First off, I wouldn't remove the hearth, as the firebox will appear quite awkward floating a foot above the the floor - and there's nothing at all unsafe about a raised hearth.

I'd just paint it white and call it a day.

You could ceramic tile half of the brick above the fireplace. Also, place some nice accessories on the shelf. This would give the kitchen a nice focal point.

Wow, I just started a painted fireplace ideabook yesterday. It only has a whopping two images in it so far but I promise to keep adding as I find more:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/467046/list/Painted-Fireplace

Also, the biggest thing that struck me was that the mantle seems out of proportion with the rest of the fireplace - it's too small.

Here are a few more nice examples:


Here is a pretty common look for Victorian fireplaces:

A fireplace in the kitchen is certainly a nice problem to have!

You're right about getting rid of the hearth. You can lower the firebox at the same time. And you won't have to worry about matching the brick if you paint it or reface with a different material.

The space is quite large (looks to be) so the fireplace / mantel should be in scale with the room. Perhaps an over mantel like in this example:



You can then finish the wood the same as the kitchen cabinets, making it tie all together.

I removed our "massive" hearth and made a smaller one. I then used granite on the floor in front and around the fireplace......it's positively breathtaking. I will add a picture to my site later to let you see what I am talking about.

thanks everyone, I am hearing lots of great ideas! Charleneerwin I was thinking about that, putting flat granite or marble on floor basically where hearth was, coorditing to kitchen counters. I also like Budd's idea of building up bigger mantle around. I have nice mantle in family room,maybe that could be replicated. I will post photo of it. Other idea we are toying with is removing fireplace,only b/c it does take up kitchen space, with it there were are working in a tight 13'6" width for squeezing in island,without it we could do larger square one and run counters all the way down to where FP was, cant decide if the character of it overrides need for big kitchen.

About 20 years ago we bought a house that was built in the 1930's. Right before we bought the house the kitchen was redone. A few years later we found out that there had been a fireplace in the kitchen and it had been removed to get extra cabinet space. It was really sad because we would have much preferred the fireplace to a little more storage.

In your case, the 13'-6" is generous and you can always put tall pantry cabinets adjacent to the fireplace for that extra storage. I've always found that a 12" to 15" deep, tall cabinet really works well for dishes, bowls, etc. and you can keep part of this available for display and cookbooks.

I think some of the massive kitchens out there today make us think we need more kitchen than we actually do. I'd much rather have a cozy fireplace in mine than more counter/cabinet space. You'll be amazed what you can make do with. If you are finding it tricky to plan your layout, I highly recommend hiring a kitchen designer for some help.

I will upload the pics of the fireplace today. We also put in a larger mantel to accent all the beautiful architect and design.

Generally speaking, fireplaces in Victorian homes were smaller and not raised, so you're at a bit of a style impasse, but there are things you can do to brighten it up and to be in step with your bright new kitchen.
Painting the brick white will help hugely. I know painting brick freaks some people out, but I did it in our 1927 bungalow and it transformed our living room from dingy to delightful. You might want to consider something more durable for the hearth (granite or slate), especially if you are going to continue to use it as a wood burning fireplace.
This painted fireplace used some salvaged Victorian gingerbread to simultaneously update and soften the look:

we have a small small fireplace in the foyer that "needs" an insert and new tile. i'm jealous you have a fireplace in the kitchen. it sounds wonderful.
we had a fireplace professional look at ours because there are venting issues and all kinds of things :) i would find out, unless you already know, about how functional it is and what your options are from a professional.
usually they will come for free.

Good idea, @mousemaker! You can find a local fireplace professional on the National Fireplace Institute website: http://nficertified.org/pages_consumers/consumers-1.html

P.S. Sorry for the huge NFI logo! It was tiny on my computer! : P

picks self up from floor :)

I hope the attached pic helps you......you really need to keep the fireplace in the Kitchen - very unique concept. I love our fireplace and the mantel is custom designed and large and spacious. Send me pics how things turn out when you have finished.......LOL

Gus Alton Decker on January 25, 2011 and whom survived her. Three children were born to petitioner, namely: Lenda Decker Ledet, born April 11, 1958; Debra Blackwell Decker, born September 19, 1958; and Mark Alton Decker, born March 7, 1962.

Ooops - something attached that is not mine.....sorry1