I don't know why you would want fancy woodwork abover this -- it seems out of place with the rest of the room. I'd just remove the garland, get a nice piece of art to hang over the fireplace, and call it a day! maybe a pretty screen?

I wouldn't paint the door frame white after all that work went into stripping it! It's difficult to imagine the entire space from just one photo, but I suspect that all that white is the reason you want some color. You could paint just one wall, or wallpaper just one wall. I agree that hanging the right piece of art above the fireplace would look good.... for a farmhouse look and that fireplace, I'd go with folk art.

I think first you need to clarify exactly what you think wainscoting is ?Are thinking shiplap type trim? Wainscoting in not usually put up high above something. I do agree take that material off the mantel and add a fab pice of art above the mantel and be done .Maybe aa color from the art for a color just on that wall area above the FP. It also is nice to show pics of maybe your living room to see your actual decor

(also wainscotting) us/ˈweɪn.skɑː.t̬ɪŋ/ uk/ˈweɪn.skɒt.ɪŋ/ an area of flat, rectangular pieces of wood or another material that are attached to the lower parts of the walls in a room, or the wood, etc. that is used in this way: Varnished wainscoting covered the lower half of the dining and living room walls.Sept 7, 2022

Thanks for the comments so far.

Re: door frame- yes it was a lot of work to stop the paint but we’d have to do that 20x more to have flow throughout the house. We stripped the paint because the paint on these frames were caked on.

Re: design of the rest of the house - everything is under construction but the design will be a clean, traditional, and modern.

Re: wainscoting - attached is an example of wainscoting above a fireplace. I would want the surrounding walls as well at about the height shown in the picture, but you all may be right that it’s not the right look for this room. I’ll add more pictures shortly.

I do plan to add a nice painting or mirror above the fireplace, so appreciate the notes on that. The garland is temporary. It’s my one fall decoration so far 😄

Traditional and modern are two very different styles. Usually the combination of the two is referred to as transitional. This must be an old house so maybe that's what has setup the conflict. If you really like modern but you're living in an old house you have a bit of a dilemma, but the Brits especially do a good job of having modern interiors in old houses. If I were you I would pause a bit on making changes and try to refine your style more. I don't think the paneling you show is the right thing. Truthfully, I would paint the room something other than white, such as green. It might just be the wrong shade of white. It doesn't look complementary to the floors or the fireplace. But maybe that's just the lighting in the picture. How does it look IRL? The natural wood trim with the white door doesn't look right. I know it's daunting to strip all the woodwork, but you could just do this space. You don't have to commit to doing the whole house.

If you haven't already, compile an Ideabook and look for pictures of older homes that have a modern touch. That should give you some ideas. Your fireplace probably once had a large mantelpiece similar to what is in the first picture.

This Old House Family Room · More Info

This Old House - Belmont Victorian · More Info

Yes, transitional signs like the right description. I want to bring an old farmhouse into the 21st century but want to make choices that appear timeless and honor the old characteristics.

Attached are more photos in the AM light. The first picture was taken at night.

I don't think that the white is doing you any favor in this room. Try to think what color might appeal to you and/or mesh with other furnishings.

What a cool house. Definitely wouldn't add wainscotting above fireplace. Just restore what already exists.

Victorian Foyer · More Info

Emily — Great choice to pass on any “wall board” be it wainscoting or paneling, for now. Even an amazing, unique mirror above the fireplace would reflect the light in the room and bounce color around. You are going to do great things, and asking for ideas is wonderful.