The fireplace company is writing up estimates to do just the front of wall and entire hearth and also just the area where tile currently is. Another option would be to just replace door and mantle for now until we are ready to do entire fireplace in stone. Of course I want a complete change now. I don't like the tile.

You don't need to replace the doors. Mask them off and paint with matte black high heat spray paint. It is made for BBQs. I did mine 14 years ago, and they still look great.

Also, get estimates from a stone mason for the stone work. It may be cheaper than going through the fireplace company. I'm sure they will just sub the work out anyway, so you might as well cut out the middleman!

That's another option I haven't thought of. Thank you, Depo. I'll keep that in mind depending on what we decide to do.

Yes I believe they sub the work out. Goofy question...but does the stone mason also have the stone or would I still buy that from fireplace company? This is all new to me.

Croft-Hall...No I have never thought of or heard of dressed stone. I'll check into that. I'm wanting something sort of along traditional/contemporary with a cozy feel. If that makes sense. I keep going back to the stone look.

Rebecca, you would buy the stone at a stone yard or builder's supply. They sell rocks, brick, block, real and faux stone, etc.

Great.. Thanks Depo. Ive already placed a call to a stone masonry to see what they offer. And still have the quotes from fireplace company coming for the other options.

Get rid of the doors. Paint won't help them and they clearances won't work with the new stone.

Think about how that stone is going to look from the side. That could be an issue.

I'm still wondering IF doing the entire fireplace is just out...would doing just the front up to ceiling and hearth in stone or just the current tiled area in stone still look good. The fireplace company did say the cost difference to do entire thing compared to just front up to ceiling won't be much cheaper. I'll see what he comes back with. I am ok if doing entire thing in stone is not an option for us.

Thanks Beverly. I do at least have a door picked out. If we did stone door would be changed for sure.

I think, for an updated look, I would remove the "bench" part of the fireplace. Make the stone you like to run from floor to ceiling on the wall that the fireplace is on. Select either a large format tile to match or a remnant piece of stone from a fabricators bone yard to use as the hearth. That would require wall repair and replacing some wood on the floor, but I do think this will look best and most updated.

I do like that idea. I'm just not sure about the cost as far as repairing floor. I've thought about getting rid of the "bench" and just having it like you suggested. I'm not sure whey they put that all the way around.

Years ago, I think that was the way to go! Not sure what the idea is behind it, but I think it looks large and awkward, especially in that corner. If the wood floor is out of the question, maybe changing the hearth to a large format tile to match the fireplace and have it run on the floor where that bench was, and replace the entry floor to match. That white looks very 90's, I think something a little warmer will go better with the hardwoods. Then you would just need to do some wall repair where the bench was, and repaint that part.

I agree. A good chance the wood floor runs straight under the bench. They built over them as they did in kitchen and foyer with tile. But they may be to damaged to just repair and would need replaced. The bench seems to be made from concrete or something like. Eventually the tile in foyer next to fireplace will be gone. Every project we do in this house has been "off". I've spoken with someone else that does stone work and sent pictures. I'll see what he suggests and comes back with as far as cost. I feel it will be cheaper than fireplace company with my first estimate. Thank you.

I'm thinking you'll get a better price from a stone mason. Hopefully that raised hearth didn't do any damage to your beautiful wood floors! Repairing them could be costly. Good luck with your project!

Thanks. Previous owners put tile over wood in kitchen and foyer also. The owner of the stone masonry was very kind. They do the work themselves. He felt my previous estimate was pretty costly.

It probably was. I put in a slate hearth and stone behind my wood stove and the whole cost was less than $1000. No middle man means no extra mark up!

That gives me hope. I got the idea from a previous comment in the thread. They also mentioned no middle man. I'm new to all this remodeling stuff so I had no idea what I was doing. Have to start somewhere and get more information...and glad I am!