btw..just not to create a wrong impression-concrete is really expensive option too

We never use it an it sucks because that's a full wall where furniture could have gone. I Am looking now at these magnetic fireplace screens to stop the cold. My husband thinks we should remove the paneling and put insulation in the wall but I'm sure thats against code- can't find much info online about doing that. IM hoping once I paint I won't hate the brick so much. I would really like a beautiful wood mantle with moulding and all that, and I can DIY that if I'm able to get the mantle off that is there now. I'd hate to paint it with a heavy coat of paint, if anything I would do that faux finish sponged on look. I am very curious what I behind that paneling! Seems odd that the only hollow sounding area is where the chimney pipe (probably the wrong word I'm sure) would be. The other sides seem to have something behind them.

This is room is very frustrating because there is the fireplace on the west wall, and patio door on the south wall. The east wall isn't a wall at all since it's a split level kitchen. The room is large but narrow and furniture placement is such a struggle. Putting the tv above the fireplace is really the best place for it. You'd be able to see the tv from the kitchen, and have more options with furniture placement. I wonder if I can add studs behind the paneling so I can hang the tv? I think one of the issues I've had with this fireplace is I've neglected to figure out a way to dress it up because it hasn't been used as a focal point like it should be

whoever did it before tried really hard to cover the arch..i bet he did an (unfortunately) good job on keeping that mantle very secure

did you consider to go to one of these fireplace stores, show them the picture..maybe they'll be able to advise you also from the code point of view. maybe they can even arrive and give you an estimate

maybe it's easier to demo the brick, the ledge, the paneling than you or i think..if the fireplace is not that usable you can decide to improve it-or cancel it alltogether, and then you're free like a bird to do whatever your heart desires

it's really a question of resources (time, money, energy, etc) you're willing to give this issue right now

of course wood mantle, and molding, etc will look much better..i can't think why decided to go with this mantle..maybe the wood paneling was in place and they were afraid to overload on wood? yet they did add the beams. or maybe the beams were there beforehand? it's really frustrating, i agree

it can be brick behind the paneling, but uneven one..they decided to treat the upper part differently?

or it can be just drywall, who knows

i hope somebody with deeper understanding in fireplaces will chime in-i obviously lack that knowledge to give a sound advice.

I am pretty sure the mantle and brick are all original to the house (1974). I think the paneling may be original too. When we moved in there was the same paneling that's on the walls above the fireplace, I ripped it down and discovered this. Ugh, that door. I will never get over what a sloppy job they did. It is SO awful and paint would definitely help it. I'm going to bet the guy who put in that door is the same guy who put in the enormous lamp post in the front yard. I always wondered why it was so tall, come to find out from the neighbor that a past owner got the lamp post from a parking lot. Like it was a light...for the parking lot. But it gets better..... it's made from pvc pipe.

Im going to bet the beams are originally too. But they are plastic so no big deal to remove. They are the same color as the wood above the mantle so I'm going to bet they were installed at the same time.

our fireplace bugs me A LOT-we payed for it to be redone:) it's a big improvement from what it was, but it's not what i had in mind, the surround is awful because i wasn't prepared and was very poorly informed, and there is a place where they've messed up-not the tilers, the tilers were nice team..but drywall guys built it a bit uneven

and you can't really see that until they start laying the tile-and the tile and the drywall can't meet properly

i have time to redo it and i'd say i even have money, at this point..it really needs to be redone..looks ok if you squint..:) but it doesn't look like a good job. guests don't pay attention, they see the room as a whole..well we see it since we've payed for that. and quite a lot too.

but i have zero energy to deal with it now. energy is a very valuable resource as i found out

if you have energy-you have already one third of the problem solved.

I have the energy to paint....the painting has turned into 5 more projects I'm contemplating. I don't know how much energy I have to spare for those or how much patience my husband will have for me lol

goodness

okay my own family is hard to understand sometimes lol

about the lamp post..we have neighbors across the street but up the hill...pretty far away. but we can see the house. they have three of these. i think. because it's like a stadium at nighttime. or yes, a parking lot.

Be glad there IS a fireplace? BFF has the same wall even a "hearth" that runs the entire length of the wall, but no fire box. One stands in her living room and wonders "Where's the fireplace". Are you sure there is not brick behind the paneling? I have seen some marvelous make over's for these things on this site. Perhaps a search would give you pictures/ideas. I am not a fan of wood burning fireplaces as they are messy, (I know because we have one!!) The firebox can be converted to a gas fireplace which if there were money would be my first choice. It would also fix the cold air leaking.

Well, if you really hate it and would rather have the wall space, then you can cover the whole wall over with drywall including the firebox and use it as a regular wall. That is what the previous owner of our last house had done. That way it was all still there if the next people wanted it but the room was much more usable.

I'd pull out the insert and paint out the brick with white. Then, I'd add a slab of natural pine or wood for the mantel. I'd also swap out the wood paneling above the brick with reclaimed wood paneling, like this.

as far as i understood the previous owner somehow managed to seal this insert in a way that makes it impossible to pull out without really applying big force, right tools etc. turning in into a job for pro..or at least somebody who owns the tools and has the said force. why the previous owner worked so hard (and closed a beautiful opening while at that) remains a bit of a question..

Have you thought about converting the FP to a non-vented gas FP? That would heat your room nicely.

If I had the budget, I'd rip that wall down and get custom shelves built and add a gorgeous surround with granite, quartz or marble.

I'd also mount the tv over the FP so it can be viewed from the kitchen.

This area of the house is on a slab with no gas line anywear nearby. I haven't priced it out to have a line added there but I would assume it would be crazy expensive. I'm going to google it now lol

I was being VERY pie in the sky! But, you don't know until you ask.

You have mentioned a few things about the house that bug you. It's very normal to feel impatient and overwhelmed. Unfortunately unless you have unlimited funds something's gotta give. I would first get a couple of estimates from professionals on completely redoing the whole wall and learn what your options are for the fireplace itself. Tell them you want a TV mounted. Tell them you want something that goes with the style of the house. From there, and from what you learn, develop your plan. You will feel immediately better once you have a full plan. Suffer a wait until you can do it how you want. You can save some money by doing the demo yourself. Make sure to view the previous work of whoever you hire. Get at least three estimates and make sure your husband is there as well.

The room will be beautiful! You will be happy!

Perhaps take off the paneling and just see what's there. You can replace it with drywall--painted paneling doesn't make anyone happy and that section would not be too challenging to DIY drywall. You COULD have the makings of a lovely TV wall. But you have to see what's back there first.

For me it is not the fireplace but that ugly dark wood paneling. Take it off and repair what ever is underneath. Then take a breath and start your thinking about the fireplace again.

Not knowing what the rest of your home looks like you may want to disregard this quicky mockup...I just had it in my head that a full surround with a deeper longer mantel & some sort of stone around fireplace opening might look good. I left that area blank for you to imagine what you want, stone, brick or other.

Your room sure will seem bigger when that TV and stand are gone.

I loveeeee he mockup! Showed my husband and he is impressed too! We will probably remove that paneling just to see what's back there and go from there. We are pretty sure there are no studs to mount a tv so we would need to add them and re-drywall. No big deal. I had planned to do stacked stone over the brick in the future and I am sure just adding drywall and removing the paneling, hanging the tv above the FP will be a world of difference. You guys are awesome!