Modern brick, probably modern mortar, and the joints are way too fat.

Raised hearth and short wide firebox are 1980, not 1890.

Casey

Yes, I agree it is 1980s but how do I fix it know. I have put a lot of research & effort into this renovation. This fireplace is suppose to be beautiful 1890s. It is centrally located between the kitchen & living/family room. Was thinking of adding an antique mantel to the front. It would breakup the over the top bricky feel.

You don't need a mason. You need a fireplace expert who employs a mason. Big difference. If you're not careful here, you can create a dangerous to use smoke belching creosote tinderbox. Not to mention a hideous dangerous to use smoke belching creosote tinderbox. Your insurance company probably won't be very happy that you decided to restore that to usable condition. Decorative condition with the proviso that fire never touches it, sure. You might want to talk to them about that before they decide to cancel you.

Thanks Holly springs. That was actually the first step we took. We had a chimney company & inspect all of the chimney & fireplace. Someone in the 80's replaced the entire liner/box. The chimney specialist said its one of the best. No issues with burning in it. The masons are also employees of the chimney company. So we're all checked out on that side.

Now what??? Tear down & start over? Add a vintage mantel? Distress brick more? These are reclaimed bricks. I really do not like it.

Now what??? Tear down & start over? Add a vintage mantel? Distress brick more? These are reclaimed bricks. I really do not like it.

Walls, plaster, millwork, flooring. Tile surround and a fancy mantel. no exposed brick, please.
Casey

You say you did research. In that research did you find any photos of how you thought it should look? Please share.

That giant monstrosity has to go. What were they thinking?

As Casey said, you shouldn't even see any bricks in a house of your vintage. Tile and mantel only. The elevated firebox is bad as well. Can you lower it?

Is that on a slab?? What is holding up the massive pile of bricks they added, since it extends beyond the original chimney stack?

Attached is one of many pics (I am not sure how to add more then one) that we looked at. It is from a renovated 1882 house.

We really wanted to save the chimney. So that apparently lessened the options of what to do. Unfortunately, the firebox cannot be lowered. That was our first preference.

It is on a crawlspace. The original brick that was still there for the fireplace wasn't exactly small either. We (and all of the many people working on the house) haven't been able to exactly establish the history of this fireplace and it's placement. It seems that at one time it would have been on an exterior wall. But, then all of the old 2x4's and beadboarding, etc. match exact to the now living room. The best guess is that this was part of an addition that was added in the 1920's. The original part of the house is 1890-1900.

As of right now the plan is to add an antique mantel. And tile the hearth with vintage tile. Guess we'll see from there.

It does not look like it could pass inspection. Has the inspector seen it?

I think you have the right to demand it be redone. The finished product looks nothing like your inspiration picture.

You have my sympathy.

You can't add an antique mantel unless you elevate the hearth. It would have nothing to stand on.

The fireplace photos in the attached real estate listing are perhaps more similar to your situation. FWIW, I would not accept the result 'as is' because it is so at odds with your vision for the house.

Here is a link that might be useful: old brick fireplace

I would ask that you imagine that space without the fireplace. I removed a 100+ yr old petrified wood fireplace and opened the whole place up. We had masses of folks for T'giving and the open space was great. I have a Vermont Castings stove that will go against one wall yet to go in, but it won't impact the space...much;)

I think you would be happier with a stove. They heat better and are safer and you can get one that gives the open fire option or at least the glass viewing area. As it stands now every time you walk through that room you will have to do a doe see doe around the fireplace.

I think that your fireplace is 1980 vintage. Someone conveniently transposed a few numbers in the original description.

The wall was removed and the fireplace closes it up again, it would look better with a half wall across the room or remove the fireplace to open it up again. You could also build a new fireplace against the outside wall. my thoughts.