I love a thick mantle but in a living room space. I would totally dump the idea of a thicker mantle in your kitchen-I could be wrong but it looks close to an entry and a door? I think that would be pretty dangerous in a kitchen space-plus it appears to be near a door...do you get a lot of traffic? I could totally see bumping my head into a corner of the mantle! I agree with CaliDesign that it should be a flat fireplace (you could figure out another way to hang Christmas stockings if you celebrate Christmas). Do you like the tile on the floor? Maybe match/contract that a bit? Good luck to you!!!!

May I ask? What is the black object on top of the mantle?

Replace the tile with slabs of slate. It’ll look perfect.

Concur with Beth. Scale/proportion of the entire fireplace surround is off as are colors of the tile. Looks like it was designed to have a TV above and needed clearances drove the proportions. I’d lower the mantle to get proportions right and use very large format, neutral tiles for hearth and surround.

The black object looks like the remote for the insert.

Your kitchen leans toward contemporary. I’d remove the mantel piece altogether and do large format tile floor to ceiling for a sleek look.

The black object is likely the remote for the FP

IMO the proportions of the FP were off. I would keep it simple

I would adjust the woodwork and replace with black tile or stone.

I've stared at the picture of your fireplace for a while and the proportions just seem so odd. There is no continuity from floor to ceiling and the top trim pieces don't compliment the bottom - they actually detract from it and make it look top heavy. My suggestions would be:

1) Loose the mantel and the mirror and go for a clean modern look

2) Extend the wider side trim at the base all the way up to the ceiling and finish in identical style at the top. (these will look like columns)

3) If you remove the remaining trim piece above the fireplace and the trim at the top that divides it into the 3 boxes, you will have a smooth surface to tile all the way to the ceiling.

4) Don't let the existing tile of the hearth limit your color choices for the new tile. Either replace or paint it to match a new tile that harmonizes with your countertops. So many choices....

Good luck, I think you could have an amazing focal point here, love a fireplace in the kitchen!

Do you have to have it tiled? Just do a simple white wall around the insert. It will give a nice clean look, and if desired, you can paint it as your taste changes. It will give the illusion of more space and allows the stove to be the focal point without clashing with decor.

Another vote for lowering the mantle..... first thing I noticed.... and I would try for something a bit more understated.... less busy looking.

I know I'm in the minority here (including with you!) but I actually like the existing tile. I like cozy colors and frankly I'm tired of basic builder-whites or light gray neutrals unless you plan on selling the home soon. The only thing I'd do is paint the squares white instead of the wall color, and replace the hearth with a neutral tile or stone in the same warm brown family.

I agree, the mantle is too small. It might should be even smaller like moulding or a tad bigger like a real mantle. If you are going to rip out the tile anyway, why not prime and paint it to see how you like it as a solid color. Benjamin Moore has some pretty interesting accent paints...metallic and textured, etc. Might be fun. Kick the can down the road.

Replace the suround with white, or brick with a white-wash, or with a bright colored tile, like turquoise. Then replace the mantel with a live-edge slab of wood: the wood will bring warmth into the space. Then replace the mirror above it with a colorful painting. Don't be afraid of color splashes - they bring life to a space!

I love how the dark gray plays with your countertops. A flat surface or large format tile with dark grout would be sleek. Decide if it needs a painting later

Keepthefaith MIgirl has the best idea for improving the look of your fireplace. The mantle is totally unnecessary in that spot and just a tiled wall, like she has illustrated, makes a lot more sense.

Do you want modern and streamlined, OR classic detailing? Decide that first.

If the former, then it wouldn't be difficult to remove moulding and mantel when re-tiling. The example that Keepthefaith just posted is worthy of consideration as to style.

Re-tiling is definitely needed around the fireplace, regardless of choice of modern or classic.

Slate may be a good choice; would go with the hearth tile and larger pieces are warranted for the space.

Get rid of that mirror, it is obtrusive.

Have you considered just removing the fireplace? It is an odd location and esthetically it’s not really pleasing. I see your door to the outside opens almost directly to it. I would remove the fireplace altogether and improve the entry from outside.

