I have some additional questions related to my family room that I posted yesterday. I appreciate everyone who is responding and I welcome your comments. Attached are photos of my fireplace. On both sides of fireplace we currently have cedar wood. On the walls we have the same going half way up. We are removing the cedar on the walls and painting the room a warm brown. All of our floor trim, crown molding and chair rail will be white. The trim piece on each side of fireplace will be white. Our flooring is oak and cherry color. My dilemma is what to do with the cedar on both sides of fireplace. Can we stain it another color to compliment the fireplace? A cherry stain? Or should we paint it same color as walls being a warm brown? My husband likes the wood look on sides of fireplace but he is willing to stain or paint. Please help and thank you