Thanks for the comments. I should have mentioned that the rest of the furniture - and definitely the chandelier - need to be relooked. The chair is just temporarily sitting in a sunny spot.

I really like the fireplaces that cdrdesign added pictures of, but I find my fireplace and those fireplaces just look like night and day. With my fireplace, the rocks are large, uneven, round, orange and a bit ugly. The Pine Brook image is just stunning - I love that rock look.

I'm not too sure about painting the stone - Thanks for the suggestion, Mark, I like the direction, I just wish you could do a much lighter version of that.

I guess I will take the opposite road here, I would paint that fireplace in a heartbeat. It is a monolith, it's dark and lightening it up with paint will change the look and the mood of the whole room.

You can always drywall over it. Then finish it how you wish.

Can you take a long shot of the room? Are you planning on painting the room anyway? Try painting it gray and then see how you like the fireplace.

Looking at the space I would consider breaking up the intensity of the fireplace--and I agree it is rather intense by hanging a sculpture--maybe metal off the the left hand side to offset the fireplace and then I would consider having a large green plant at the bottom. I also think the very thin curtain--while useful for light--re-emphasizes how heavy the stone is. Just a thought.

Thanks for the replies.
Mark: I've been looking for an example of drywalling over stone - thanks - do you have a pic of the final product?

CdrDesign: I'll take a long shot of the room tomorrow. I wasn't planning on painting - we did paint before we moved in. The wall next to the fireplace is quite brown-greige, but the wall on the other side of the room is almost a pure gray. Will try get a shot. The ceiling will be a mission to paint because it requires a scaffolding type thing (a long long ladder isn't long enough, our painter erected this whole scaffolding to get to the top parts of the wall - but I will consider it. If you don't mind sparing some more advice - what are your thoughts on a sofa? I'm thinking of an L-shaped sofa (you'll get a better idea when I post a pic tomorrow)

olldbobbi: I'm thinking about it. Maybe if I can just lighten it, not completely cover it...

Ann - Haven't considered a sculpture. I am keen to lose the curtains all together - I don't need them for privacy or light - they're just there to 'soften' the look of the room and dull sounds a bit - but maybe I should just lose them.

Dry wall it. paint it charcole. Add long stainless steel mantel. Leave empty. With huge sunburst mirror over it. Drama I love it.

maybe a mantel would break it up a little - if it's possible to install one at this point

Google stainless firepl inserts. I love the high ones that are long and narrow. Look very contemporary. If you do that look no need for mantel. Google contemporary fireplaces see what comes up. Many store carry this look now.

Once you dry wall it over the choice is yours how you want to finish it, but here is a good example of how a brick fireplace would look if covered . Before and after

Kirsten, I know. Totally weird orangey rock. And I really don't want to love it. But then I look at the amazing craftsmanship -- how it's truly indoor/outdoor, with the windows organically springing from the stone in two directions. And I'm starting to adore it a little. I want you two to work this out.

So, I'm covering up some lower area with stacked wood in an Ikea Expedit, (or holder of your choice.) Then I've taken up some major square footage with art. And while the colors are a bit strange on their own, they're beautiful on and around this handsome greyhound -- or art of your choice. This is giving me the sense of a wonderful and massive fireplace but without so much of the orange.

I actually like the light fixture, just not the shades. I recently swapped out some grandma-glass shades for bubble glass with clear bulbs on a fixture and it looks brilliant. Might save you a few bucks or euros to try.

Right now you have two styles in the room that are fighting each other. The beadboard ceiling and curtains scream "cottage" while the fireplace and natural wood window trim look like they are from a mountain lodge. The lighting doesn't work with either. I can't see the furniture to get clues from it. Which way do you want to go or do you want to go in a third way?

Notice how you can see the outside of the fireplace from the inside......Frank Lloyd Wright influence

Could you please remove that sheer from that end and watch how the outside is brought in and vice versa. If you change the fireplace you are really playing with the architect's original intention.

I would highly encourage you to paint the room as I suggested above first. Then see if you really want to make this change.

It appears the beadboard was added later. I am wondering if you would like that removed. I think it would also help your thought process.

I totally agree that the beadboard is also wrong. Replace the curtains with a lovely stylized blind. Same result. Different look. The fireplace is spectacular but BIG.

I suggest instead of the wood--a really nice stone vase with flowers or a green plant. Again keeps with the theme but makes it less massive.

How large is the room? Can you post a long shot?

Do not change it, it's gorgeous and part of the architecture of the house! Like others have said it just needs some art and a mantlepiece to break up the monotony of the stone.

You have a gem there, just needs a bit of polish.

You could wash it instead of paint, the light and dark would show but still be toned down. Good luck

Thanks everyone for your input.

I'd say my style leans towards romantic contemporary - or cozy contemporary. I like clean lines and modern furniture, but with a bit of warmth to it.

I have large stacking aluminium doors which open up fully to the one side of the fireplace - and I like the contemporary, airy feeling.

The room is quite large, and we need to buy furniture - the sofas are very, very old and will be replaced with something more modern.