I would remove the mantel and the odd workwork at the top and then tile with large tiles to the ceiling. Because the fireplace appears to be off-center on the wall, could you put a narrow bench to the right? If not, how about a shallow cabinet up to the ceiling? You need something to balance that space, IMO.

The door to the right goes out to the deck, that is not a common pathway in and out unless youare accessing the deck. we love the gas insert and installed a propane tank as well as the insert, so removing it is not an option or desire. The black object on top of the mantel is the remote for the insert. I am torn with the dark slate or a lighter white or off white. I do not want the space to be overwhelmed by the fireplace, since it is a kitchen and not the nromal room a fireplace would be seen in.

@jsprin, since you like and will keep the insert [all good], I wouldn't concern myself with it being "not the normal room a fireplace would be seen in."

Therefore, I also wouldn't try to get it to *blend in* or otherwise not "overwhelm" the space.

It is a focal point and I wouldn't fight that. Nothing wrong there, imo. It isn't overwhelming, it's simply a feature in the room.

Again, I'd look at the lighter shades of slate and frame the fireplace in slate as one unit. You can then still decide whether to add a slab wood mantel or not; I'd think, not, better to leave it simple.

This is fun-I like helping! Could you take a photo from the door and another one from the other side as well?

I would replace horizontal trim on top and definitely the hearth tile!

I like the ideas Beth H has above. Specifically, the second picture, I do not think I want to tile all the way to the ceiling, but rather to bring the mantel down (I like the thought of a small wood piece ) and get rid of the boxes and the top and not be restricted to the boxy shape to try to find a piece of art for which is one of the reasons the awful mirror ended up there. My husband actually. lol I did show him these comments and he is now on board. haha I am loving all the ideas. I have someone who can do the work, quality and soon, so a decision needs to be made.

https://onekindesign.com/2017/02/10/kitchens-warm-cozy-fireplaces/

I love these idea discussions because so many people have a better eye for detail than I do. Kudos Houzz. I'm with the group who say lose the mantle and tile or do a Santa Barbara plaster all the way to the ceiling. However, seeing the dark cabinets, I would keep the tile a light/white. Your kitchen is really pretty and the focus should be on it. While the fireplace is a beautiful addition to the kitchen, because of its placement between egress/ingress points, having a mantle is a hazard.

Change the tile and the mantel. Regarding the mantel, it should not protrude beyond the wall on either side to avoid shoulder injuries to people walking through the passage, but it can be thicker/taller if its current size bothers you.

This is a angle from the door to the deck into the living room, that is our front door.

From the dining room, the room with the couch is our Tv/Living room

Far end of the kitchen, the entry-way room is right off this area I am standing.

You can see the entryway to the left. Hopefully this helps show the flow and where the traffic is coming from .

I'd keep the molding detail above the fireplace since it matches your other wall. Just paint them both all white, without the beige accent color. I think either white or dark charcoal can work for the tile. I'd leave the mantle as it is. You can place three smaller pieces of art in the space above the fireplace, or add the three vertical pieces of wood as you have on your other wall, and leave it empty, which would be fine.

I would just do a good job of painting the tile with a glossy heat resistant paint.

If I was feeling fussy, I'd probably take down the mirror and "tile" the mirror with smoked glass, large format rectangles. But maybe if I was standing in your house I'd feel differently.

I would remove the mirror, mantle and tile (including the gray tile) and go w/ a simple white wash brick/light stone to go w/ the rest of the space. It is pretty dark and the counters are super busy.

I would change all the tile to a solid in the grey family, maybe with some texture. Replace mantle with wood to tie in the cabinetry. Remove mirrors, replace with simple art pieces or family photos.

I recently read that quartz may be cut about as thin as you would like it. In keeping with the traditional/transitional design of your home, it would look well to surround your fireplace, as well as the floor tile, with a light colored quartz that will compliment your beautiful kitchen granite countertops. Change out the mirror for artwork that you love. Give a fresh coat of paint to the fireplace woodwork to blend/match the quartz, including the three panels above the same color. You will receive a beautiful new look to blend with the rest of your lovely traditional home w/o breaking the bank.

I would go modern. pick a color from your countertops and do the entire surround up to the ceiling. dark if your kitchen has lots of natural light, light if it does not. No mantle and no artwork needed. The fireplace is out of proportion and the style is fighting with your more contemporary kitchen.

