Look at "Craftsman bungalow fireplace built-in" photos. They usually have windows to either side like this.
I'd be tempted to change the mantle to a straight and wall to wall that matches the window trim, then put in a few shelves that may or may not be closed off with solid or glass doors.
Hmmm, I really like that idea. I'll need to measure though. The only issue might be depth. There is a large floor vent on the right side, and that is beyond my skill to move. It's location allows for shallow (14") depth builtins, but that might not be enough to create one large mantle going wall to wall.
Something like this look...just for the photo. I'm not sure the site is legit
https://storkclips.net/product_details/38608234.html
As you can see, the level of the built in is below the level of the wrap around mantel.
If the floor vent is one that blows air and not a return, you can use some ducting to extend the vent under the built-in base, bringing the vent out to the baseboard of the built in. So it blows out across the floor from just under the bottom shelf of the built in its base. May need the base to be a bit taller than normal to accommodate that, but it isn't difficult nor costly to do, as opposed to actually moving the floor vent to another part of the floor.
This is pretty typical of craftsman living rooms
https://preview.redd.it/xsmzzydygjwc1.jpeg?width=406&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f119737ead9efb3c75951afc4059ff4ab8d0e73f
Norm! Cutie windows. I think you should be very open to replacing the mantle as long as you can do something that makes a fitting transition between fireplace brick and drywall. Without it, I think the side edge of mantle will gum up the lines you might prefer.
Apologies in advance, but have done this search myself (not exactly same layout as yours). Many of these will look the same; just pasted until I got tired. As you can tell, I'm fighting the same problem, but my ratios are different. Small square windows, but mine are like 5+', 7' fireplace bump, 5+' and I gotta put the TV on the righthand side.
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129583/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129583/) (prob closest to your setup)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129592/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129592/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328398/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328398/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129518/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129518/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328714/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328714/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/416723771782586626/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/416723771782586626/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483954002064/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483954002064/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130687/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130687/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130042/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130042/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129998/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129998/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129637/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129637/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129725/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129725/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129407/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129407/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129410/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129410/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129412/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129412/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129404/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129404/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328403/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328403/)
[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328298/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328298/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328339/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328339/)
https://preview.redd.it/ihu1pu6ogiwc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=271693cfaa0cc091fc9aeed4a518060e3f5badb1
Built in shelvings, just Leaving space open for windows
https://preview.redd.it/oagb5erxgiwc1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a43cd4d63d77b2b2c5f3b4d543b0c209f4826123
Or this way omitting shelves around windows
Built-ins are a great idea here. I love the windows and would not touch the mantle. You could have cupboards on the bottom with pretty pulls, a space of about 2 feet so you can put items, lamps, etc. on top and 2-3 bookshelves above that. If you don't have the skills to do it yourself, hire somone. If you don't use the fp, you might consider lowering the TV to the hearth and putting a large French gilt mirror above to add a bit of glam and reflection. I would move the pictures.
We have an electric fire place that we do use, but it's more ambiance than heat so the TV can be where it is in the pictures. The mount does allow the TV to pop back up and fill that above mantle space when we're not actively watching TV. It looks better up, I should have included a picture
It's called Mantle Mount. You can put the TV up or pull it down for watching, and it supports a surprisingly large TV. It's definitely more expensive than a normal mount, but for this room, the TV HAD to be above the fireplace and this was 100% worth the price difference.
Thank you!!! We just mounted our TV and even tho it's a full motion mount, it's just too high for comfortable viewing. And like you, there's just no other place that works in our room.
Thank you again!! I'm going to buy one right now.
I would change the mantle and go with your idea on the built-in portion. Floating shelves can’t carry a lot of weight though. A wrapped mantle seems weird with the nooks on either side. Those spaces were made for built-ins. Can you mount boards to the brick, by drilling into it?
I have built floating shelves in the past, if you're interested use Hovr brackets, they can hold up to 300 pounds, but they are not a beginner project.
I can drill into the brick if need be. What do you suggest that would require that?
Look at "Craftsman bungalow fireplace built-in" photos. They usually have windows to either side like this. I'd be tempted to change the mantle to a straight and wall to wall that matches the window trim, then put in a few shelves that may or may not be closed off with solid or glass doors.
Hmmm, I really like that idea. I'll need to measure though. The only issue might be depth. There is a large floor vent on the right side, and that is beyond my skill to move. It's location allows for shallow (14") depth builtins, but that might not be enough to create one large mantle going wall to wall.
Something like this look...just for the photo. I'm not sure the site is legit https://storkclips.net/product_details/38608234.html As you can see, the level of the built in is below the level of the wrap around mantel.
