Go to a store that sells fireplace surrounds and see what is available. It looks like your surround in too skimpy for your fireplace. Also, since your woodwork is white, maybe as a last resort, paint the surround white. Your shiny brass can be painted with heat resistant paint if you want. Can you take a picture from farther away so we can see what the rest of the wall is like?

Also, there is a fireplace forum. They might have more ideas for you.

Well it's not a total disaster, but I agree the style is lacking. I think the Oak mantle and spindles look really cheesy. Remove them first and then take another look at it.

That mustard yellow wall, did you inherit that as well? I don't think the yellow paint goes well with the yellow wood floor or the yellow brass.

I'm sorry I never responded y'all, I've been really busy! Anyway, yes I inherited these walls, it's awful I know! And this is just my living room, I haven't even shown y'all the kitchen! So here's a better picture. I agree the spindles on the mantle are an issue, I'd really like to rip the entire thing off the wall and start over from scratch, but I'm trying to do this on a REALLY tight budget (my husband seems to believe it's fine the way it is), I've considered making the spindle part of the mantle a solid leg, figured I'd nail plywood around it and then paint it all white, I'd love to rip the gold out and put a screen but I'm not sure that'd work because a screen wouldn't be tall enough.. This whole house is a nightmare, I feel like I'll never be able to fix it!

Here's another one.. The only thing I like about my living room is the skylights!

It just really needs a better color of paint.

Get rid of the spindles and install paint grade poplar 1x4 trim where the spindles were. Paint the mantle and the poplar trim satin black or the white trim color of the room.

Pick some better colors for the walls.

Replace the ceiling fan with something more stylish, and probably larger for the room.

Change the window coverings to horizontal blinds or louvered shutters.