Hi, there … for the best suggestions, can you show a pic from further back (the entire fireplace/wall), as well as the rest of the room?

sure! excuse the boxes. we are ordering living room furniture

in the next few weeks .

What is the purpose of the soffett? Can it be removed? I notice it has lighting but is it necessary?

That’s great, thanks!

One thing I’d do for sure is remove the track lighting, if possible.

Other than new furniture, are you planning any other big changes to the room? Especially to the fireplace, such as tile, surround, etc? If not, I think you’re doing it right — keeping low pieces on there and just ignoring what’s above. Maybe wait until your furniture, lamps, etc are in there to see what direction you want to go for mantel decor.

I think its just lighting. we had talked about removing the lighting and enclosing the recess above it to make a long wall above the fireplace bit reno costs elsewhere ate our budget.

Thank you

I would remove the track lights, mantel, and molding. Then add two sculptures in the middle.

What a mess!

Simplify the architecture in this corner & adjust those lights that are shining into the room like searchlights

Stop purchasing accessories. That doesn't fix anything.

If you read what L G said, construction is not in the budget right now … so she’s looking for ideas to work with it until a time it can be changed.

As a temporary thing, I’d just have one thing, solid, centered.

I like the shape of the metal object because it does have that shape. I’d prefer it darker to pick up the stone more. An almost actual triangle or fat obelisk. But I’d not want you to go out and buy just stuff, or obsess about it. To start, just remove the end objects.

Another thing you could try, is a single small art painting, just big enough to be between mantel and soffit and a bit wider, some kind of high- contrast abstract, also centered. You could experiment with using just a piece of paper or poster board.