I can certainly remove the beadboard above the doors - I will try that - and remove the curtains. I will start there.

I will consider a mantle and some sort of art work. A lot to consider!

I think the problem is that in the past someone has tried to change everything but the fireplace. The white banister and white ceiling should be wood not white. This would warm up the room considerably. Since you like modern contemporary furniture anyway, this along with the FP will give it a "midcentury modern feel".

Oh my goodness...nano doors. I love those! Seeing the full room, I am more convinced that ever that you need to keep the integrity of that fireplace. The house is meant to bring the indoors out and the outdoors in......the chimney is providing the basis for that.

I am not so much opposed to the beadboard as the color. You may want to check with an expert to see if the beadboard is an added feature. My guess is that it is added.

You are making a wise decision. Removing the drapes and adding gray to the ceiling (whether painting or removing beadboard) will make a huge difference. A gorgeous home!!!!

I have to strongly agree with cdrdesign. You have a gem of classic architecture, of which the fireplace is key. The ideas being tossed around to maim the stone fireplace would be a case of remuddling that will make the house unsalable in the future. Think of the clapboard houses that were covered in aluminum siding to save money painting, but removed all character from the facade. Some remuddling cannot be remedied, and many options being talked about are permanent.

- Since it appears that you have a manufactured fireplace in the middle of all that stone, I'm going to venture that you might have stone veneer applied over the top of wood-framed chase, which makes it very easy to un-do. Well, maybe not VERY easy, but pretty easy.

If that is the case, DO NOT build over the top of the stone, remove it. In fact, if the fireplace has been used frequently over the past 40 years, it is probably time to have a serious look at replacing it. You can find your local fireplace nerds here: http://www.hpba.org/retailer-locator.

If it really is solid stone/block masonry, it might be easier to just freshen up the bottom half of the wall to give yourself some relief from the mass of orange - assuming you are getting away from the natural wood of the original design.

Particularly if you replace the fireplace, I'd think about incorporating a hearth extension at seated height all along that wall to reconnect the floating fireplace, add some interest and create the third side of the seating group that you are trying to achieve with the bench in front of the fireplace opening (the bench could move to the window side without blocking the view).

I think you have a great opportunity to work with the bones of the house and create something classic while giving your living room the facelift you're looking for. I'll be interested to see what you decide.

My recommendation is to maintain the integrity of the house, including the fireplace. I apologize if my statement came out otherwise.

Kirsten, I do think it would be wise to have a chimney expert to check the safety an integrity of the fireplace and chimney inside and out. That may help you make a decision.

You should keep the stone the way it is, particularly because it is an architectural feature that is at the exterior. I do like the hearth extension idea above. I would focus instead on bringing back the look of that time period, with today's interpretations. Everything about the architectural features, including the ceiling and beams are what the house is, so instead of changing that, work with the scale and line of the furniture, more mid century pieces and there are plenty these days. If the ceiling fixtures are original, I think I would keep them for a while longer....I took a good look and the big exposed bulbs make me think they are original...I like the metalwork.....I think I would focus on purchasing a very large area rug, contemporary design, shag or oriental....they used those plenty mid century too.......with a bit of the earthy colors, including specs of dark grey or black, just spots of the color so you're not reusing a color that you don't like already, but you may be surprised that by enhancing what you have, it could make you dislike the stone a bit less. also the grey wall next to the stone is really a muddy color. It should be the same light neutral as the walls and I would keep the ceiling and beams one color, in fact the current color, like the walls....I would not draw attention to the ceiling by painting the beams differently. Or, if you want a change, the walls could be a very soft neutral pulled from the stone, but I would not paint the ceiling the same as the walls....the lofty light ceiling is very nice in my opinion. The sofa/s, and there is enough space for 2, or an L shaped sectional, in perhaps a warm greyed flannel fabric and a very large square, glass cocktail table so you can see the area rug.

I'd keep it as is and repeat its colors (a bit) in other parts of the room. It's pretty amazing, you might grow to love it.

I agree to keep the fp. I follow CDR's ideas. I would see if there is something that could tone down the orange or like suggested a large pic and I loved the idea of caramel colored furniture. Loved travisinterior ideas but not for here. I am of keeping the integrity of the originality. If a chemical cannot tone down the orange I would try for a wash or paint but keep the stone. This will be a fun project to follow!

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/ Here is a post from yesterday 6-14 about a to the ceiling fireplace transformation that is consistent with the indoor outdoor feel

You can remove the stone down to the wood studded chase as Coastroad Hearth & Patio suggested or build over it like Mark suggested. However, building over the top may not be possible since it appears that the existing stone is butted up next to the windows on each side.

I do agree with others that the existing stone front is in keeping with the architecture of the home and it might be easier to work with it. The beadboard could be changed out with tongue and groove wood and then either keep the beams white or paint them a dark brown.

Here are some examples of fireplace refaces that I have done for client's home.
Project ONE- Photo # 1- Before. Photo # 2- After. This project we removed the old rock down to wood stud and chase. Added new sheet rock and paint.
Project TWO- Photo # 3- The existing fireplace had brick all the way up the wall. Will built out around it (Mark's suggestion) and then built the new fireplace front.
Project Three- Photo # 4. We removed the old stone and refaced the front with quartzite tiles and pebble rock mosaics.

