I like your idea - I would also paint the cabinets to the right of the fireplace - all of the various wood (beam, shelves, mantle) plus these cabinets makes it too busy - by painting the cabinets, the focus is more on the accent of wood and the fireplace.

Yes that is what I also thought; I looked at others that had them black but that may be too modern for me.

I think it looks good as it is now. The asymmetry is cool and different from everybody else. Definitely paint the walls white. Good luck!

Just happened to think about the paint color and something more towards light grey might brighten the room more since the woodwork has strong yellow tones.

Are you saying skim coat it and make it stucco white OR paint the River rock white. if its paint the river rock, HECK no that will look exactly like.. you painted rock.

I see things here that dont require paint but would help the space a lot.

who wants the focal point of the room to be the TV?

Lol… no. I was referring to wall color.
Yvonne mentioned painting the walls a creamy color and so I was thinking something to counterbalance the yellow tones in the wood.

Warm whites are in apparently and will go well with your wood tones. Think Simply White or Decorator’s White

RL Relocation has it. Move the TV to the right and put a great piece of art about the fireplace that pulls the eye up and into a horizon.

Renwil OL1426 Canvas Mountain Stream Matte · More Info

Your inspiration photo is a very different kind of room. I mean, you have a massive dark sofa and the big black TV covering the fireplace, and you think the fireplace is the problem? Add a beautiful, knubby cream throw over the back of the sofa. Put an open basket of white birch logs on the hearth and in the firebox if it's not a gas fireplace. There are many ways to lighten the heaviness in this room without painting the river rock. Its texture balances out the leather sofa for one thing.

Modern Living Room · More Info