One of your inspiration pics is modern, the other is traditional. You say you like modern but perhaps you are more transitional? Also, is your existing fireplace in a corner? Can you back up and take a picture showing more of the room?

Yes, you are right, but the surround we're thinking of would be more modern-looking. The fireplace is on it's own wall, which is not very wide. This is the best shot I could get of it, but here is it's floor plan where you can see, we chose the "optional fireplace":

Looks like they built it out quite a bit, considering you have a niche there, perhaps you could open the wall around it a bit so you could have a mantel and even some built in shelves next to it....the sucky part is the silly tiles they put on the floor any chance at having those removed entirely?

I would LOVE to have built-in shelves there! I know--those floor tiles are a big bummer can't remove them entirely, although I'd love to do that. The alcove on top (can't see it in the pic) is open to the ceiling. I'm wondering if I should put some sort of a lip there to hide the light fixture and make it look less awkward??

KR--I like the way you think! You gave me some great insights! Thank you!

Tiling the whole wall and adding a stone hearth all across will make the fireplace look bigger and more modern..a mantle may not be needed ..and a niche may accentuate the tight fit in that corner...put one dramatic piece on the hearth on the left and keep it simple

A horizontal layout on the wall will make the space look bigger as well...

could she expand the niche or do the built ins beside it ?

A picture taken from farther back, in front of the windows,....would give us all a better idea about the scale of the fireplace wall....

As to building a niche by the time you leave equal space on each side of the fireplace ...add framing and sheetrock...what is left?

ritasj--that picture WAS taken by me while standing in front of the windows! Somehow I was able to get a pic of the fireplace without getting the bed and dressers in the pic. I'll give it another try, however...

I am looking for a pic of the whole wall...to the ceiling..and the angled wall to the right...also it is unclear is that a mirror over the fireplace?

I'll get that pic for you today...also, in the alcove IS a mirror--the rest of the stuff was us decluttering and putting things we didn't have a place for, in the alcove. It's ugly, I know...

Ok, here's a more expansive pic. I know the paint job sucks and the art isn't right and there's clutter--I'm all over that. And we're getting a professional painter to do the room in all grey. To the left of the fireplace, on the diagonal wall is a black highboy dresser and to the right on the wall is a full-size mirror. Does this help?

I love all the stuff shown in the mirror...and the art...it is all so strongly black and white I wonder why you don’t keep the black?...on the wall

You also mentioned “the alcove above it”...what are you referring to?..is there another feature not shown in the pic?..and by the way...you are too hard on yourself..you obviously have a talent and an eye for drama and good taste as well....

Oh, when I referred to the alcove, it's the niche above the fireplace. Thank you for the compliment. Black is one of my favorite colors to design with. We could definitely leave that wall black...

Ahah!....not at all what I was seeing from the first pic

Do you know if the niche can be enlarged? full width and to the ceiling? Opening the niche a little higher than the fireplace all the way across ?..or would that be too much of a challenge?

ritasj--well we're going to have a contractor come in for this, so I suppose anything is possible!

jewelisfabulous--is this just a creepy past time or are you some sort of privacy expert?

If this can be done and the fireplace can be centered you could add a mantle and lose the “odd factor” of the placement..otherwise I would leave it as it is...just change the tiles and hearth to some beautiful tile...

My guess is that there is some structural reason it is the way it is...

ritasj--yeah, perhaps. But I really like your idea so I'm going to ask about it.

<Jewelisfabulous--is this just a creepy past time or are you some sort of privacy expert?>

When most people were new to forum boards and social media, making mistakes on-line (using real names, posting personal details, etc.) that made it easy for someone to find the poster in real life was common. I haven't run across those kinds of people in years.

I thought after my first "heads up" post (since deleted) where I suggested you not use your real name as your user name and to consider removing the photo showing your address (the plaque on the fireplace), you'd become more safety conscious. That didn't work, so I posted a second "heads up" above with the link earlier today to show how easy it STILL is to find you.

I don't know where you've been hanging out on-line, but girl, ya gotta wise up! If I could find you in a 2 second Yahoo search based on what you've posted here, anyone can.

jewelisfabulous--so then, creepy past time. Got it.

Actually, just trying to help someone who doesn't seem to have much on-line posting experience stay safe. No good deed goes unpunished, right?

jewelisfabulous--if it was so easy to find my info, why not send me a private message, rather than publicly posting my info? Actually I post online a LOT. I didn't realize, though, that Houzz would post my full name rather than my user name. As for the address thing--call me naive but I'm thinking the people on this board posting suggestions are well-intentioned and not stalkers.

Well that when WAY off topic lol

RL--Yes it did. My bad....

no worries ..........

Update: took a million years to choose tile. I love unique, modern looks. I used the company that did our Master Bath and here is the result:

Gorgeous! You must be thrilled at the result. What do you have planned for the niche?

Thanks for posting an update.

I really don't know. We have an iron industrial figurine in it right now, but it makes it very clinical and hard looking. Advice?

I would go colorful abstract make it look intentional

.

That's nice. I'd like to add a bit of color! My husband is the anti-color! But this is my deal, so....

if you stick with rusticy" colors they should work in the space and give your eye a place to rest.

I think you have something there and I agree. I have to find the right piece for that niche, now.