Just bought my first house and have this empty space to fill. I am hoping to add a tv to the brick and to make a rustic mantel like the one I've attached. With the tv on the wall I am thinking I would also like to add a bookshelf/cabinet to the right to hide the DVD player and maybe movies, while also leaving room for decor.

1. The brick measures 60" across. Should I cut the mantle end to end? Past the brick or shorter than the brick? What about adding corbels?

2. How much space should I leave from the end o f the tv to the end of the brick? I was thinking of using a 55" tv, or 60" but worried the 60" might be too big?

3. Cabinets? Since my fireplace doesn't really stick out, I am worried that adding cabinets that protrude too far out will be awkward.

4. I plan on keeping the dark beams on the ceilings and need to refinish the original oak floors. I have sanded them, but now cant decide if I should go dark or stay light, maybe even natural??

Design choice are much more complicated when you are working on your own house! siiigghhhh....Any other ideas for this space would be much appreciated. Thanks!