IMO get the TV off the mantel it is way too high to be remotely good for watching TV and then do thicker mantel in the same wood as the trim you like and forget the flags please.

It is a very pretty built in. I am glad the moulding has grown on you, as it makes this area stand out and not look like any other house.

It looks like there are panels behind the t.v. that could really be shown to advantage if you have a different location for the t.v.?

Other than that, I'd add some nice artwork above the mantel I would not make it thicker as I think the existing style works with the rest of the built ins.

Nice job painting! And thanks for NOT painting the brick :)

Also, if you do have to have the t.v. there, you might consider putting in a wall mount and removing the base. I do think it would look great with one nice painting and a possibly a picture light to illuminate it.

We have to leave the TV it is wall mounted, what you are seeing is the sound bar, which is also mounted. im just asking if the mantle should stay that color or do something with it

I would paint the mantel

I'm not a fan of the TV over the fireplace but of it has to stay, so be it. But I think you have a lot going on visually. I'd advise lightening the brick (german schmear) so it relates better to the white built ins.

bigger mantel would be nice. why can‘t you move tv?

It's a little hard to see in your photo due to the lighting, but maybe match the mantel to the molding.

The flags are very distracting- so we can't get a good idea. The molding looks like it matches the crown which looks great. The mantel itself could be about twice as thick ( or a bit more)

A bit smaller TV?

Declutter the mantle, very important if you have a big tv competing with the mantle as a focal point. To help match the visual design of the mantle with the bookcases, think about how to frame it. Most people have suggested increasing volume on the upper frame where the dental trim is - this is not allowed due to the tv and speakers. However, you can tie in the overall aesthetic by extending the mantle vertically down the sides of the mantle, by inserting pieces of wood molding/trim that matches the bookcases. The change/break in brick pattern allows for these inserts and they can be painted to match your other trim. This solution accomplishes two things. Firstly it reduces the amount of brick visible without painting the brick. Painting brick is rarely a good long term plan near a fireplace as it can be difficult to maintain if you actually use the fireplace. Secondly, the mantle will visually become larger, brighter, and appear to be less dominated by the tv above it.

The ceiling lights detract from the whole look, and the flags are distracting as well. Artwork instead of a TV would look so much better.

Tying the fireplace more into the bookshelves I think would be great

Leave the mantel the color it is- it ties in nicely with the lovely ceiling moulding.

Declutter! You have too much “stuff” on the bookshelves, mantle and hearth. Less is more, then you’ll be able to see the moulding as it should be seen. Leave the mantle as is, it ties in to the crown moulding.

Nice color brick on the fireplace! As suggested by Lisa Caudill Designs (above), I would paint the mantle to match the cabinets/shelves on the sides. If it’s not already the same color, paint the wall behind the TV to match as well. I know you “love” the color of the crown molding, but painting it to match will brighten and tie together the whole area.

What do you guys not get? She is NOT moving the TV. Stop telling her she has to and give her actual feedback she can use. (I think the declutter and lighten suggestion by @krisinslyman was spot on. Good luck!)

Lisa Caudill Design is spot on too. Photos are perfect example for what this area needs, as well as declutter. Simply said "less is more" is what all above are saying. Good Luck

Definitely declutter… arrange mementos in a more organized fashion…. (Less small individual items) Then paint behind the tv and sound bar OR do the same wood you have behind the shelves so everything is a little more cohesive.. your eye is having to move around to much.

Thank you all! I like the idea of adding sides to the firelace here are some better pics. The first is looking into the room from our kitchen. Its a nice, open layout

Good first attempt by taking down the flags but it’s not enough. Now try taking away the basket with the logs, the two metal objects beside the tv and leaving only two large or three small items on each shelf. I would also take down the “Faith” sign in front of the blue window pane. I get it, you see it as decoration but the person seeing it for the first time sees it as overdone - clutter.

The word is "mantel." A "mantle" is a cloak or long cape. 😊

IMHO I would paint the molding and mantle the same color as the shelving, since the brown at the top makes your ceilings appear lower. Some of the suggestions of building a wood surround to expand the presence of the mantel and cover some of the brick are what needs to be done to tie it all together.

I think the brown crown molding and mantel is overwhelming and distracts from the bookcases. I would paint the whole bookcase wall and room trim in one color of white that works with the white or light color in the brick. I would also figure out a way to move the tv, whether it be removing a shelf and putting it on top of the lower cabinet on one side of the built in or putting it in the corner where the faith window is now. Then get a nice piece of art for above the mantle.

