I would build an entertainment center / bookshelf on the right and mount your flat screen tv on the right of the fireplace. something needs to be done to the cabinet on the left so the top looks more built-in. Here is a picture with the tv to the side and entertainment center below.

I think the added on bookcase to the left of the fireplace is either too big or too small. It doesn't fully fit the space, and has the scalloped trim that makes it look like a portable piece that isn't the right size. I'd remove it and put a TV and entertainment center under it. I'd put a large, or two large prints on the right with a pad or pillows to sit on the hearth.

Hi.....I would suggest on the right a floating shelf, possibly two to the height of the fireplace opening, with the TV mounted on a swing-arm above the top shelf, the shelf below would accommodate components, The bookcase on the left, I would remove the shelves needed to keep it level with the opening of the hearth, finish the top, and use the wall for art. The floating shelves should be white, and I would suggest you paint everything on that wall BM Barren Plain

I would get rid of the brick to the right of the fireplace and also the bookshelf. The room will look much centered. You can either build bookshelves on both side or something else. Put tv in center of fireplace.

I also think it would look much better without the brick on the right and the bookshelf. Get rid of the bookshelf and either replace with built in shelving symmetrically on both sides or something else. Paint the brick white and add a white mantel.

Hi there,

It looks like somebody made an unfortunate choice is trying to balance out the fireplace elevation. It looks to me that the house was built in mid century style and asymmetry was an element that was used a lot. If it were my place, I'd rip out the white bookcase completely and consider re-cladding the brick with a large format or linear ceramic or porcelain tile that complements but doesn't "match" the floor tile. You can then use wall paint, area carpets and throw pillows to pull some punches of color into the room. If you aren't able to re-clad the fireplace brick, consider painting it a darker version of the wall color. That will create a visual volume that could be interesting. An oversize piece of art or hanging textile would look great in the niche created by losing the shelves.

Happy decorating!

Jennifer

Put another bookshelf to right to match as closely as possible one on left. Paint back of bookshelves to match room paint. Place a large painting over fireplace. Add a pretty light wood mantel. Add some green around and style book cases. You are done.

You may want to go Bio-Ethanol with the Fireplace for an Eco-friendly choice. Look at My Fire is a part of Statewide Lighting. Contact Stacie@Statewidelighting.com for more info...Good stuff! http://lookatmyfire.com/index.php/fire-collection/conversion-inserts.html

I would remove the left bookcase and use that area for a chair/lamp niche. Then, install an asymmetrical mantle from the FP brick to the end of the right wall. The tv would look great on the right side. I found a photo of something very similar to what I was thinking. The asymmetrical is very MCM and looks cool! This photo is reverse plan tho (tv should be on the right).

If you need to keep storage space:
http://static.concretenetwork.com/photo-gallery/images/420x320Exact_0x0/fireplace-surrounds_13/cast-hearth-cast-mantel-sunworks-etc-llc_59833.jpg

I would take out the white bookcase, build out the left hand side brick to match the right, install two or three oak floating shelves on either side, (not necessarily matching in situation), install downlighters in the alcoves and paint the whole wall the same (sage) colour.

I agree with Jennifer that asymmetry is part of the design intent and should be respected. Many are recommending a forced symmetry and I strongly disagree. So remove the book case (or if you really need the shelves, remove scallop and paint bookcase to match walls).

I believe a cabinet with doors on the right, where all AV equipment would go and the tv on top would look good. The bookshelf to the left...again matching cabinets with doors on the lower and bookshelves above . The fireplace can be painted a different color than the hearth, and a floating wooden mantel to finish. Also, painted crown molding would finish it off. A brand new room!

Take out the shelving. Cover brick with smoothe stucco. Round off top of fireplace enclosure. Paint in a desert rust, or similar color. Install two wooden or log mantels at different heights staggered. On right add thick padded seating. On left in corner place a large piece of Indian pottery with tall feathery plantings (dried) or tall cactus. On left wall also go with a couple of paintings. Either Indian, sunsets, or western animal prints. Put pottery on mantels. You could add a few small cacti or succulents. Also a nice comfortable leather chair would be nice on left. On right wall hang a couple of nice driftwood pieces, sanded, stained, and varnished. Paint walls in a nice warm sage.

