Why? The fireplace seems to be in an odd spot and why would anyone want to sit there is my question

Here is an idea I found



I know it’s not a corner fireplace but it’ll certainly work for you the same way. I know you don’t want to post the rest of the room and I know why, so I won’t pressure you to do so, but just be wary of circulation spaces around the fireplace, and if you install a large hearth like that, just ensure it doesn’t impede on a corridor.

I saw this also done with Carrera marble, I’m sure a Nero Assolute (Absolute Black) granite will also give you the desired effect since you wanted a dark colour. I really like the idea of the floating marble bench there.

Alternatively, if for whatever reason that doesn’t work, you could finish the fireplace the way you want to, with no bench, but plan to place a bench in front of it for your room arrangement.

All I did was go to Houzz photos and type “fireplace bench” and set the style to “modern”. You could also search in contemporary and mid century which look like they’ll fit your house.

I'd paint the brown tile to black and leave it alone. Nobody will ever sit on it. It's a doo dad collector.

If you must, build it out, cover in soap stone slabs. Get it flush with the offending brown, and paint the brown to almost black, as the soap stone will be, once it has been sealed with mineral oil. I'd not add more brick.

The specific MCM style of the fireplace is highly desirable. It’s already been remuddled badly with being painted. Don’t harm it’s originality any further. Focus on restoration of the home. Not more remuddling that destroys your investment. Contact someone to blast that awful paint off of there as a start.

OP, did you ever find a good answer to this? I have a very similar fireplace and want to extend it for code and aesthetic reasons. Thanks!

Patricia Colwell Consulting because it is nice to be able to sit close to a fire.

The consideration here is whether you want the hearth cantilevered as it is (protruding out with empty space below it) or if you just want a raised hearth. It would be much easier to build a raised hearth with bricks and then cover it with whatever material you want: limestone, granite, marble, tile. If you want it cantilevered, I would google this: "cantilevered hearth construction"

My question to you is what are you going to do with that fireplace door? Looks to me like it was jerry rigged to pass inspection. I can help you with that.