Great call Addison design. My thoughts exactly!

HI -- I think it would look more interesting to have matching decorative accent cabinets . Then have paintings or mirrors above each . Look at Horchow.com or Onekingslane.com . You could also have Asian style cabinets or étagères in a great color or with hand painted details . There is also some great stands in chrome and mirror .

Built-ins like the comment above.

Addison Design wins!

Definitely built-ins! For a more contemporary look could use a combination of floating shelves.

Built-ins - if you want this to be a focal point rather than a detriment to the room - go custom built-ins. That large step up hearth is really not attractive (sorry), it really is off-putting because I like to snuggle up next to the fireplace, and this is almost putting it on a stage saying you have to stay away! I'd get rid of the large hearth, make it more approachable.

Floating self & or free standing bookcase is nice.

You can sit there.

A tv next to FP.

Built ins or freestanding bookcases(I like the ones with wood shelves and upright iron holding them together) or you could put some dramatic/over scaled, tall pieces of art there over chests

Mock up with built-in.

flat overhead lights beaming down. floating glass shelves. find a good, beautiful, appropriate fire screen. i can see 1 or 2 unique pots with tall grasses of varying kinds & colors. no enclosed storage areas. no mantle after-thought. if you hang something above the insert, make it a family portrait.

Built ins are the number one answer, and my own home has built is similar to those shown in this discussion. But they are fairly expensive, so you should let us know if other ideas would be welcomed.

Can we see the platform part and how it aligns with the floor? Just comment here and use the AI button to add more pix.

what about something like this on either side?

http://deciture.com/shop/decor/9/norman-wyatt-culture-shock-panels-set-2/

The open space begs for artwork or cool speakers, or a combo of both like the Bose 901 series or Magnepan speakers. Both are higher-end speakers and very Bauhaus.

Full wall entertainment on left side. Cabinet on right side to leave room for large art piece above. Matching both sides is dreary.

So far I added these pieces to have a sense of home but I thank everyone for the suggestions as it was most helpful. I'm considering breaking into the kitchen which is right behind the fireplace, anyways you motivated me enough to start decorating.

your currnt picture reveals the fireplace and sidesar elevated, which would suggest, to me at leaat, that builtins would not be all that good. i really like how you have decorat it. top job!

I'd suggest floating shelves for a more contemporary look. Similar to this [houzz=]

you have great taste. i'm attaching a photo i found that makes me think of you designed by John Lum, an architect i greatly admire, yet i like your own decorating better. i still think a bit of soft, overhead, inset lighting would help.

It is so beautiful. Please don't hang a TV above it. Build a cabinet to one side with doors for the TV.