A new mantel for an old and awkwardly designed corner fireplace

When this fireplace was built, the builder and architect must have not considered that sometime in the future a young couple would buy the home and want to have a traditional interior. The fireplace is very close to the left wall, has a high ledge, and has a much wider right side making a symmetrical and balanced looking mantel a challenge. 

Short of remodeling the masonry, (which the homeowner was unwilling to do), there were not a lot of choices. 

Before:

After: (ready for tile and paint)