Is your ceiling wet? Is there any water damage/leak? In that case that should be taken care first!!

Oh this sounds exciting for you Max. There are so many possibilities out there. I can see it all done in a wonderful stone tile surround and mantel, or a simple marble around the firebox and over a raised hearth with a rich warm wood stained surround and mantel. Have you tried Google Images for fireplaces yet? That's always a great start.
If your budget would allow it a couple nice bookcases on either side would work well too. Either tall or half height to store your favorite books or videos in.

The house was abandoned for six years and I moved in late last summer. I've had the roof replaced. New insulation will be installed in the next two weeks. I'm scraping off the popcorn ceiling texture myself (thank heavens no asbestos!) and then having a professional install knockdown texture on the ceilings. After the knockdown texture is installed I will apply kilz or similar product and then paint.

Since the house needs a lot of work and I have a very limited budget, the fireplace is a DYI project. Decorating is not my area of expertise so I will really appreciate any suggestions for finishing the fireplace area.

BTW. I installed the 6" recessed light over the fireplace and will install eyeball trim and dimmer switch when the ceiling is done and I can afford the materials.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I can't begin to tell you how helpful this site has been!

As always, a girl named Max (who lives in the middle of a construction zone. LOL)

Congratulations on living in a construction site - it's the perfect reason to never have a spotless home! I'd suggest the fireplace be in keeping with the style of the house, but whatever you choose, please don't use faux stone - nothing looks more artificial. Just my 2 cents.

We're beginning the process of having to decide this, too. IMO it will do best if it can talk to other design elements in the house, usually the more significant ones. And by "talk to" I don't mean match up completely, unless you want that--it can also be in the same idiom, but not the same material. What is the outside of the house made of? What is the countertop (or the flooring) in the kitchen or elsewhere? What's visible from the fireplace area? Is there any tile laid anywhere that it could relate to? What is the style of wood trim in the house? If you're planning to hang art over it, you probably don't want a big 'feature' surround, like a figural custom mosaic or anything *too* attention grabbing, so there, I've already ruled out one possibility. That should get us started :)

Hi Max! I like the tile ideal also. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it sure would add character to the FP. You'd just need to tile the bottom half below the mantel, so that shouldn't be too much work, then paint the top half.

If it's a woodburning FP and you'll use it often, make sure you have adequate space for the hearth.

You'll like having an eyeball light above the FP on those nights you want to feel cozy. Just make sure you have it on a dimmer switch though, it makes a world of difference!

I like the suggestion to flank the FP with bookcases.

Very cool to have a brand new canvas to paint! I would go simply. Whatever tile or slate you like and a simple mantle for that painting to sit on, I like a nice big ole solid block of wood for a mantle. The hearth could be done with the same tile choice. Can't wait to see the result :)

I have a fireplace similar to yours and just finished its makeover. We used slate ledge rock veneer (real stone) to face the front and sides and an antique oak beam as a mantle.

During remodel

Almost done

New hearth in progress (no "after" pic yet)

Your local building codes will most likely have requirements for the size of the hearth - I'd suggest checking with the authorities on that piece.

I'd do a wraparound mantle, covering all sides of the bump out. I'd make the entire project consistent with the style of your home.

here's another place to look:

Here is a link that might be useful: this is *great* for ideas

I didn't know there were building codes for hearths! But we live in the country and don't have to worry about such things. Our hearth is pretty long and deep.

Judd, that's one gorgeous FP! Love the stone and especially the stone for the hearth. Our hearth is different from the FP also and I love sweeping it. :)

gnm

Good for you! you have great bones to work with -

I would suggest a nice porcelain tile for the hearth - I happen to really like Dal Tile Continental slate - I have it installed in our mud area & powder room - in Brazilian green. It would likely fit your budget.

How about searching for a nice mantle in salvage - You can either do the surround in continental slate or look at stone yards to see if you can find a budget friendly stone - or remnants -

Building codes do adhere to combustibles within certain distances of the actual firebox - usually 8-12" - that would apply regardless of your geographic area. Ck you local building dept they will advise

good luck

Maybe you could do something like this.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace makeover

Thanks, Oakley - DH just finished the grout last weekend so I guess I need to start including the hearth in my sweeping duties :-D

I love the Lettered Cottage fireplace makeover!

juddgirl2 your fireplace is gorgeous!