Cynthia Taylor-Luce I think the workmanship is very good and the transformation is quite positive. However, I wish you had put the lighting in slightly different locations, because in the 'after' picture the top panel of the fireplace is brilliantly lit and the below-mantel section is in shadow.
If you had brought the recessed lighting further into the room so it could be angled back towards the fireplace, the effect would have been improved. I can't see what trim kit you used for the recessed lighting, but I would have used one that had an 'eyeball' effect that would have concentrated the light forward (and you wouldn't be looking at bright circles in the ceiling from this view).
If you had brought the recessed lighting further into the room so it could be angled back towards the fireplace, the effect would have been improved. I can't see what trim kit you used for the recessed lighting, but I would have used one that had an 'eyeball' effect that would have concentrated the light forward (and you wouldn't be looking at bright circles in the ceiling from this view).