Some fireplaces are whole rocks, and some are just a thin rock veneer. Google has directions for both kinds. Depends on how handy you are. You could also just paint it, or drywall over it.

We had ours removed as part of a larger renovation, so I don't know how much it would have cost on its own. I'm so glad we did it, it gave us more space in the room and looks much better. Ours were whole rocks, and we used them to build an unmortared rock wall into a slope in our back yard. What was not good indoors looks great outdoors, and it saved us disposal costs.

Your hearth is large too, so you'll need to repair the flooring. Sometimes you can find matching wood in a closet and use it for the patch.

There are videos on YouTube showing these rock veneer walls being removed. It will require a pneumatic chisel. I would hire someone strong to get it over and done with ASAP. It will be worth the money. There will be DUST.

Removal is probably the ultimate goal HOWEVER would it make sense to paint it white (assuming you have white trim) and see what it looks like? Paint those inserts, the interior walls. Keep the wood mantle. Yup you're putting lipstick on a pig but I've seen this done before with incredible results. Why not try it before you tear it out.

I have never commented before but couldn't help myself when I saw your post. I really like the fireplace. If it goes with the rest of your house, I would keep it. I don't feel that it's dated like some stone/brick can be. I do believe there are options to help you embrace it in your décor. My initial thought is to change the TV area. It seems out of place. I wonder if you could find a contractor or craftsman that could rebuild that area only. Maybe make it not so deep, take off the top shelving, reframe it, etc. Other ideas could be to change that area to just shelving and place the TV in another area in the room. Or could you hang the TV and have the "hole" filled in? It could be extra seating by adding a couple of colorful pillows. Just some thoughts that immediately popped into my head when I saw the picture. Otherwise, from what I can see, it appears to "fit" with your home. Good luck!

thanks all for your feedback. I think we will try painting it white, but it is true, we are trying to put lipstick on pig.

Before you even think of demoing this fireplace you should hire a structural engineer. This FP could be holding up your roof system. If it is a wood burning fireplace there is a minimum hearth depth required by code to be in front of the fireplace. I think that the stone work is fine but the hearth is ugly and cheap looking. I would get a single slab of honed granite to set on top of the stone hearth which will make it a bit more elegant. I would also make some custom cabinet doors to close over the opening for the TV or clean it out and use it for wood storage. Neatly stacked firewood in the hole is a look that is being faked in a lot of designs these days. You could put sliding cabinet doors that would slide open to reveal the TV if you plan on keeping it there. Another idea to minimize the stone would be to add a mantle above the firebox and vertical boards that are painted above it. That would hide at least 1/4 of the stone.

Sorry Schoolhouse,, the wall around the chimney might be structural and concrete block or brick, but that stone is a veneer.

Here are pics of stone stained and painted

"I want to get rid of it." I interpreted that to mean the entire fireplace and not just the stone veneer.

Mine is definately structural but I would agree the stones in this one look to be add ons but only someone more qualified than me will know for sure what is involved

This definitely requires an informed opinion b4 proceeding. It appears to be wood-burning, as is mine. My chimney has fire brick & block all way to top, w/ exterior clad in red brick. I've done lots of DIY, but I'd never take on demo'g my fireplace & chimney.

Hi

I would paint it or do a wash over it. If not, consider Sheetrock over it.

I wouldn't tackle the removal without a professional !

Best of luck !

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Go to Jennifer Allwood's FB page (The Painted Brush). She has video's and recently posted pictures of your exact same fireplace that someone asked for help with as well. She also explains exactly what paint to use and the technique and how to do it. Hope this helps!
I do think it would be stunning painted!

What's to the right of the fireplace?

It's not the fireplace it is everything on it. Painting it will never look good. Remove all the small and out of date accys.

I would remove the rock on the raised face of the hearth and put simple sheetrock. Then I would add a new hearth maybe from a granite remnant. New fire screen, mantle and book case.

Take a picture with everything removed and you will understand painting it will look exactly the same only painted.

With that ceiling and that rock you have the start of a very nice room. Don't paint the rock! You have to do all the above anyway even if you paint it.

You can also spend the day repointing the stone to give it a more realistic look.

if you are facing the fireplace, to the right are some built in shelves that are the same wood as the TV insert. Next to the shelves is a half French door. If you are asking what is to the right of the side view picture that is an entrance to a bedroom.

tedbixby- you are correct, the mantle is a darker color than the TV insert and shelving.

amylee9- can you please provide more information on the exact same fireplace on her website. I have been looking but cannot find what you mentioned. Thanks!

Paint it white. It is one way to modern up that fireplace! White is in right now, but have it done professionally.

Another note. If you paint it white, be careful about the tone because a blue white will be stark and probably not work as you would want. A warmer white (a million to choose from) would be better. I do believe painting that would be the biggest bang for the buck. If you are handy and love DIY projects there is no reason you can't do this yourself. I've done 1 stone and 2 brick fireplaces myself. It involves TSP cleaning, thorough drying, primer and then paint. Maybe two costs. Bam, done.

You can also add a false back to the niches (tv also) that's so cheap to do but it'll give it a custom look. You'll paint those white as well.