framing out trim molding would work well. odd number across the face, looks like 5 and one on each side. kinda falls under the category of 'what were they thinking?'

There is a huge old stone hearth under the box we think. Previous owners decided that was easier than jack hammering it out I guess!

This looks so odd I would explore what is underneath..

At the very least you could paint the bottom to match the wall

I would look at what is underneath too, sometimes what others considered ugly is not. We torn aluminum soffits off our last home to find 1890s dental molding in perfect condition.

this is similar to what is under there.....no thanks.

I would have covered that up too. Actually I would have removed the rock and re tiled the whole thing, but that is a way bigger job.

yes, we don't want a project that big.

It is really difficult to offer suggestions with so little info...how will this room be furnished and used?....will it be a casual or a more formal room?....what does the new surface material look like?...the fireplace style will sort of dictate the look of the room...

I would "beef up" the rest of the fireplace. It looks odd because it's the largest part of the fireplace. There are actually quite a few options for you here. Ideally, I would add builtins on both sides of the fireplace that stick out just as far as the hearth, do some decorative square molding on the hearth bottom, and thicken up the mantle.

Builtins can be costly though, so you could just thicken up the mantle and widen the surrounding trim.

You could add built in seating on both sides that protrude further out then hearth making it look smaller. Maybe even adding a small step in front of the hearth connecting the two built in seats.

You could push the fireplace surround out further which would have the fireplace a bit more recessed, but would negate the bulkiness below it. Just be careful of housing codes if you do this, as there can only be so much overhang on a fireplace before it becomes a fire hazard, esp for gas types.

Hope this gave you some new ideas!

Agree that some kind of furniture/cabinetry of a similar depth to the projection would help out the look.

Can you just bring the stacked stone up to the ceiling? Then, place nice block mantle and stain it or paint it to match the gray tile on the hearth or the wall color you choose.
That may hide the hearth's size somewhat.

It would be worth the cost to get rid of it. Even if it's stone or brick underneath.

I agree - it does look ridiculous.

thanks for the thoughts everyone! the room is our downstairs family room/playroom so pretty informal. I have two toddlers and the fireplace is on a lot so having the hearth serves as a good way to keep fingers away from the fireplace..presently. so I guess what I need is a temporary solution (2 year solution) and then a long term solution which could involve removing the hearth. The idea of extending the stacked stone ( golden honey)up and changing the mantel to increase the overall bulk sounds promising and doable. Then when we get rid of the hearth we could extend the stacked stone down, perhaps in the meantime would painting the bottom the same color as the surrounding walls (agreeable grey) make it less pronounced?

although...if we do get rid of the hearth and extended the stone down, would it look strange to have a mantle on such a high floating fireplace?

Use the stacked stone on the hearth as well.

For a quick, inexpensive solution, paint the big hearth the same color as the walls. No additional trim needed. Additional trim will draw attention. Painting the same color as the walls will help it to fade away. Cheers!

That does look very odd. Given that situation, I would .... put the decorative stone (or whatever you're using) around the fireplace and along the bottom of that boxed out hearth making it look like one piece that was meant to be that way. And then I would get a decorative screen to stand in front of the fireplace opening.

If you all to actually fix it in 2 years or so, I would paint it and leave the rest. No sense in putting money into something that will just have to be redone.

looks better already!

Is the fireplace tile pink?

leelee..yes the tile is pink. we will be changing it to stacked stone (golden honey). the wet bar in the same room has a pink countertop which will also, eventually, be changed.

Much better! You appear to be using grey tones in your paint, and you mentioned flat grey tile for the hearth..does your honey stacked stone have some grey tones too?

To add stone to that fireplace, you need to use the corners for the stone so it can terminate into the wall on either side of the fireplace. I would extend it to the ceiling. You could then ad stone to the bottom of the hearth and maybe a band of the tile you are going to use on top of the hearth. Mite help break it up a little. You also would have to decide what you want for a mantle if any.

hummingalong... yes it does have grey tones!

my inspiration

Very nice!