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You're not getting answers because all you've shown us is a messy one-wall view. Good design is holistic, taking into account an entire space. Please show all four walls of the room so Commentors can make suggestions that will work with the rest of the room.

You could paint the stone white

You could skim coat some mortar over the stone for a different type of texture.

@BeverlyFLADeziner - I never thought of skim coating, that is a good option! 

Thank you for the opinion! Aren't we all messy when remodeling? I described the layout in the post, but as we clean up I might repost with more pictures. It is even messier on the other side - haha :)

We need to see the whole space and BTW adding a skim coat is best left to a pro I would just clean the stone really well and paint it if it is still too much texture then hire a pro to skim coat.

@stephanie: Aren't we all messy when remodeling? I described the layout in the post.

Um, design is visual medium, which is why pictures are requested. You didn't say you were remodeling. Here's how to get Commentors to respond with helpful sugggestions:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6067247/design-dilemma-advice-for-first-time-posters

Remove everything. Make the fireplace wall the focus in the room by placing some appropriate art and a few (minimal) accessories on the mantel. Turn the furniture to face the fireplace rather than hide it. Place an attractive area rug between the sofa and the fireplace. Are there a couple of upholstered chairs you can add or move into the seating area?

Put up a nice rustic wood mantle such as a reclaimed beam

Yes,  chaise is going! It was an inherited piece and blocks the fireplace.

I was looking for fireplace rehab mostly, but fully appreciate the comments on a wholistic approach.

Bear with me while I post pictures, layout and dimensions tonight. I am still reeling from our kitchen renovation, but using the house is a mess already momentum to finish out our first floor - just have the living room left! :)

Further away photos of the whole room will give everyone a chance to chime in with contextual comments.

Ok...1. Full length view looking at the fireplace (standing at patio doors)

2. Full length view looking at patio doors (standing at the fireplace)

3. View into the room from laundry room doorway

4. View into room from kitchen doorway

Planning new furniture and decor. Hardwood flooring stays. Built-in cubbies stay. Paint is SW repose grey and trim is SW alabaster. Lighting can change. Ceilings 8'. Center beam is load bearing.

I happen to like toasty colors, of stones, and sofa.... but if it has appearance of shabby mortar stuff, dirty... that's something else.

Wow. The ceiling looks low, I know it isn’t, it just appears that way. All those extra beams, textured ceilings, and trim add to the illusion of it. It’s just a lot in a small space. I’d start with clearing that, then take a look again. Can you show your kitchen? Since they’re joined.

This is a long low fireplace, with a structural beam in room, but the rest of the ceiling area is minimal.

Would suggest a German smear technique to you. Attached is a before and after photo of a fireplace using that technique.

Your floor and cubbies look good. Your new mantle makes your existing stone look dinghy. We have limestone in our patio and it looks white even with storm debris on it.

@Kat M I wish there were windows on that end to bring in some light.  The ceiling beams do not help that is for sure! The limestone just looks bleh to me with the white trim and warm grey walls. 

Here's a picture of the remodeled kitchen.  The cubbies installed to the ceiling on the corner here really helped it appear taller. Contemplating additional shelving/bookcases near the fireplace or around the TV.

Is that an exterior wall? If so, maybe get estimates and plan for window(s) in future. Time goes by quickly. Our exterior took us 5+ years. Feels so strange to be done. Now that I’ve seen your kitchen, I’d probably keep crown molding but the beams I need to think on. When you said painted wood over mantle, is the mantle wood encased?

That is an exterior wall (brick). I would like to say it's in budget,  but probably not right now, but perhaps future. 

We are 8 years into our house and having been doing remodeling in stages,  so I get it!

The mantle (shelf) is a long beam of wood that was painted yellow when we moved in, so we just painted it our trim color white.  It's solid. I do not know about replacing it since the stone/mortar just terminates into it instead of it sitting on the stone face. The whole thing might crumble if we remove,  I would have to to have someone come look.  The ceiling beams are: center load bearing steel encased in wood box and the other two on each side are faux wood hollow beams installed probably to match the center at one time. Previous owner painted over all.

Consider a very large horizontal mirror with a black frame over the fireplace to reflect the light from the other side or the room. This will make a big difference on lightening up your room.

Here is a floor plan that will work better by ignoring the fireplace as the main feature of the room.

Create a horizontal line by extending the height of the mantle around the room. It will create a custom wainscoting. Since you have kids, install vinyl grasscloth from the wainscoting molding to the floor. Great washability and looks chic.

Switch the TV to the wall on the right to create a pleasant focal point when entering the room. In the tv unit, consider some doors and open shelving. The bottom shelving can be specifically for toys and bins. It is important to not go above the mantle height. It will detract from the different ceiling beams and room division. Install light sconces over the tv unit.

Paint the beams and ceiling Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It's a bright clear white and again will brighten the room.

Try tightening up the furniture layout facing the tv display unit. It will be cozy and create a natural entrance foyer as entering the room. A large rug will anchor the seating area. The nice thing about furniture is that you can move it around!

The curtains should go from the ceiling to the floor and consider a printed linen to add color and texture.

Here's a little sketch and floor plan for inspiration. I hope this helps.

Okay, since you like gray. I would consider painting the wall and stone the gray you like or all your trim color. Then you can decide if the mantle should also be the same color or dark to match the bench on your entryway cabinet. The ceiling and needs to be the whitest you can stand to reflect what light you have. The you can bring in color with art, furnishings, etc.

You need advice on lighting for the entire room. Lighting is not my area at all. I have seen some art with lighting that is amazing thou. Downlights and corner lighting, if done right, can make up for the windows.

I am excited to see what you do with it.

Here's a great light sconce for over the TV display unit:

https://focaldecor.com/collections/lighting/products/gilbert-modern-wall-lamp-1

Just saw your kitchen reno and it looks beautiful!

The existing fireplace is not as fine as your detailing in the new kitchen, consider painting it white as some have suggested. It will brighten and clean it up. There is no way you can ignore a fireplace wall in long and narrow room, but by including it in the overall interior design and not making it THE detail, it can successfully be non offensive and a lovely vignette.

Oh I would so do a heavy schmear or mortar wash on those stones! It would look amazing.

Like this. they did a tutorial if you want to DIY it

https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/how-to-diy-over-grouted-stone-fireplace-for-under-200/

another how-to

https://www.rebeccaandgenevieve.com/blog/2020/5/3/fireplace-makeover-using-mortar-part-1

You could also do a lime wash https://athoughtfulplaceblog.com/how-to-limewash-a-stacked-stone-fireplace/

Or a lime slurry:

or the German Schmear technique

see? a nice reclaimed wood beam is a must. (I know this is brick, but you would get a similar look

remove all the little stuff off the mantel and just do a few things (this isn't centered because I photoshopped it from another picture). replace the track lights to something better looking w/LED bulbs no bulky, oversized sofa, or dark items. you have the dark floor, an no light in there, so stay away from dark wood elements. I gave you griege sofa and light wood coffee table. (The playpen is making it difficult to photoshop anything!)

wood mantel w/art

full wall fireplace done in black with wood above

love the rustic wood mantel w/this black

Are the adults going to reclaim the space, or will it remain a kid room? I love the fireplace. I think the problem is that the room has no definition and it’s cluttered. Which is completely understandable with small children! You are to be commended to even think about remodeling. We need a floor plan once you decide who will be using the space. The lighting really needs to be updated. How do you envision using the space?

I did a romabio limewash after hearing about it on houzz. Super easy. Inexpensive. Looks great- Not a diy where I regretted not hiring a pro.

J'aurais préféré le décor en blanc qu'en noir