Fireplace mantel question!?

We are adding a family room with fireplace....I need opinions as to if I can put an oak or pine or darker mantel with my white woodwork? My Mom says yes, but my husband and I think it might look crazy with anything other than white. Our furniture is not all white, so it seems logical that it can be any color, but would it look better if it flowed with the woodwork? We have two higher windows on each side that have white woodwork on them too. Just need decorator opinions. I have tried finding pictures of fireplaces that the mantel doesn't match the woodwork and I'm finding it difficult to find such pictures! Thanks!