I would search for photos on Houzz of rustic contemporary style. Here is one good example: Here's another good example.

The first one has some good ideas for working with rather than fighting the orange.

I generally like to preserve original features in a house, but I agree with the owner's first comments here. Unless one is into the funky '70s look, I think a person would be happier with a more traditional look on the most traditional element of a home (the fireplace)

Help! I am remodeling a home I am flipping, and I am having to argue with the contractor over leaving the fireplace alone. He said I won't get the money out of it in the resale, and re-doing stone is a couple grand. I chose dark grey wood, because browns made it look even older and more dated! The home is old enough already and not in an antique good way! 60's low popcorn ceilings.. Your basic nightmare.

Here are my finishes, and palate.. This discussion made me consider drywall? Is that expensive? I see the photos here look updated and great. not 50's style.. Thinking I could drywall over this beast - paint it light grey and call it a day.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

The problem isn't the fireplace; it's the mantle. It's too dinky for that stone. You need a large wooden or cor-ten beam mantle to compliment the stone. What's the style of the rest of the house? In what area are you located?

im in florida, not miami but middle area near the ocean. Rest of the home is the palate listed above, grey, cool tones, quartz counter, nice vaulted ceiling, white kitchen. what type are you talking about do you have a ref photo it would help me..

id say the fixtures, and everything are contemporary. not too modern..brushed nickel, etc. something clean and nice would be fitting. The grey brings out all the orange stones unfortunately. But we wanted to do grey not brown in this home.

inspiration photo. Could it be possible that your dark gray walls and bright white woodwork is making the boulders look even more orange. This photo make the fireplace the focal point of the room by painting everything a soft white. Looks very updated and fresh.

Kirsten,

I like your fireplace! I had one similar to it in a former home and I ended up blending the orange out to a darker brown. Then I installed a large wooden mantle that nearly covered the entire span of the fireplace. I also added a trio of live plants on the side (different sizes). I was very happy with the result.

I look forward to seeing what you decide to do!

my walls are a pale pale grey, looks white... and the floors are the dark grey with a somewhat white wash over them. we already ordered the materials, so i can't change the colors, but I think I may try to color out the orange parts like you said, and put a decent size mantle or no mantle at all and use a stager when I list.

I was hoping there was a fireplace company that can update and alter them, I am so nervous to paint it myself and not be able to remove a wrong stain/color. How did you blend the orange out?

https://[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/fireplace-tweak-or-redohow-can-i-change-brick-color-or-remove-it-dsvw-vd~4515215?n=3[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/fireplace-tweak-or-redohow-can-i-change-brick-color-or-remove-it-dsvw-vd~4515215?n=3eck) Check out some of miacometlady's suggestions on this thread.

After seeing the picture with the whole room, adding a mantle or hearth would get in the pathway of the doors. If you're not happy with the orange stone I would recommend painting it a softer contrasting color. Gorgeous room!

Thank you! I am going to attempt painting then. I will post the final pictures :) I love it b/c it is wood burning.

anitaladyrose - how did you "blend the orange out to a darker brown"- did you use paint?

nmp19 - I love that picture you posted. It's like the same rock in my room, but it's just a better colour - much less orange.

If you're planning
to sell the house, don't do anything expensive with the fireplace. It's an old
prefab that will likely need to be torn out in the not-too-distant future, and
all of the pretty work will need to be torn off to get the old box out.

A
fairly easy update would be to replace the uneven flagstone hearth with a
cast-in-place concrete hearth and a concrete shelf to match:

Use
a color that pulls put the natural grays in the stone (they're in there!) and I
think you're good to go.

oh wow that looks great thank you!

yes leave the stone its so beautiful

I am always amazed at the “Tear it out and redo it” and “it looks great in it’s own character” comments when someone mentions an alteration to these fireplaces.

Ours happens to be faux and not real stone, so I have no qualms about altering mine.

Lots of people whitewash them- I’m debating doing a quickrete cover to smooth out some of the features until we tear it out just to be able to tolerate it-but I have worked out a couple of things that can improve the situation.

1.) These 70’s faux rock features typically have deep ridges, deep grout, and are angled in various ways that would not naturally hold each other up. Filling this in more flush with grout or a filler could help the dated look.

2.) If you whitewash- keeping the grout part a darker color also helps it from looking bad.

I whitewashed mine somewhat(first picture) to get a feel for how it would look- we’re going to ultimately tear it out and put a more efficient fireplace in- but in the mean time I’m considering filling in the grout and making it a tad darker and putting a frontal fireplace in. The second two are inspirations for things we can do to improve our specific 70’s fireplace.

Leave the stone fireplace. It is an architectural feature of the house. Lighten the walls around it in a warm neutral as the fireplace has warm tones and opt for blinds ( rattan perhaps) instead of white shears. If you still would like to soften the color of the stone, a masonite should be able to help you in that area.