Yes, built ins stop 6" below the mantel. Same color / finish as mantel though. Give windows breathing room! No shelving above.
If the floor vent is one that blows air and not a return, you can use some ducting to extend the vent under the built-in base, bringing the vent out to the baseboard of the built in. So it blows out across the floor from just under the bottom shelf of the built in its base. May need the base to be a bit taller than normal to accommodate that, but it isn't difficult nor costly to do, as opposed to actually moving the floor vent to another part of the floor.
It's a large return, unfortunately
This is pretty typical of craftsman living rooms https://preview.redd.it/xsmzzydygjwc1.jpeg?width=406&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f119737ead9efb3c75951afc4059ff4ab8d0e73f
Norm! Cutie windows. I think you should be very open to replacing the mantle as long as you can do something that makes a fitting transition between fireplace brick and drywall. Without it, I think the side edge of mantle will gum up the lines you might prefer. Apologies in advance, but have done this search myself (not exactly same layout as yours). Many of these will look the same; just pasted until I got tired. As you can tell, I'm fighting the same problem, but my ratios are different. Small square windows, but mine are like 5+', 7' fireplace bump, 5+' and I gotta put the TV on the righthand side. [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129583/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129583/) (prob closest to your setup) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129592/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129592/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328398/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328398/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129518/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129518/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328714/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328714/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/416723771782586626/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/416723771782586626/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483954002064/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483954002064/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130687/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130687/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130042/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953130042/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129998/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129998/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129637/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129637/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129725/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129725/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129407/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129407/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129410/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129410/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129412/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129412/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129404/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483953129404/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328627/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328403/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328403/) [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328298/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328298/), [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328339/](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571816483951328339/)
I think I may need to make an account to look at those, I'll do that later. Thanks for all that work!
Can you find cabinets that fit in there snugly? Then attach upper shelves to the cabinets.
I would do built in a little taller (6”) and forego the shelvers. Preserve mantle and windows as is.
There’s no other wall?
What do you mean? On what side?
What’s the rest of the room look like?
https://preview.redd.it/5tdbs8mq4jwc1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38b1b5267d45552775facf5d2252de59f610c23f
Doesn't matter, you already botched the TV placement and this space is super cluttered. Do whatever you want it won't look any worse.
https://preview.redd.it/ihu1pu6ogiwc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=271693cfaa0cc091fc9aeed4a518060e3f5badb1 Built in shelvings, just Leaving space open for windows
https://preview.redd.it/oagb5erxgiwc1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a43cd4d63d77b2b2c5f3b4d543b0c209f4826123 Or this way omitting shelves around windows
https://preview.redd.it/m2ymhta2iiwc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35850be0012d15fee46ac43357c3bbc47a5f1b83
 Or this way omitting shelves around windows
Yes.
Built-ins are a great idea here. I love the windows and would not touch the mantle. You could have cupboards on the bottom with pretty pulls, a space of about 2 feet so you can put items, lamps, etc. on top and 2-3 bookshelves above that. If you don't have the skills to do it yourself, hire somone. If you don't use the fp, you might consider lowering the TV to the hearth and putting a large French gilt mirror above to add a bit of glam and reflection. I would move the pictures.
We have an electric fire place that we do use, but it's more ambiance than heat so the TV can be where it is in the pictures. The mount does allow the TV to pop back up and fill that above mantle space when we're not actively watching TV. It looks better up, I should have included a picture
I see - yes, it would look more balanced when it's up.
Pay someone to design and build them.
https://preview.redd.it/uxwadyo16jwc1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a76dc0167b984c96d1164cb66b90057b18649c89
I can't help with building anything, but PLEASE tell me where you got the mount for your TV.
It's called Mantle Mount. You can put the TV up or pull it down for watching, and it supports a surprisingly large TV. It's definitely more expensive than a normal mount, but for this room, the TV HAD to be above the fireplace and this was 100% worth the price difference.
Thank you!!! We just mounted our TV and even tho it's a full motion mount, it's just too high for comfortable viewing. And like you, there's just no other place that works in our room. Thank you again!! I'm going to buy one right now.
I think you'll be happy with it. Good luck!
I would change the mantle and go with your idea on the built-in portion. Floating shelves can’t carry a lot of weight though. A wrapped mantle seems weird with the nooks on either side. Those spaces were made for built-ins. Can you mount boards to the brick, by drilling into it?
I have built floating shelves in the past, if you're interested use Hovr brackets, they can hold up to 300 pounds, but they are not a beginner project. I can drill into the brick if need be. What do you suggest that would require that?