Not sure what you mean by "Update the fireplace insert". Are you referring to the glass doors, or the entire brick front?

Also, the mantel is way too high for this fireplace. You may want to consider using a non-combustible steel mantel that can be lowered closer to the fireplace opening. I cannot tell from your pictures of there are bricks that stick out under the mantel.

Please provide more details.

Take a better pic so we can see the wall on either side . IMO the wall on the sides is worse than the FP. Kind of a mismatch of styles in the spaces next to each other too,.

I'm open to any changes now. We'll get a new black insert anyway, and I'm wondering what to do with any/all of the fnishes- brick, color etc. The bookcase backs are a muted red, as is the couch. the rest of the walls are white with walnut trim- original 1970. It will definitely end up an eclectic mix, as we like, but looking for ideas... I guess I need to declutter again!

I see what you mean about the shelves gone, and "neutralizing the accessories. It's much calmer. . This is the only gathering space- no family room, so I need to find other spaces (bedrooms) for photos, etc.

Hallways are a great place for family photos, especially the more private hallways around the bedrooms. You can see them up close, and they liven up a space that has little else going on.

I don’t hate the shelves per se, but I don’t understand why the walls just there are RED and the shelves themselves look a little thrown together. If you are handy adding 1/2 face frames and then painting everything the wall color would make the fireplace the focus. I don’t think the faux painting works- the green marble too much contrast with the brick (opposite on the color wheel) and too formal with it. Strip it or just faux grain it to match the brown woodwork.

Google "Mantle slip covers" and you'll find ideas for making or buying wood covers. They are hollow and go right over your existing one. Choose a wood colour that is similar to your walnut trim.

When a new rug is in the budget, consider a simpler pattern than your checked one, which doesn't seem to complement your style, or the other rug.

I agree that the muted red walls would look better painted the other wall colour. They are similar to the fireplace colour, and so they "read" as fireplace, which makes the fireplace seem too large for the space. The fireplace proportion is better on its own. I like the brick, and it ties in to your sofa and chair colour.

I was thinking that the red, the primary accent color in the room, matching the large red leather couch, would make the shelves recede, make the shelving items and brick less noticeable(?). If white, what would you place in the shelves, if leaving the white verticle space empty, as suggested above?

Interestingly, when we bought the house, the mantle was a walnut stained rough carved fake slab (hollow), that I turned inside out, faux painted, and put back up. We have kept the walnut trim throughout the decades and I'm so glad I didn't jump on the white trim bandwagon! Also glad that the brick isn't old or rustic looking. So highlighting the brick will modernize it... And remove or at least declutter the shelves. Also, what are 1/2 face frames? I'll look into them.

Thank you for all your insights!

I confess that I don't like the look of shelves with pictures or decor items, so I would do away with them altogether.

Sorry 1 by 2 or lumber that’s 3/4” by 1 1/2”. No the red in the alcoves makes it look disjointed. I would paint the red the wall color asap then go from there.

I'd Paint the entire thing white to match other walls. Every inch of it. Keep the brick? Then walls behind shelves to white as the other.

Replace the shelving with walnut, thicker please.

New mantel would be great, same walnut as shelves

Limit what goes on the shelves. Limit framed photos to the best. buy a revolving digital frame that holds a thousand!

Clean up the whole place, both areas - clutter kills. : )

The height of the mantle may be a function of its depth. There is a formula for how many inches of depth you can have per how many inches it is above the opening of the firebox.

We all get used to our surroundings and looking for advice can be a ripple effect with one change usually leading to another.

Hope this helps. I’d connect the entire wall (thus rooms) by painting the sides of the fireplace the same shade. Unfortunately the two rugs are very different, color and style wise. If/when replacing a rug, coordinate/pull both areas together with your choice.

Changes will lighten and refresh.

Change mantle (look on line to help decide on its characteristics, plus get ideas around accessorizing it and the shelving). Replace or paint insert. When complete if you find the brick feels too dark, take the leap and paint or whitewash.

Good visuals just above : ) albeit with more beef and thickness to the shelving!

I would not paint the fireplace, but I'd lose the red around it -- the red makes the fireplace look like it's super-wide.

I would like to see a non-red color for THE WHOLE ROOM, not just the niche.

Here's my take:

• Remove the existing shelving and paint the walls to match other walls.
• Add mantel cap with matching floating shelves
• Add a great looking Custom Wrought Iron Fireplace Door
• Decorate shelves sparsely (not shown).

By: Fireplace Treatments

Wow! Love these ideas! I'm excited to remove shelves and make thick walnut against the white. And replace(and lower if possible), the mantle. I'll definitely replace the (intended to be temporary) mismatched rug at right, and declutter too.

It's funny g how when you live in a place for so long you don't see it anymore. I needed your new eyes! Thanks!

If you don't want to leave the niches empty, closed storage may be more useful to you than display for decorative items.

I like the idea of the empty space, partim, and after painting white, will see if I can leave it empty. The kids are all gone, so we're trying to pare down anyway. It will be a good test.!

Grateful for your ideas!

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Painting the wall behind the shelves in the same wall colour would make the room seem so much brighter. I would replace the mantel to a wood one. And, I've changed a few accessories in the room for more contrast and an updated look... The area rug in the adjoining room should coordinate for the one in the living room.