You've gotten a lot of ideas so you will have to decide what appeals to you. Do you want it to look symmetrical or keep with the asymmetrical feel? Most people say to rip out the book shelf, but I like shelves around a fireplace. I like the option zippyvt gave you above with shortening the shelf adding one to the other side & making a mantle go all the way across. You could build out the brick on the other side if you want to make it look even. It will help if you paint or wallpaper each side of the fireplace the same even if you don't change the shelf area. Definitely take off that scallop though. Now with one side being white & the other blue, it makes it look more uneven.

Hello! I would pull out the old bookshelf as it does not fully fit into the space and adds to the unbalanced, outdated look. Additionally, I would have the base to the right of the fireplace removed to create symmetry.
Then add white Ikea bookshelves and have them custom fitted to the space. For the green color, we recommend either Sherwin Williams Willow Tree SW 7741 or Slow Green SW 6456 for the fireplace and surrounding room. You can always make the fireplace a shade stronger than the green color in your room which ties it together, but makes it pop more.

check out the fireplaces I have done on my photo's a couple of those designs would look nice in your home...

Any ideas on a Connor fireplace.

Take out the bricks on the right. We had the same style in our house. Took out the bricks, put in cabinets on both sides with book shelves above them. Put TV over fireplace,, with mantle between. (I demolished our bricks myself - yes, it can be done!). Good luck!

The off-balance look isn't a bad thing...it does not need to be squared off everywhere. The Sage paint is a great idea, find a darker shade for the fireplace, accent it with a beefier mantle. Get rid of the scallops on that bookshelf...

Here is an inspirational photo from Pottery Barn. Good Luck!

I agree with removing the white bookcase.

I'm not a big fan of painted brick but asymmetry can be great. Concrete would be a great solution here. You could keep the cost down with tiles or over sized panels, or you could have full three dimensional pieces cast that would wrap the existing structure.

I'll attach a couple of pictures of asymmetrical concrete surrounds. The larger surround's asymmetrical bench is partially blocked by the chair but it gives you the idea.

Regards,
Vincent Cathcart
VC Studio Inc.
vince@vcstudioinc.com

get rid of the bookcase and the hearth and do something cool and unexpected! we started with something just like what you have. here is the finished result in attached pic.

Remove all of the raised hearth, making a 'floating' fireplace. A hearth at the floor level would still be required. Reface the painted brick with non-combustible material of your choice; tile is inexpensive or stucco. A more contemporary shelving look could be thick open shelving on one or both sides of the fireplace.

I agree that the bookshelf on the left needs to be re-done so that it's flush with the floor and rises to just below the top of the fireplace opening. Above the bookshelf, a mirror to fill the space to the ceiling On the right, I'd place a mirror from the ceiling down 2/3 of the way (same as left)and then switch to a brass plate. That will be your place to store firewood. Having the wood stacked near the fireplace adds some texture to the wall and looks really nice (in my opinion.) As for the fireplace itself, I'd put some vertical molding on the sides and a piece on top to feature it a bit more. Use a fitted brass plate in front of the fireplace as a hearth. Make cleaning up soot and sparks very easy. Good luck. Looking forward to see what you decide!

Think about black for the brick. I like Zippy vt's shelving solution. It ties everything together and makes the asymmetry work. An alternative would be to get rid of the existing shelving unit and use that corner as a reading nook. Light the fireplace front with eyeballs or a track and hang a stunning piece of art you love over the fireplace. (Don't have one or it's not in the budget? Consider a mirror or beautifully framed poster.) Get the tv in an armoire or hide it with a hinged or sliding picture or mirror. I like your sage green. Any chance there's wood under the floor tiles?

I like the shelves as they are, all I would do is cut the scroll off the top shelf to give it a sharper look and hang a large,bright colourful painting on the right! Might even paint the whole area white add wallpaper to the back of the shelving for more colour picking up the colours in the painting and the blue from the other walls, then add a huge pot or 3 large bottles to the right platform!

I just covered my fire place wall with stacked stone from
fauxpanels.com. It looks great & they offer a large selection of looks and colors.

I would get rid of the brick on the right so the fireplace is centered. Mount the tv above the fireplace and put book shelves on the sides.

I think I would remove the hearth and the shelves, add base cabinets on both sides and some floating shelves in a random way. Might add some recessed lighting and consider granite or stone and a large wood mantle.