I've seen many of these fireplaces in my area replaced with plain drywall and simple transitional mantles (if any) with a bit of tile or marble trim. It will be a huge improvement to have a clean look to the fireplace.

How about having a contractor install stone over drywall?

It would have the stone like this or any kind of stone you like.

I'm also wondering what to do with the big hole to the right of the fireplace....shelving?

That big hole looks like a second fireplace! I'd have the contractor continue the stone over to the wall as it is now because if you stop it right along that big hole, the stone will be really tall and narrow and I think that would look odd. Then you could put decor in the hole. You could have the contractor put shelving up to compliment the stone you have installed.

But it's hard to tell with the stone you have now. If it was lighter, smaller stone, then the transition of stone to wood might work. You could have natural colored built in shelves where the big hole is all the way to the ceiling. (Or whatever color you want.)

Please send us a pic of your new kitchen cabinets etc - that way we can try and coordinate -

The hole to the right is for wood - very rustic - why don't you want to keep it and stack wood in it? Would look great. Birch logs if you just want it to be a design element.

Hey there!

Even if you remove all the rock in favor of a more traditional sheetrocked wall with a wood mantel, you still will have to have a non-combustible facing and hearth material. It would look something like this:

(I personally think a dark slate would look great with a stained wood mantel.)

Sammy, that last photo is one that I've seen before and has come the closest to something I can envision. I've never really used the hole for firewood...it just adds to the heaviness of the feel of that wall I think. Perhaps once it is redone in something lighter. However I still like the idea of shelving similar to these

:

I like the shelving/firewood storage in the first picture above (as opposed to having a space for the tv, which may not accommodate changes in technology).

I agree in that I wouldn't put the tv there...but is gives an idea of how the space could be used. Instead of the tv, it could potentially be a place to store firewood....although it would likely mar the surfaces.

I gotta say, since you know you're getting rid of it, I don't know how you're able to keep yourself from pulling down those rocks to see what's underneath!! I would not be able to resist the urge to start chipping away at it!

I agree - don't be in such a rush to close up the probably and useful hole for stacking firewood. Wait and see once you take off the monster stones - you probably will like the sleekness and the hole will be a good thing. ;)

As far as the fire wood hole, can you make a shelf all the way to the ceiling - in other words, does the "hole" extend above the current opening? Or, can you close it up from the living room side and open it up on the kitchen side, to add a storage cabinet there?

Once you take off the stone and understand what is going on in the wall behind the fireplace, you may have other options.

How did this project come out? Do you have any photos of the process and materials used? We have the same fireplace, but it's a stand-alone, separating a sunken living room. Any insight on how to change it would be appreciated!!

This is what I have available right now. Now I’m trying to figure out tile or stacked rock. Has made a huge difference. Pulled the rock off ourselves, but had contractor deal with cutting through the heavy mesh it was embedded in and gut it...put up cement board. So glad I did it.

Oh wow!! It looks fantastic!!! Thank you for the update!