Depending on your budget...A complete change in the mantle will do wonders. Using a natural, wide beam mantle will add to the cabin/rustinc theme. If you have a little more to spend, then not only a change in the mantle but perhaps in the stone choice. Varieties are endless but there are some geared more to a rustinc finish. (the last pic is of an outdoor fireplace but can easily be done indoors as well) Have fun with your remodel.

I love how you have placed artwork on the mantle so that it is simply leaning for an effortless and personal look. Since the mantle is long, however, I would suggest using multiple pieces of varying sizes and in a variety of frames to give it more character and to make it more of a focal point. You can also mix in personal photographs for an even more personal touch. For a pop of color, I would suggest that you look at http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeybeeswax which has affordable prints in some very bright colors, to tie in the colors you have in pillows/blankets on your sofa and to add some warmth to your relatively neutral space. Enjoy!

I like the idea of adding a reclaimed wood mantle piece, you could even do it without changing the stone facade, you could take off the existing molding and install this instead. you could also spray paint the gold moldings around the fireplace box in a black colour to bring them up to date.

Embrace your eyesore! If you change out the mantle to a log type or reclaimed wood type, I think it would complement your existing faux stone. Replace or paint your firescreen in black, bring in a coffee table with reclaimed wood and iron to give your space a rustic feel. Rustic and bold accents in decor would also go well here. Think iron, rust candlesticks, some chunky throws & pillows on the sofa. Low cost changes to update your cabin.

I think I would paint the brass black, take out the stone and put up a stone more to my liking with a thick reclaimed beam for a mantle. If I did not have the budget for that I would paint it all white, with the brass black, and wait until I could afford the whole thing before doing anything else. Keep the walls as is if you like them, why work harder than you have to on a vacation place! Cute mountain cabin. Have fun. :D

I have lots of luck replacing these old faux stone fireplaces with tile. Its inexpensive and beautiful!

Here's another that we refaced with tile. I have some others in my gallery on my web site at llcoolhomes.com.

I agree with rawketgrl and LL Cool Homes (def scheck out hteir pics of fireplace renos!!!)