I had taken away the built-ins that were already there. I needed more storage. So there is a medium brown floors and then a different color for three different pieces in the room that they match each other. The walls are Balboa missed. The trim is white dove, and the cabinets are Beekman beige. The empty area will be a wine fridge and a quartzite will go over the drawers in the wine fridge, then they’ll be floating shelves on above on that wall. The mantle and the shelves were going to be stained but because of the different color woods my friend thought white. What you’re seeing is primed not yet painted wiped Dove.

White dove

Sorry for this incoherent madness… And of course I wanted the fireplace area to come out 6 inches from the built-ins but for various reasons that could not happen. There will be 6 x 6” legs or posts underneath the mantle and hopefully that’ll help.. please tell me I’m not too far along to make tweaks if needed

What are you asking?

Probably asking too many things… But let’s focus on the fireplace. Should I continue to paint the mantle and then the floating shelves that will be on the wall to the left white dove right now they’re primed. Or do I scrap that and change the look of the fireplace with any ideas? I guess I’m just looking for reassurance and or recommendations for that wall. But since the built-ins are not removable than the mantle fireplace and floating shelves would be the areas to focus on. Paint Color, stain, surface Any thoughts would help. adding the 6 x 6 post under the mantle is another question I have what are your thoughts of that?

Or should I just keep with the original plan?
Thank you!

The mantle extends out way too far for a wall that is a contemporary solution. No columns should be below the mantle. Here is the mantle reduced and a TV above.

Just my 2 cents, no mantle & that way the TV can be lowered some ( preferably a Samsung frame , lol, I’ll get feedback on that ). Cleaner look without the mantle.

Very nice. I would consider painting the crown molding attached to the built-ins the same color as the built-ins - Beekman Beige- so they appear to go all the way to the ceiling.

I just noticed they're floating. I would consider adding trim all the way to the floor so they appear more solid/grounded. Maybe add a wide drawer while you're at it.

Rough sketch:

Oh my goodness your ideas are wonderful. There is hope exclamation thank you thank you.

Just be cautious. You need to check your fireplace insert specs and what is required to safely have a tv above it. The mantle woild have created a heat barrier. Without it what is your plan?

Oh ok- I shall look into. I wish I would’ve painted these cabinets. The dove white to begin with. And designed things differently, but I really have to finish this up and finalize decisions. I find design work very challenging for me. If I do the top pictures that was sent to me. I would do a smaller mantle and put the TV on top and then the fireplace itself that whole white area is that just sheet rock or do I do something else with that? And is the mantle a white distressed, wood painting, or a different a different wood painted white? There are so many details to consider that I obviously did not do when I started this project.

The cabinets are a nice color. Don't paint the mantle and floating shelves a color, keep them white or you'll have too much going on with the painted cabinets. The cabinets also have texture with the paneled doors, another element. It's a nice element but you don't want things to get too busy or your brain will be even more confused.

I like the fireplace just sheetrock and white but I like things streamlined, not fussy. Gives the eye and the brain a place to rest.

Mantle is much too wide. Remove if possible, if not then make it much narrower. No posts to the ground.

Paint the top crown above the built-ins the same color as the built-in so they actually look built-in rather than shoved beneath your crown.

I admit to hating floating shelves so take my questions with a grain of salt, but what is the purpose of them here? Will it be utilitarian - glasses and booze for a bar? Or merely a ledge for more decorative objects? You already have these objects at the top of your built-ins and I don't see having more objects on floating shelves as any kind of bonus - unless you have a beloved collection of something and not other place to display it.

Can you show us the quartzite you are using?

I really like your buffet by the way.

Thank you Tozmo1 and Kendra.
I will definitely paint the trim on top of the cabinet. It’s the same color of the cabinets. Thank you for that note. The floating shelves were to hold wine glasses on the bottom shelf and maybe framed pictures on the top. I could do away with them, but then what goes there? The area under the floating shelves would have a wine fridge next to the drawers and then that quartzite piece above both. Thinking of some kind of wine bar area. I feel that the wall everything is just flat nothing sticking out. I don’t know if that offense anyone else or is it just in my head.
If I sheet rock the fireplace make the mantle much smaller put the TV back. Does that work? Or no mantle and the TV centered in that white area?
Thank you for the compliment on the buffet.

