Make it pop more?? I wouldn't add a mantle to that. It's not the type of tile or design that would look good w/a mantle. All you'd do is make it worse.

is this what you had in mind? are you planning on mounting your tv on it?

This style looks ok because of the charcoal tile used. not sure this would look as good w/your marble type of tile.

why not move in w/your items, take better pictures, and come back for help? Maybe you'd like to redo it completely w/something your style?

maybe you could look into something like a Roman Clay application.

roman clay basically resembles this

you'd prob have to scuff up the tile if you want to go over it. or, just remove it, add cement board, and do the overlay.

or try something like this over it

or, put some shiplap across it and then a mantle. not sure how it would work w/the firebox, so you'd have to do something w/that.

maybe you could add a metal trim piece around the opening

I see no reason you could not add a wood mantel but does the tile work for you ? It is quite a staement so maybe live with it for a bit before doing anything I beg you not to put the TV there or a huge clock .

We have never put a TV in our living room and don’t intend to start now. I suspect we will have to leave it until after we move in. I would like it better if was a slab instead of tiles with veining that doesn’t really line up.

I think it is versatile enough to work with lots of styles. You could add warm lighting and a ledge, but I‘d live with it until you have decided on what you want.

To me, it looks monolithic. lol

If it is real stone I'd check into having it honed, providing a softer, matte finish that would be less Vegas and more natural...

Less Las Vegas would be good. lol

IMO if you simply place transitional furniture in the room, that will go a long way to changing the appearance of the fireplace.

If you should decide to change out the face of the fireplace, I think a good stone mason might be able to go directly over the marble with a stone veneer.

We have good, quality furniture to put in that room. Current owners have a large leather sofa and wall mounted TV so that certainly detracts from the entire feel of the room.

This is how they have it now.