Houzz has a number of examples of traditional fireplaces on its website to visual what you would like yours to be. Former suggestions are all over the place with some counteracting others. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/traditional-fireplaces/nqrwns

I swore I wouldn’t do this again but I have a love affair with kitchen fireplaces. I have basically the same type of fireplace. On an end wall. I also have a fairly busy granite counter top. We used a thin brick veneer in an antique brick color. It doesn’t seem to fight with anything. My fireplace front was stainless at one time but I didn’t like it with the brick so I spray painted it with a heat resistance paint. I just love a kitchen fireplace and propane is just great. Flip that remote and your good to go.

I saw a comment about replacing the mirror with art work so I thought depending on your taste you might like to see these

Wild Apple Portfolio 'Geography of the Heavens III' Canvas Art, 47"x20" · More Info

Albert Bierstadt View of the Hudson Wall Decal · More Info

I am e and I don’t like kitchen fire places

@jsprin I'm soooooooo glad I asked for the extra angle photos!!!!! Ohhh myyy goodness! I totally recommend replicating the board and batten on the wall behind the island onto the fireplace as one surface. You've got yourself a gem there! What year is the house and the outside facade?

Now that I see the additional angle pictures, it looks to me like the board and batten has been replicated on the wall above the fireplace. I think I would keep it, replace the glass tile with something earthy that doesn't conflict with the counters, and create a very simple and very narrow but thick wood mantle (a ledge)....no legs, just a piece of wood, basically. I don't know that you need "artwork" above the mantle as the board and batten is artwork. But if anything, something low key and simple like a couple of mismatched vases. I'm also with jholmesct - your home is very pretty.

I am not a professional! Your kitchen is beautiful, it is not the tile on the fireplace but everything else that is too busy. I think if you took off the mantel, painted everything white and removed the slate from the floor and had that replaced with hardwood (you have an insert and no risk of fire) that would make it part of the kitchen instead of a piece fighting with the decor in the kitchen. Your cabinets are on the modern side, I would maybe add a brushed chrome floating shelf above the insert?

I suddenly had this idea that if I had a long term lease on your house, I would take down the mirror and would then cut and paste into the inset a rectangle of Fornasetti Riflesso wallpaper (Cole & Sons vendors). Then I would change the barstools and put a rug under them.

Elegant Tufted Dining Room Kitchen Chairs, Hemp · More Info

Safavieh Studio Leather STL701A Area Rug, Ivory/Grey, 2'3"x7'0" Runner · More Info

I have this same fireplace insert. My fireplace was a huge red brick monstrosity with a bulky rustic wooden mantle. I had the brick covered with 12 x 24" porcelain tiles and now it's a stunning look.

Wow!! Your fireplace proves that less is more! Beautiful and timeless.

The fireplace and tile surrounding it are beautiful. IMO the problem is visual lines clashing. Vertical tiles, busy fussy horizontal mantle, topped by mirror with 8 different square panes. I’d replace the multi-panes mirror with a one pane mirror. Then replace the mantle with a solid wood slab that matches the cabinets finish.

As we can see from the pics, your fireplace surrounding tiles colours are the same as countertop colours. which is great. Do not do anything with it. The floor tiles (greyish?) should be different colour, according to main pallet (countertop and surrounding tiles). The square(ish) fireplace doesn't correspond to the rectangle of mirror above. Better take two square mirrors to repeat the shape of the fireplace. Paint the surrounding trim in the same pallet off-white colour to correspond. Here is some colour palett example, but I am not sure because of artificial light on your pics.

These are great colors

There is a lot going on for such a narrow fireplace. If it is in the budget, I'd remove everything including the window, mantle, all the trim, all the tile and use a larger porcelain tile. I would put it horizontally. Beige, ivory, .whiteish., light tan. You could have the same or similar tile in a darker color on the hearth. Run the tile all the way to the ceiling. If you want a mantle, use a chunky piece of reclaimed wood. Not sure of the style of the house.

You have a beautiful home! Alot of character and I absolutely adore your front door. in my opinion I would completely tone down the fireplace. It is competing for attention and simply making it a flat surface, the same color as the walls, and putting a functional mantle would give the rest of your space the attention it demands.