I need help!!! I will be doing a main floor reno with kitchen, flooring mudroom and the dining and living space. I have had two designers come through the house and when I ask them and friends about this fireplace, I get such polar opposite responses. I don't love that it's kitty corner (I don't like anything kitty corner) and the stone is local but big and quite rustic looking. I think I can actually suck up the location of the fireplace as to move it sounds like a really big job.

The hearth HAS to change, no question, and I was thinking of putting a thick rustic beam over the concrete shelve that is there now. This is the only picture I have, from last Christmas. My style is transitional, kinda subtle costal and our house is on a river. Thoughts???