This was the first coat of paint, it looks better now, and the tv is mounted

You could bump out the wall over the fire place and attach shutters one to each side then you could shut the doors to hide the tv. And then a Wall sconce on each side that's either electrified or just plain candles in it. Just an idea maybe the shutters could be painted blue what ever blue your using and scrape some off to make it look old world and then your candles could be blue also. Another thing you could do is put a shelf on each side of the tv but just a little up from the mantle and you could put some things on that also. Then the Sconces above the shelf.

Interesting wall paper.

Beef up your fireplace surround and mantle. I think a nice white surround overlapping the brick with interesting trim work and a larger mantle would really make that wall.

thanks! any ideas on what to do on the wall space on either side of the tv?!

Add a floating shelf on either side, so it looks like it flows from the mantle and is incorporated with the bead and batten. That will add dimension. You can then place books, vases, lamps, or whatever on that shelf to give it warmth. It will also make it fun to decorate for the holidays. Then you can find a mirror or art for either side. I would even hand a deer head on one side and maybe a deer art print on the other side.

Built in bookcases/shelves white

Jacqueline, I think a nice piece of art over the fireplace would be great! It would create a focal point in the room and add to the decor. A solution to having the tv & the art would be TVCoverUps. Framed art(including your own) or mirror would instead be over the fireplace, with the hidden TV and Entertainment Consoles beneath. Available in Automated & Manual lifts and allows for TV tilting hardware.
See how EASY it really can be:

You could put up some complimentary pieces of art on either side to give the walls some life. If you have an iPad there's a app called ARTtwo50 that allows you to digitally hang original art on your walls before you buy it.

I really like the idea of shelfs above the border. Can anyone send me pictures of how you'd style the shelfs? thanks!

I love ORANGECAMERA'S idea about the branches!! Some sort of earthy looking sconces would show case that area also!

A bunch of pictures. Looks like you've got kids!

I thought this was fabulous. Crystal antlers!.......... http://www.etsy.com/listing/118246190/swarovski-crystal-rhinestone-deer-antler

Thanks ksik. This is what I had in mind.

orangecamera, that is a great look! Perhaps you can find a wrought iron branch as a sculptural piece for the wall, the black would go with the fireplace surround and you could decorate the branch for holidays.

Thanks Lidia. A real branch could be spray painted black.

Here's some shelf décor ideas! I'd minus the kale lol and put the shelves coming out from the mantle. Maybe on the first section on top of the shelf décor have a family quote, although used a lot I still love quote decals on a wall.

I would put the decal over the first vignette shelf, and stage it like the picture above, but do different ideas on both sides, maybe the second shelf area still use one plant but no clock maybe candles, use different heights.

Antlers work anywhere and mix with other things, so go for it! Be sure to replace the fan with an antler chandelier!