Help. How do i tame this fireplace?

[JustHappy3]

New (1930s built) home comes with a huge Louis XV style fireplace in it. I am at a loss on how to decorate around it. It looks too expensive to rip out.
Obviously Aztec curtains, cushions and the rug need to go. Sofas and large chandelier are staying.
Please help!

Or perhaps i just need permission / encouragemen to remove fireplace, wall lights and chandelier....

I'd just go with whatever style you want to achieve. The fireplace looks too big in proportion to the room height. Other than that, it's obv very glam along with the cornicing and the chandelier. The leaded windows would suggest a different style and the furnishings and colours are a different style book.

So best decide to what you want to achieve and start changing things accordingly.

Start with what you can't change ie sofas or carpet then work out what you can and want to change.

Please don't be stuck with a fire place because it is expensive, I am sure you could sell it on if you managed to remove it with no damage.

Decorate the room to how you want it to be. If you haven't already lost hours of your life to Pinterest, join up but use an email folder for any mail from them to go into as they do bombard you. Google search wall lights and see what you like. Also ceiling lights.

My friend has a beautiful ceiling light from Next for £60, I found almost the exact same one for £25 from Wilko. I bought the Wilko one because I needed 2 in my lounge.

If you don't like it whatever you change decor wise will never be right
I'd remove and sell on eg ebay!!!

I like it so I’d keep it!

I'd have to get rid of it but that's individual taste. It's too fussy for me and would nag me until it's gone.

Get rid of it. Offer it on Gumtree.

A really big thank you to everyone who has replied. I actually took advice to heart and sat and thought about what we wanted from the room without worrying too much about gifted ornaments, 13 year old but expensive curtains and hastily bought rugs.

Discovered that short i just want somewhere calm to sit that works for now and feels restful. Long term we want a log burner and much bigger doors into the conaervatory. Plus we both realised we don't like leaded windows!
So i nipped to ikea. Bought cushions and voiles (sp?), dithered over rugs but bottled it. Feels a lot less jarring. Some way to go but getting there and given myself permission to make b8gger changes later on. Candlesticks need to go i know!

I'd paint it pink. But my house is possibly less calming than the effect you're after!

Looks better already, OP. Nice sofas.

I’d remove it and try selling it. Then put one in your style.

Dhs ex had one like that but solid marble. With China figurines of ladies in crinolines on the top.

Great space for a lot of people to gather :) I'd probably paint the walls taupe - that will be very restful and provide less contrast between the sofas and the walls (less contrast tends to look more tranquil).

Love the taupe suggestion! It's looking better already

I'd try a large overmantel mirror (ebay locally sometimes has gems) to dwarf the fireplace a bit and create some extra dimensions. And some large wall art as per Jojo's photos. Basically creating some other focal points in the room

Oooh - been looking at taupe shades and inspired!
Worried about what to put over fireplace cos it's so big. It's almost 2/3rds of the room height. Wondering whether to go smaller than the normal width of the mantlepiece. This would just fit height wise and then i'm thinking vases/ candle stick either side. Wdyt?

I was thinking something like this. I know it's enormous but my thinking was to balance out the fireplace! Unfortunately this one is out of stock unless it's available instore:

here

What's the measurement between the top of the fireplace and the ceiling? I'm sure a rectangular mirror would work just as well either way round. I don't have much experience of shaped mirrors, I like the starburst ones with the gold surrounds

Candlesticks sound good!

Oh the mirror you posted didn't show when I first read your post! That could work!

Ask a builder/ fire place guy round. We had a huge stone mantlepiece/ horror show thing that rap the full length of the wall in our new house but the guy we got in to quote for putting in a woodburning stove said a few knocks with a sledgehammer and it'll come down easily. It might be easier to remove than you think. I think it looks nice though.