The mantel works with your wood ceiling. What exactly makes it ugly. It's just a beam of wood.

IMO I think the problem is the difference in plane between the firebox and the wood storage. Remove half of the mantle either over the fireplace or wood storage. Live with that for a bit and see what you think.

The wood has not aged well, I think. It is an orange/red color. I love the picture w iBeams you posted!

Your photo looks like the mantel is simple and works nicely with the ceiling. You say the mantel is orange/red. The ceiling appears to be the same tone…?

Your lighting color may be emphasizing the yellow/orange tones of the wood. If you are using 2700K LED bulbs, try 3000 instead.

The current mantel works pretty well with the ceiling and asymmetrical fireplace and wood box. It’s decorated minimally. Perhaps start by adding some sepia or black-and-white landscape photos in similar black frames to the mantel.

The mantle’s stain is warm, suits the stone, and works well with the ceiling and room in general. Suggest adding accessories to create a more interesting focal point, while drawing the eye away from the mantle. If it still bothers you, just restain.

You could change to metal brackets. If intetested, try Etsy.

It would look fantastic with NO mantel.

Thank you everybody! I really appreciate this. I’ll be there in few weeks and will try these out. I wish I could remove but it is so deep in there.

Is it more palatable in black?

Because of the irregular surface of the stone there are limitations as to what you can use and do. If you try to take the mantle down there may be missing stone or stone that has holes from fasteners. IMO your only option is to stain the wood a color that pleases you.