I meant to say, I will paint the trim on top of the cabinets, the same color of the cabinets

Also meant to say the whole wall cabinet fireplace looks flat. It looks a bit odd.
I picked out the stone a while ago and don’t have a sample of that. Although that’s not etched in stone, no pun intended. Do you have a thought on what kind of surface to put above the wine fridge and drawers? Last question for the evening I think is it ugly to have the wine fridge showing in the living room or does that need to be covered if possible with a cabinet door?
Once again, I appreciate this forum. Thanks.

I have an update for for anyone who is still paying attention to this😂
I’ve decided to paint that entire room dove white instead of the Balboa mist. I’m feeling that the Beekman beige is not popping or sitting well against the Balboa mist. I’m going to make the mantle much smaller and I’m not going to do floating shells. I’m going to do regular shelves across the whole wall and paint them Beekman beige show. It looks like it continues from the built-in cabinets. I’m going to change the color of the trim on top of the cabinet to match the cabinet and also on the bottom there will be base molding to complete the bottom I think or I really hope this will look OK. My initial mistakes I’m gonna have to live with such as the design of the cabinets and the color of the cabinets.

I love the color of the cabs..

" If I sheet rock the fireplace make the mantle much smaller put the TV back. Does that work? Or no mantle and the TV centered in that white area? " I'd do the smaller mantle and put the TV above the fireplace. If you think the fireplace looks flat, then consider a large format tile but wait to make that selection until you have everything else done. You can always add it later and you'll have a better idea of what to select once everything else in in place. It's probably a personal preference to have a wine fridge exposed or not. I see a cabinet with drawers. Where is the wine fridge going in relation to that?

The wine fridge is going to the right of the drawers in that open space. I’m waiting for the solid surface sample. That’s going across both the drawers and the wine fridge. Do you have an example of what large format tile looks like on a fireplace? I understand it wouldn’t be the same. I just want to see what that is. I was thinking of hiring a local interior designer/Decorator to complete the room. Or perhaps I’m overthinking everything which would not be surprising.

Do you have any pics from farther away that show how the dining and living connect?

Yes, I’ll need to send in the morning.
Thank you

Here's a few examples. If you expand the pictures you can see the grout lines and how large each tile is.

Fireplace Makeover: Dark to Light · More Info

"Chicago Meets The Southwest" · More Info

Not suggesting these specific tiles for you but just to show the large size of each tile.

Hiring a designer is a good idea. Look for one whose past work you admire.

Oh very nice. Thank you here are pictures. Please note this room is quite a mess because of all the changes. I could’ve probably straightened it up a bit more…

I’m about to send a pictures

1st 4

2nd 4

3rd and last

Will you be removing the hutch/buffet you have now in the dining? I know it is not what you asked but the dining area seems quite crowded and an entirely different vibe than tust new things you are doing in living and nearby.

The buffet below Bob Dylan will stay the table will definitely move away. It’s there now so we can make room for all the updates. If I do decide to change any of that, that’ll be down the road. My first breakdown is this issue

The surface over the wine fridge and the drawers is called Leather Fantasy Brown. I’m trying to send a photo for some reason. I’m having a problem.

following along

I have hired somebody who’s coming Thursday. There was another Designer who I love what she does. It’ll take her a couple of weeks or her company to come here. In the meantime, I wanted to post some more pictures. In addition to the initial questions now I think I understand what people were saying on this blog. I don’t know how to tie in the dining room and buffet materials colors into the new area that is more contemporary with a built-in mantle fireplace, etc. if you have any ideas, how to blend those together, I realize that would be a miracle but any thoughts would be welcome.

I am planning to hang a large mirror above the couch centered with Art surrounding it. The mirror right now is on the couch.

If you plan to have a designer come into your home, I wouldn't hang anything more on the walls until that person can give you advice. For above your sectional, I would hang art but not a large mirror.

The sectional appears too large for the space? The fact that it creeps onto the dining carpet means it isn’t remotely staying in the living room footprint,