Fireplace mantel? White cast stone mantle with rustic stone panels?

It depends on what else is in your room and the look you are going for. Personally I don't like the television above it as it looks too small for the space but that is your preference. Since it would be quite a job to remove and replace I would decorate around it.

It is a lovely contrast. But, if you would like it to blend more, you can apply a white wash over the stone. A solution with less commitment would be to decorate your mantle with both light and dark colored elements to bring the two together.

Thank you. How would you do a white wash?

Interesting technique, thanks for sending. Oh, and the TV is fine where it's at. It was designed that way from the builder and the wall doesn't conduct heat. Thanks again.

The stone mantle looks way too heavy....perhaps you could use it somewhere else in your home. A heavy wood mantle without any surround would look wonderful with your brick.

Remove tv and place somewhere else. I huge piece of art would look better above the fire place (that is a huge space so bring attention to it). Lighten the bricks so there isn't so much difference between the mantel and the brick. Right now there is a lot of contrast so much that is overwhelming.

As a designer, two things, I do not like tv's over fireplaces, it is not neck friendly, and second, The fireplace surround is not in proportion with the rest of the fireplace. The dark stone accents that fact. It may not be easy to remove. I like the stone but the surround is an eyesore. If you do not want to remove it, try painting it a grey stone color to blend more with the stone. Its a focal point and not in a good way. If you decide to keep your tv there then it needs to be bigger.

Personally I love the contrast. The fireplace is usually a focal point in the room. This draws your eye to it immediately.