issue and fix it.

"We’ve decided to keep the window, put up a nice piece of art and live with it for a while. If we still don’t love it in a year, then cover up."

Love it or not, you'll never change it.

“First home” is rarely “last home”. It’s already in and paid for and the exterior is done? Keep the window.

I wanted to show another idea — doing a decorative molding on the side windows, but not the fireplace.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/cathedral-living-room-traditional-living-room-boston-phvw-vp~663792

This is a traditional style, but you could certainly put a more modern spin on it if desired.

Keep the window and build around it. If you do board and batten you could also put shutters or some kind of doors that match to blend in to cover the window.

The window is definitely a mistake. The bigger mistake is not removing it and fixing that mistake. You’ll spend twice what you would spend in removing the window, just on all of the paneling and disguises.

Perfect place for the wall art.

Some visuals

or