How you redo the fireplace depends on how you are redoing the rest of the place and to what extent. Are you going for a particular style or period or theme?

The feature that dates your fireplace most is the diagonal placement of the wood surround. Painting or restaining it will just make it look like an 80s fireplace painted or stained. Our screened porch had pecky cypress installed in a similar diagonal on the walls and even painting it did not make it look any fresher. Finally we re-sided the walls with 8" clapboard hardiplank and I am finally happy with it. In your case I would tear off the slats and use stock moldings and such to make a new surround.

I really like the wood on the corner fireplace. I wouldn't paint it or restain it, but leave it as the natural element it is.
If it is similar in color to the oak handrail, then leave that too...if not, I would try to restain the handrail before I would touch the fireplace. I think the maple flooring can stay a different color....no need for the wood tones to all match in a space, esp if on a different plane like the floor.

@kswl...Thanks for your comment!
The style of the condo is contemporary...light and airy...We changed the kitchen to make it bigger and introduce an open concept so it is open to both the sunken living room and dining room. I hear what you are saying about the fireplace....we may have to attempt that change down the road for budget reasons! What about my railing that separates the living and dining area?? It is an oak contemporary style...should that be painted or replaced?

I think you'll find that simple wood chevron patterns are also seen in classic modernist houses, so keeping the pattern, whether you paint it to match the walls or refinish it to match the floors, will cooperate with your scheme.

More photographs would be helpful, too.

I think it is really well-executed for what it is, and if you are keeping the house fairly contemporary, I would leave it as is. If the railing is like that in the picture I would leave that as well.

If you are going for a clean, contemporary feel I would paint the fireplace surround white or a dark gray or even black. Leaving it as is just screams 80s---- to me. I would paint the railing the same.... My own preference would be a matte charcoal.

I'd keep it for now. At least until you can see it with your other changes. A dark paint isn't going to hide the chevrons and could look like a big black monolith in the corner. If you really want to change the color, consider painting it the same as the walls. You'll still see the chevron shapes but it will be freshened up.

It's interesting, because the eighties are starting to be distant enough that we should be thinking about letting the okay parts of 80s architecture stay like they are.

I am not saying we should embrace the bad with the good, but 25-30 years is maybe a point where we should start to think "Maybe I shouldn't reject the appearance simply by fact that it announces that it was designed in the 1980s (or 70s etc.)

I just think of all the "dreary" oak woodwork that was painted by people my parents' and grandparents' ages and the "heavy, light-robbing porches" that were torn off and replaced with modern concrete stoops with "graceful" wrought iron railings. That is, if you read the 1950s decorating books and what they had to say about 1910s and 1920s architecture.

If the property has a pretty strong 1980s identity , you may be best off minimizing the negative aspects of it while retaining the parts of it that work (even if "dated"), because trying to disguise some features, unless you do a complete renovation and change the entire thing--often doesn't work very well.

I like the fireplace as is. It WAS built in 1980, so who cares it if "screams" 1980 if it looks good? Most things built in 1980 did not look so good, but I think this looks warm but still sleek and suits the condo. So, I'd keep it.

We also have a condo/townhouse built in 1980, it's a mediterranean style on the exterior but interior is "whatever". So I just do what I like. It's never going to look like it was built in 2013.

Paint it all in the White Dove to make the whole area seem much more visually coherent ..... and less choppy ....

Thanks for all your posts and passionate ideas! I'm leaning toward painting it White Dove, (railing as well) and adding a contemporary straight shelf/mantel across also in White Dove. That way I can add a few pieces of interest and / or a fabulous picture to add some drama to it...Dont get me wrong...I've always liked the fireplace but the wood color is just not my style. If I had the money I might do a stacked stone look for interest! (maybe down the road!) So glad I joined this discussion group...so many great ideas!

Leave the wood wall and paint the railing to match the trim in both rooms.

I'd repeat the pattern elsewhere in the room (which is very easy to find ATM) to make the pattern look like it's on purpose.

I like it as-is a lot. It has a simple beauty about it.

