is that an original fireplace surround (I can't tell from the pics)... if it is I would leave but I would definitely paint the picture rail white. Maybe the white fire wouldn't go with the bricks at the bottom or the insert tiles. What colour are the walls ? I think I would paint the pic rail white, walls a light stone or chalk white & leave the fireplace as it is

I think I would paint the pic rail the same colour as the walls to make it blend in (is a hassle to remove and make good, unless you are ok to redecorate the whole room).
Re the fire surround, it would look good painted black or really dark grey to tie in with the cast iron insert.

Hello,

White would look great, you could also pick off white or maybe very light peppermint green, perhaps light blue ?

Good luck with your Project!

Is the picture rail original as it looks quite low? If not I would be tempted to remove. If it is, I would paint it the same colour you opt for for the wall as it's chopping the room in half at the moment. I'd probably also paint the shelves to blend with the walls. I'd go for either a stone or grey for the fire surround to blend both with the cream tiles and the dark hearth.

I would paint the picture rail and the fireplace surround to match the crown molding. It's a very nice room.

I would also consider painting the bookshelves and their supports as well. They aren't really a feature or architecturally significant, but most of us like books or interesting pieces in our rooms and we need shelves. Too many horizontals with such high ceilings should be minimized. Let the space soar!

No , please leave it as it is !! I love your leather and natural wood together - it's beautiful .

Yes - paint them both. The picture rail does look a little low, but if keeping I would match it to the coving. Fireplace should be painted in Eggshell (try an off-white/french grey rather than bright white) - look at Little Greene paints - they have varying shades of the same colour which combine really well.

If it isn't too much hassle I would get rid of the picture rail unless it is original. Otherwise I would paint it. I would also paint the shelves. The fireplace is not totally necessary (you do have a brown leather couch) but it might be nice painted.

The top shelf is ruining the line of the picture rail and since you aren't really using it, I'd take it down. Leave the picture rail and paint it an off-white with an element of yellow in it. Paint the shelves the same colour. The walls can be 2 different light tints of golden yellow, the darker one below the picture rail. I'd take out the brick hearth, which is not original, and put down a stone hearth to match the original stone which is still visible on the floor, Leave the surround as it is, varnished wood.

For more colour in the room, pick out 2 colours from the fireplace tiles and have cushions in those colours. Also, a more colourful rug would lift the browness of the sofa, table and floor.

Definitely paint them, it would transform the room. I would go for a Dove Grey and a paler grey on the walls. Have fun!

yes paint them white. the victorians did have white paint! not everything has to be bare wood. i would also paint the shelves white and the supports to match the wall. the mantlepiece will need a good primer and undercoat to cover the varnish.

i would also paint the skirting boards for a neater look.

Thank you for all your thoughts. They're very helpful indeed! The brown leather sofa isn't mine so won't be staying (another challenge to pick a new one!)

I'm going to take the plunge and tackle the fireplace and picture rail : )

I'll match the picture rail to the coving and the fireplace an off-white. Then sort out the dark shelves after. The walls may have to wait until a few pay days time! I'll try and do an 'after picture' but may be some time away! Thanks all.

I would paint the picture rail and shelving white. Paint the walls a light colour. Leave the fireplace for the time being and see how it looks and If you can live with it. If not paint the fireplace white. My daughter painted hers white and it looks great. Her walls are also white.

We bit the bullet and painted all the woodwork and fireplace so lovingly stripped 30 years ago. No regrets - we think it looks great - features retained but the room's pulled together in a more contemporary way.

Paint the picture rail and leave the rest

Hi - I wouldn't paint the fireplace or the mantel - particularly if it is the original, the fire surround tiling looks original possibly I can't tell from the pick.

I would remove the picture rail completely, then I would build white cupboard doors and box in your book shelves then build a matching pair of door cupboards and and mount on the right handside of the chimney breast - wall mount your TV and satellite box etc on a tilting cantilever bracket with a shelf either above or below to store all your DVD's xbox games etc..

The doors are easy to make from MDF or tongue and groove, paint them white ( or cream and they will hide and safely store all your bits and pieces.) Choose hinges that you like to set it off.

Then when you look at your fire place your eye will be drawn to it as a focal point, cosy in winter, lovely flower vase or plants when not in use, and by disguising any clutter and raising the eye level your room will look bigger too! - let us know what you do and post an updated pick !

I am sitting at the moment in a very similar room, the only differencies
are that the tiles of the fireplace are bottle green and the picture
rail is higher than yours. The ceiling and the walls above the picture
rail are painted white, the rest of the walls are some creamy colour,
which we consider chainging in the future. The picture rail, door
architrave, skirting boards, and the mantlepeace are painted white -
looks like oil based paint, I suppose eggshell would look better. When
we decide to redecorate, I would choose another neutral shade for the
walls below picture rail and white eggshell for the mantlepiece and wood
trims but the general colour scheme will remain the same.

If you click on the picture, you'll see the ceiling. The picture in the comment is cropped.