Your FP looks very top heavy, and the darker tone on top just exaggerates that. I would rip out the mantle that juts out, and then cover the whole thing in new cement board, including niches, so it's a nice clean look. Add one niche for TV as in attached photo, and then tile all one colour with very large tiles.

Get rid of the ledge or shelf as it makes it look deformed. Raise the fireplace up a foot or so like in the picture posted above by MarleneM.

If you wanted to make it look less 'heavy' you could get a glass merchant to cut a mirror to size and fit on the width and glued seamless into place?

Thank you everyone for your input! Hayleydaniels and MarleneM, I was thinking of doing just that, demolishing mantle for a sleeker look. I was thinking of thinning out the base so that it just juts out maybe 4 ins. I gain walking space that way too especially since the area around the other side if it is so narrow. I was going to have a cabinet installed in that niche to house equipment. Any thoughts? Liking the idea of a shallow tv niche too. Charrette design, you nailed my taste in materials and color choices! Love your ideas!

What is the chunky white mantle made from?

I like it.

Hi, tfaelnar! Like you said in your original post, "it is such a huge focal point" in your home. So perhaps you can use it to display art you enjoy. There is enough room for a mini art gallery there. It is just an idea, of course, and I am partial to art too :) but I also think it is always better (and easier) to take advantage of the existing space and improve it instead of all out remodeling if you can help it... Raisa

Stackstone is a great choice in my opinion. These are a few projects I've done using Norstone brand panels. Hope this helps. Good luck

Duplicate post.

Apple_pie_order, I think chunky white mantle is made of cement and plaster. Hopefully, it's an easy takedown.

Dytecture, yes it's a duplicate post but don't know how to remove other post. I got a message that first post didn't go through that's why I reposted it.

You have a somewhat contemporary look to your fireplace. I had the same dilemma while renovating my whole basement myself. I used stack stone till the ceiling. Go with earth tones so as not to make that "monster" too dominant and heavy.

Sorry, in the ugly fireplace sweepstakes, you don't even come close. A bit of simplification is all this needs. Get an RF system and put your TV components somewhere else. Remove all furniture from the back side of the fireplace. That side is useless except for maybe a plant or two. Get rid of the radius bullnose tile on the hearth. Paint. I can't believe I'm saying this, but...no art.

Hi---such potential. How about a mix of stacked stone and steel---Love this one. Good Luck!
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