You can update the fireplace by painting the brick white and replacing the mantle with a hand hewn beam. This will brighten up the space and correspond to your white cabinetry in the kitchen.

Thank you! I will keep that in mind. I'm just not sure if I would like painted brick in my house. It does look good in the photo that you sent!

I feel a bit that, in the picture, the white mantel is a bit too stark. Perhaps replace it with a wood one, or strip and return it to wood, or paint it darker. I would return it to wood, but if you have some black accent pieces you could try painting the mantel black.

I appreciate your ideas. Returning the mantle to wood is definetly an option. Thank you for your suggestions.

Hello. Your fireplace looks very good. Therefore I would not begin to change anything.

Is the mantle stone or wood? As it it is, it is visually overpowering, both because of its size and color. The easiest help would be to paint it a less contrasting color, a wood-like brown perhaps. If it's wood I'd plane it down by about a quarter or third, and make the supporting corbels smaller in proportion then paint it something less stark, or use a clear finish depending on the wood.

The fireplace itself is classic and nice, I wouldn't mess with it.

Change the Mantel color. Have you thought about removing completely?

I was going to say much the same as Patricia -- your fireplace looks as close to timeless as I can imagine (although I don't love the white mantel), but the cabinetry to either side looks dated and heavy compared with your more contemporary kitchen. I might see about replacing or repainting all of that to white, changing out the mantel for something in natural wood, and then calling it a day.

Patricia Colwell Consulting read my mind, IMO your fireplace doesn't really look dated but all the cabinets around it does. I actually think the white mantel would bend a little more with all your trim if the cabinets were gone.

Here are some mock-ups...

I think your room looks very cozy and inviting. The only things I would change are the mantel, as others have suggested, and the white pieces on the mantel.

Thank you! I appreciate all the comments, the mock ups, the other pictures, etc. I now have to decide what to do! Thanks again to all of you!

We tiled ours. Here's a before and after. After picture was a quick find on how it was decorated one Christmas.

You did a great job!

Have you considered having a stone veneer or tile on the brick?

Great pictures and idea! Thank you!

This lime wash is a really easy fresh update that would compliment your kitchen space and lighten the room. Although the contrast to the Shelving could be an issue. Something to think about!

great idea!

Why are your bookcases scared of the fireplace?

It's a fine fireplace. The white is too stark for it.

What a nice space. You can easily update the fireplace with stone veneer, and custom design the stone to match your kitchen and the rest of the living room decor. A neutral stone with a highlight of a darker purple/wine color would go beautifully in the space. Returning the mantel to a simple, clean, dark wood would be beautiful as well! Here's a few similar styles that we've completed for some inspiration. Good luck!