Ugly dated fire place

You could wrap it with blackened steel.

Your brick is nice so I wouldn't change that. I would put in built in cabinets on each side with a painted finish to break up all the wood. You will gain storage and totally change the look.

I just did the kitchen and I would like to sort go with this look. Thank so much for all your ideas they all amazing.

Gorgeous kitchen ! -- has more traditional elements vs modern, so I can see where the dark wood around the fireplace may not work with this look. Can you see the fireplace from the kitchen? And was there a budget you were thinking of ?

Yes, I would add a picture, my budget 3k.

I would start by removing all the tchotchkes from the fireplace and the shelves. Remove the mantel and hang the mirror. Style the shelves with modern objet d'art mixed among photos and books. Replace the black chair with something sleek and modern. That may be enough to update the look.

I love the look of sluggodog right side picture. It is very much what I was picturing. The stone is good on yours you just need a beefier mantel. Then loose the cheap looking shelves for ones more substantial like in the picture.

Here are some more picture, just to get an idea.

Kitchen facing this room.

Can you get the people who did your kitchen to quote you on some custom cabinets around the fireplace. Cost wise you might not be able to do all the way up both sides of the fireplace, but new bottom cabinets with glass to match the ones in the kitchen (maybe on a couple of doors). Then you can still do open shelving across the top. Ideally a new fireplace insert would be nice, but you can always buy a screen across the front -- there are some gorgeous one out there. If you do the open shelving, instead of painting behind the shelves, there are some gorgeous fabric wall papers -- some more ideas to throw at ya. :-) The first one is a bamboo wallpaper.

I would paint the brown cabinets a lighter color. Ivory maybe. I like the stone fireplace.

For a modern look, less is better.

Emser Tile has a couple of porcelain tiles that would like great on that wall and cover that stone. Eurasia or perspectives in the 12x24 size..

Sluggdog are those pics in your first answer from Houzz? I love the painting over the fireplace and would like to source it.

@sloggdog, No! pictures are taking by me.

Love the stone, don't love the mirror. Paint the wood paneling a white/cream. Is there a reason your couch is covering an entrance to this room?
Maybe some nice lighting as well!

@Susan Mladenovich ~ here is the link for the painting you were inquiring about. Hope you find what you are looking for. http://www.hgtv.com/designers-portfolio/room/contemporary/living-rooms/5686/index.html#/id-4075/room-living-rooms/style-contemporary
rnthomas ~ do you have some ideas for what you want to do with this space?

I agree that the fireplace is lovely as it is. It does have a modern look. Its the shelves and wall that are dated. Paint the walls and get new shelves. Lovely home!