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Kelsey Chin I think you could paint the fireplace wall, more of a pop color. Darken the stain on the mantel, and then whitewash the stones.

njmomma Give the fireplace wall an accent color, that may help you to decide whether you should paint for stain the mantel.

njmomma pic:

Judith Taylor Designs I would darken the mantle pretty much like the frame around the hearth. Then paint the wall behind it one of the darker hues in the stone. I think you will like it better then.

kobley Is the frame around the hearth baby proofing? Stain the mantle if you can.

groveraxle Definitely stain the mantel dark. I think you'd like it better if you removed everything above the mantel and replaced it with one large piece of art. That saguaro photo blown up to about 2/3 the width of the fireplace would look great.

Barbara Griffith Designs Frame out around the fireplace to extend to the wall corners. Add a raised panel to the new surface, Remove the mantle and add a new one to cover the top to the ends of the new overlay. Add large corbels to the overlay to hold up the new mantel. Paint all the new wood your trim color (white). Paint all the stone black .now the fireplace will make a statement in the room and will be completely updated. Your ceiling is high and the expanded size will look more in proportion. Try it on Photoshop to see how the finished product would look.

Keitha I like groveraxie's suggestion and in addition i do agree with other comments for color on the fireplace wall but stay neutral with the wall... Maybe pulling out one of the mid-tone shades in the stone. A combination of these things would definitely give the fireplace richness and presence!

Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC Get rid of stone and tile the entire wall, from corner to corner, leaving just the fireplace opening and installing a new simpler longer mantel. Let the hearth be on the floor. It will give you a much cleaner and current look. The wall is not that long or tall and room could really benefit by making the fireplace wall the focus.

lefty47 HI -- The stone work is nice , I like the color and natural tones . If you paint an accent color on the wall it will just make the fireplace look more narrow and awkward . You need to add to the sides and put on a new mantel painted in a color that is in the stones . You could buy a cast or pre made mantel surround . Measure the stone area and how much room you have on each side (to the wall curve).

Signature Kitchen & Bath Design I like the idea of replacing the mantel. I'd go rustic with the mantle style with a reclaimed wood beam
and leave off the corbels, keep it simple. Don't paint your beautiful stone! Visit this vendor for beams and pictures- http://www.reclaimedtimber.com/Timber/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=252.

Do enlarge a photo and make the scale bigger in both height and width. The saguaro photo mentioned above in black and white or even a sepia would look great. Gray is the new it color, paint the fireplace wall in a darker gray/beige color. Try Mega Greige 7031 by Sherwin-Williams or Gray Horse 2140-50 by Benjamin Moore.

Good luck!

misecretary I think the mantle is too small for the fire place, both in length and width. Perhaps three, large black tiles on the hearth to help break up the one-ness of it

mdamron61 Install a larger mantle and replace the hearth with ones that match better with the stone.

hockey456 I think painting the mantle shelf white is what it needs

Then simplify you accessories. One large mirror or print above it with a clean-lined frame would make a lovely, timeless statement.

hockey456 Another photo

Planika how about...