Dark or lighter shelves

The shiplap really pushes it toward Farmhouse don't you think?

You could select white shelves

IMO the tile proportion around your firebox is wrong. The tile dimension should have been same dimension all the way around the box.

"I don"t want a farmhouse style!"

But you clad in ship lap? Why? I'd remove. I'd also ask what you plan to place ON the floating shelves which give a different vibe than the look of a traditional built in.

Why is the mantel placed so high above the stone look tile? Code? Then there was a need for more tile above the box, and the mantel right above. Code is often ten or 12" above the fire box, and eight" at sides.

Personally I'd remove the ship, let it be drywall, and hang two large pieces of related art! ....unless you have the shelves well thought out.

Lose the candle sticks alongside the tv, please : )

I think there's already a bit too much going on

You’ve already got a farmhouse lean started, and open shelves will push it further. I think if you’re set on the shelves they need to match the mantle, but a better choice might be to skip the shelves and hang art.

That all makes sense! thank you! Sadly, I didnt build the house. We bought last year so the previous owners did the shiplap and tilework when they built the house.

Is adding white shelving going to make it look more cold? i think its because everything isnt styled yet but that whole wall being white (white bookcases, white fireplace, etc.) .. im nervous to add more white! but im also not good at this stuff 😂

You mentioned you didn’t want farmhouse and seeing your decor, thought you might like a more contemporary feel (dark/no mantel) and a bonus is TV is no longer prominent. Continue this feel in your accessories.

IMO the TV is in the arong place and way too high for comfortable viewing. I would not do the shelving and move the TV wall mounted on an articulating arm above one of those cabinets and a a nice piece of art above the other to balance the TV a bit of mantel decor and be done. IMO unless you have acollection of things you LOVE to display the shelves will bve your next issue and how to decorate them .

NO floating shelves would be the much better option. They only look good the first day you style them. They look dusty and cluttered in no time. Because EVERYTHING is on display, and they become a catchall for everything.

Extend the cabinetry with open cabinets, or with glass front cabinets would the far better option. They can also look busy and cluttered, but at least with glass, they won't be dusty.

Get rid of the shiplap. That sailed many years ago in the styliverse.

How about trying two very large companion pieces of art in those spaces?

I think I said that?! : ) Yup...scroll up

If you want to do floating shelves you could easily just have the shelves painted the same color as the lower cabinets. They don't have to be a wood color.

Casual Classic Remodel: Living Room · More Info