Take advantage of your tall ceiling.

IMO that entertainment center is not necessary. Get a larger TV screen & a wall hung unit for below it.

That pinky peach stone veneer is fighting with your gray walls. I'd be tempted to stain it.

The other items do seem dwarfed, so I'd try to find a new home for them. I'm not a fan of the mirror, but if you like it, I'd try turning it the other way (taller than wider), off-center it on the mantel, and then add 3 pieces of large pottery on the other side, layered. Honestly, you have a lot going on in the room - I'd opt for a large art piece and not put anything on the mantel.

@BeverlyFLADeziner BeverlyFLADeziner your mock up is stunning! Wow! I mentioned in my post that I liked the reflection in my mirror from the wall of windows. If you look out those windows you are looking at a nature preserve with one of the winding footpaths near our home. The picture you suggested in your comment looks so much like one of the trails in the fall! I showed my husband and he said, "BUY IT!". Now with that taken care of....you definitely opened our minds to the idea of painting the stone of the fireplace. We hadn't even considered that. My husband and I agree that the green bookshelf can go. Getting a larger TV is not an option though. Right now it sits on top of a very cool old trunk, that we can't let go of. So if we remove the green bookshelf we are left with an open space that I feel will need something. Baby steps, as we set up our home. But the artwork was an easy sell and we can't wait for it to arrive. I'll have to post pictures when it gets here. Thank you!

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/a-sunlit-stroll-art/416811

This canvas comes in a variety of sizes.

The variety of shades in the stone is something you want to hold on to. If you thin down black or dark gray paint and apply the thinned paint it will 'stain' the stone instead allowing the different shades to come through. It's a trial-and-error kind of thing. If you don't know if you want the stone permanently changed, you can use water-based poster paint instead. That way if you change your mind, you can wash the paint off the stone. This one is from Walmart.

Earlier someone posted (and then deleted) that the chandelier is too big, too black, and out of place. This is a difficult room to photograph in order to clearly convey the scale/height of the room and put the size of the fireplace wall into context. We replaced the previous owner's broken fan with the chandelier. We enjoy the design and light it emits, but one drawback is that the light now emphasizes how tall the naked fireplace wall is.

From your pictures it looks like the removal of the bookcase won't cause it to look empty.

You might just need to get used to the bookcase being gone.

@BeverlyFLADeziner If I like the look of the diluted poster paint, should I seal it or just keep re-applying it? I'm afraid it'll fade away with time.

Larger painting hung, all to take up some of that space. Your brick is very neutral in its color. I would not ruin it for those that come after you by painting it. Paint won't change the stack 'design', which is a more specific like than the brick color. The mantle is not well suited for that fireplace. It's too short, looks like they picked it up at Homegoods..you need a carpenter to properly fit a plain WOOD hefty chunk of a tree. More unfinished than finished.

@arcy_gw It's amazing how obvious something becomes once it's pointed out. Now that I notice the mismatch, I agree that a larger natural wood mantel would be more fitting!

It’s a lovely room and its scale is calling for larger, more visual impact to create a more balanced feel. If you like shiplap or board and batten drawing the eye up is a good idea (+ a more substantial mantle).

When accessorizing mantle, height variations/scale are important and choose things that have a connection style wise. Test until it feels right.

A larger scaled piece will also help with proportions and suggest vertical vs horizontal.

That horse head took some looking . Reminds me of an old "Everybody Loves Raymond" episode.

This isn't really useful and I don't know if it is the right place for it. But LOVE your magnolia wreath. Magnolias are the best. Really cool.

I think the mantle could be beefier. I was going to suggest one pretty much like the person who did the mock ups did. Simple rectangular hunk of wood.

@arcy_gwThe existing mantel measures 88"L x 7”H x 8"D. Because of the side walls, it can only be 88"L. However I understand your point about it appearing too small because the underside is angled in and away from the walls. So simply installing a wood beam mantel all the way to the wall would be an improvement. I agree that it has to be chunkier, but how do you judge the dimensions with 12-foot ceilings (from the top of the mantel to the ceiling)? I'm positive the thickness and depth should be greater than 7-8 inches, but I can only find recommendations ranging from 8-12 inches. That is a significant change, and I don't want it to overrun the room. It's too small right now, but I worry my choice will make it appear too big for the space.

The idea of using poster paint is that it's a temporary fix. You don't seal it. That makes it permanent. Yes, it might fade........in 10 years, but you might want to do something else in 10 years. Pick up a couple of stones at HD or a stone yard invest $5 in the poster paint and try it out on the stones so you feel comfortable with the paint and what it can do. You can always wash the stones off and try again until you get the effect you want.

The chandelier is better than the fan but the fan was likely 54" in diameter and your chandelier is not, and both elements were mounted too high in your room. The chandelier should be about 9ft above the floor so that it visually interacts with your furnishings.

The fans or chandeliers look great when they are mounted at about the level of the 2nd floor

@BeverlyFLADeziner YAY! I got the height right! The bottom of the chandelier is 9'4" from the floor. Yet, it appears I missed the mark on width since it is only 44". It is a new buy therefore we will need to appreciate it as is. Testing the stain on a stone in the yard is a great and simple idea. So easy! Please look at my recent comments regarding the size of my mantel. I would be grateful for your input.

https://www.amazon.com/Fireplace-Floating-Handcrafted-Distressed-

@BeverlyFLADeziner @arcy_gw I'm excited to share with you how my mantel is coming together, especially with the gorgeous painting above it and the hefty chunk of wood beneath it. Do you have any further thoughts for what should go on top of our recently added, wood mantel?

@shirlpp We removed the disproportionate bookcase and installed a shelf ladder. It opens it up a little while still providing a home for our treasures.

Please don't do anything to the stone. It may ruin it for future owners, like Arcy said, and you always have to think about that when making permanent changes. Someone may say it's temporary, but I think a dark color could stain it permanently. Also, what is it going to look like if it fades? It seems like it would be much easier to change the wall color, than it would be to change stone. I would move the shelf with the small items on it and allow the fireplace to be the focus.

the art looks great on its own-and so does the mantle! plus there are many things on the shelf next to the mantle, so you may want to consider leaving the mantle as is.

@Jenn-z9b-AZ The shelfcase will need to stay. But to your point that there are "many things" on the shelf, I removed a couple items to thin it. What do you think? I apologize that the color is not better...two different days and times.

I understand you have a need to display some small items but that shelf ladder is not the right vehicle, IMO. Your room is large, the windows and light fixture gigantic, the fireplace beefy and the art big.

The spindly shelf ladder is not suitable. In this setting it looks twiggy and temporary, especially right up against the handsome fireplace.

It’s a beautiful room with stunning windows. 😍

We also live in a rural area with no window treatments. Tasteful landscape lighting ensures that the windows do not become "black holes" at night.