"The word is "mantel." A "mantle" is a cloak or long cape."

none none, I'm always tempted to point that out. ;-)

I agree with Lisa and aniluap2. Paint the mantel and the molding the color of the bookshelves.

The pictures Lisa posted are beautiful!

I like the mantle the way it is. I feel like the issue is actually the back wall of the built-ins; they seem to be done in a distressed wood finish which is a lovely detail but I think it competes too much with the brick of the fireplace. It's making your eyes work too hard and making things look more cluttered than they probably are, I would consider either painting the backs of the built-ins to a more simple flat tone or otherwise lightening the brick on the fireplace.

I agree Lisa's examples look great.

Hi emburr, I think your home is lovely as it is! Ignore people who gave opinions that didn't answers your question about the mantel. The main thing about home is making it your "happy place", and that looks different for everyone.

I would paint all the wood (mantel and crown moulding) to match the bookcases to pull it together.

When you look at the "big view" picture you see the casing and baseboard white, the crown stained wood, the built-ins cream, & the walls tan. I think that's what you need to study. Something either needs to pull all that together or make it similar. I like your blue coffee table & red couch....your patriotic decor fits right in with it! Put what makes you smile on your shelves and on your walls....it's YOUR house!

I would definitely paint the mantel to match the bookshelves. And as many have suggested declutter- nothing on the mantel since the tv is above.

My humble thoughts are to leave the mantle, tv, etc alone and just remove the crown molding above the tv. I think this alone could make a huge difference.

paint it , or replace it with something else. I'd prob paint the crown too since it really sticks out w/the contrast wood tone. (ditto the fan). It should plend in w/the bookcases.

Right now that dark ornate molding really doesn't compliment anything else in the room. even your casing and baseboards are white.

See this one? If it was dark like yours it would cut the room in half, just like yours does.

paint it white

I like the reclaimed wood beam in this one. I think your room could look very similar to this one^ but w/your tv over the mantel. I know you like the dark crown, but it just doesn't work w/anything else in the room. sorry.

I did a quick photoshop w/a diff surround. trim is all white. the crown needs to be white too.

here's another one w/limewashed brick, painted crown, softer tone fan.

see how the crown matches everything?

photoshopped this one into yours if you want to see what all white looks like.

These are all very similar to what you have.

this reclaimed beam is nice^ but notice the tv/sound bar. that's it. no need to clutter up the mantel w/all the other stuff.

if you didn't have the tv, you could do this. I do like the surround they did w/the trim work above it

or try doing the surrounds like these

what's with all the declutter crap ..I am beginning to think you Americans live in very sterile homes it's the same with the kitchens ..never anything on the counters.. microwave hidden in a drawer or cupboard why ? you never see a kettle on the worktop . you are always doing up your homes not for the now but for selling in a few years . .does no one do their homes up for the now if the Op wants her TV over the fireplace she can if she wants stuff on the shelf she can ..who are you to tell what she can and can not have ? why are you all trying to make every home look the bloody same !

Wow, Beth IS a pro! I agree with her, paint the brick (or cover it with wood panel, or lime wash as she shows). We had exactly this problem with our fireplace (with TV above) in a much smaller house. It is now painted white with a neutral marble surround, and all ties together well. Our TV was able to go in a cover so we can shut it away when not in use. I don't think you have enough space for that, but it does help. Note that black is a dominant color (TV and fire screen) in the room, so work with it, not against it as you decorate (as in Beth's bottom photo), You'll be surprised how much the molding pops even if painted. It is a great feature on the wall and adds interest without getting in the way.

Beth- Great of you to take the time to provide a thoughtful, useful response. You went above and beyond and showed her some great options. And they are all lovely! We’ll done!

I agree!

Given the breadth and length of the 40+ responses in this thread, I bet the originator of this discussion is exhausted—before she even BEGINS tackling the original problem she requested help with! That was so many replies ago that I can’t remember what it was. Oh wait! Should she paint the mantel? Whatever you decide, emburr, make the room YOURS! Good luck!

Personally I think it looks fine with the brown wood, because it doesn't sound to me like you want to paint the crown molding throughout the whole room. I am an eclectic decorator. Your home is lovely. The only slight issue I see, is what jrmosman pointed out, the back of the cabinets which seem not quite a flat color, compete slightly visually with what is on the shelves that you are displaying, making it seem more "busy" than it would with a flat background. That said, even that is not excessive. What something looks like flat on in a photo is not what it looks like IRL. Your home looks very warm and inviting to me.