Ow...I just love that wood and the color...it would be such a shame to paint it....it adds a natural quality and warmth to the room and yet it's contemporary....and painting it will make it look like a face lift vs. intentional....
:(

I wouldn't paint the existing wood surrounding the fireplace. It's a lovely rich color and I would work around that. It's a shore place and your plan for white cabinets and maple floors will be a lovely cape cod beachy look. But its not the only beachy look. If you look at pics of Hawaiian decor, you will see that wood tones such as that on your fireplace are prevelant and desired. Your wood is similiar in tone to Hawaiian Koa wood, which is considered very high end. Also, you can look at pictures of British West Indies decor. Sometimes this style has a more mahogany tone than your fireplace, but sometimes its more brown.

Instead of trying to change the look of the fireplace wood, perhaps you could design the room around it. Get a great accent piece of furniture (coffee table perhaps?) in a similiar wood tone. Take a look at Tommy Bahama's Island Estate collection to get some ideas. It's pricey, but you can get ideas of what to look for in less expensive brands. a nice wicker or woven rattan chair would be great. Do you have stools in the kitchen? Wicker seats on the stools would be fabulous with your white cabinets.

Can't see the rest of the room, but I would do some nice woven wood, rattan, or wicker look blinds in the same brown tone as the fireplace wood. I would also use the same window treatment in the kitchen.

Consider a bold art piece hanging above the fireplace to downplay the slant of the wood slats. I think a painting of one colorful thing would be really nice (as opposed to an ocean scene). Also, you can incorporate other wood frames for photos and art in your space.

How about a nice grass cloth style rug. You can even find some with borders. Maybe the grass cloth or border can play on the tone of the fireplace wood.

I think repetive use of the wood tone will give you a more cohesive, rich look than just painting it white to match your kitchen cabinets.

If the safety railing can be removed from the fireplace (black slats with wood top in photo), that would be ideal as it is off scale and taking away from a beachy look.

I have no design experience, just my take on it.

Just saw this pic on another post. I know, it goes against what I said above, but I must admit, this is nice too:

[Tropical Living Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tropical-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2108) by Miami General Contractor Mackle Construction

Just be sure you REALLY want it painted. Once you do, there is no going back.

i am usually all for painting woodwork but for some reason I just think this looks better as natural wood.

it won't look "choppy" once all the tools and random stuff leaning around is replaced by nicely arranged furniture!

Loving all the comments! @ dilly ny ...love the look in the pic you posted....As for the railing you see....it was just placed there during the construction. It is actually the surround railing of the spiral staircase which is seen from the living room and kitchen. Would probably just paint the wood top white. The other railing I am talking about is a thick contemporary slat railing that separates the dining room from the sunken living room. ..unfortunately no pics.

Have you or would you consider covering the wood with wallpaper? It's paintable, and a washable paint could be used. It would be perfect if it's the beach look you're wanting. ;o)

Here is a link that might be useful: wallpaper

Please don't cover it with wallpaper or stone. I think it's a fabulous surround. It's awesome! It's very West Elmish. The Chevron pattern is making a HUGE comeback right now from upholstery, clothing, and all the way to flooring. I think this surround is a PLUS.

I can't say whether I'd paint it or not because I can't see your furniture and colors etc. Sometimes a space needs a pop of wood. Sometimes a space needs a pop of white. I would decorate then decide what I wanted to do with it regarding paint. Either way, the Chevron pattern ROCKS!!!! Please don't change it. It would be a shame.

I think it's quite beautiful as it is. Our 80's condo had "classic" features such as shimmering pink and blue wall paper, baby pink living room curtains and teal carpet. I think that wall looks quite modern to my eye and will be a lovely feature in your home. We also have a corner fireplace, but ours is just regular drywall.

Again..THANK YOU all for taking the time to post your ideas and comments....was at the condo this week and after considering all the comments and re-looking at the fireplace and railings with the new paint and renovations, I have decided to paint it white dove...I will be sure to post pics after all the renovations are completed..before and after...can't wait!

Do get a sample of White Dove first - I bought a gallon assuming I would love it based on all the lovely pics I have seen here, but in my kitchen it was awful - it looked sickly yellow-green. There are some other shades of white that are very nice too (Mascarpone and Simply White are 2 that I have used) if White Dove doesn't look the way you want in your space.