HI -- That's a real nice fireplace and really does not need any changes just a bigger taller painting or a wall hanging or an art piece wall sculpture.Something that soars the height. And that's all - do not touch anything else because it's beautiful and classic -- an art piece it self .

Thanks for your comment. Now that I look at it I can see that the picture is too small. Again, thank you!

Its pretty great as it is but perhaps a slight update by changing out the cabinet door on the left (paint, metal, tv, big vase in front with willows, etc). However if you want to open it up so you have a nice sight line from the front door and bring a slightly more open concept to the living room, you could remove the wood flue completely and replace it with one large or two medium flat black round stove pipes all the way up to the ceiling. It would add architectural interest while opening up the space. It is a more contemporary look for sure. I actually really like the rock so would not try to white wash it or do any treatment. The only way I would consider that is if you did a gloss black pipe and then you could do a clear gloss sealer on the rock to get a similar sheen off the rock.

One last thought, if you keep the wood flue, you could add drama to it by up lighting it. I would put small low voltage mr16's on dimmers that shot up from the wood mantle and washed the wood flue. It would be more dramatic and be more of a focal point in the room. It would also bring some light to that dark and lonely ceiling. I also agree with the first persons comments about a tall piece of art or sculpture. Something that pops - I'd go contemporary and abstract with vertical lines and bold colors with hints of that orange from the wood door and white from the fireplace rock to tie it all together.

What about just replacing the fireplace stone with glass tile, stacked stone or metal siding.

I think the fireplace is amazing and would not touch the wood. If anything I think it may be the stone that is making it look a little dated. I agree with Sodder Studio 100% If you simply change the stone to a more modern tile it will look a lot different

It looks great as is. If anything, I'd remove the art above the FP and murphy oil soap to shine all the wood and do nothing else. It's beautiful as is with no adornments. If anything..the wood ledge is a bit thin for the size of FP. I think doubling the thickness would beef up the beauty.l

Beautiful Architecture....timeless and classic! Not much change is needed unless you are simply tired of the look.

Updating the rock surround to stainless, glass or marble would be nice but why not just make a few small non-structural changes first. Then if you feel the need to make further changes you could do so gradually.

Staining the wood hearth to ebony, removing the wood box doors and filling it with decorative wood might appeal to you. Removing some of the small pieces on the hearth and adding a free-standing art work to complement a large unusual wall hanging on the wood flue would be very striking. If you decided you wanted to do lighting, as someone suggested, try two temporary spotlights directed on the wall hanging before committing to a permanent lighting system.

Best of luck to you!

Hi, try to match the stones color Witt the wood on the pipes either by re-staining the wood in a more modern grey stain , maybe same grey tone you find in the stones, or by changing the stones with a something that has browns and maply colors. Change the art work to a bigger taller art or even three complementry art works on top of eah other just to take the eyes up along the wood pipes. To add more attention to it you can add an accent light to the art wok as well.

Thanks for all these suggestions. We use the fireplace often so we always keep the wood box full. I do want to paint the doors on the wood box. In keeping the doors what would be the best color choice? I love the idea of lighting up the larger art work and having the mantle with a wider trim.