this is the part of the fireplace that needs to stay brick unless I drop 2k more than I'd already pay..

@patricia , I was thinking to add the panels on top of the brick. Do you think that'll be okay?

Is that a gas FP ? If so you could do it all in pannelling . Have you thought of large format porcelain tile in a color from the brick or some huge porcelain slabs

Yes, gas. My contractor says the ledge and harth (around firebox) can't be paneling and needs to stay brick or stone /quarts /tile.

I could do porcelain

Maybe you can box out the bottom with matching paneling. Your contractor can build something around it and then you will have the brick right around the firebox and the hearth ledge. You can make the mantle thicker and end the paneling with molding at the height of the windows. Your room isn’t super modern so this would be a nice update still keeping with the aesthetics in your room.

Thank you!! This is so helpful. I recently painted the trim and refinished the floors so here's an updated picture

@randy- your photo is so helpful. I sort of wanted to cover that arch ...do you think extending the paneling to cover the arch is a bad idea ?

Hi. Glad it was helpful. I assumed the whole arch and brick was coming down. If you are leaving it up and boxing out on top of it then I would definitely go above it to cover the arch. The paint looks great.

A thicker mantle will be more proportionate to the space as well.

Thank you! I haven't even painted yet (we just moved in) but working on it!

painted the wall**

Great. I was referring to the trim you painted. Good luck!

Thanks!

Hi Randy! I thought I'd update you. We are taking your recommendation but in the middle of paneling this up!

One question, on the bottom of the fireplace, there's this section we didn't panel (the sides that connect to the bottom). Do you think that might look odd? Should I ask to somehow panel that up? Looks like we can't square out the very bottom because it's curved

Hi! Great! Yes I agree. I feel like only the top surface should be brick. The bottom should all be panel and be consistent.maybe they can take out the brick under that first row and add panel.

Maybe something like this :

Thanks! Do you think immediately above where you placed the arrow should be paneled up too?

Do you mean so there is no stone exposed on the edge? I’m not sure if you can do that without having an awkward edge where the wood panel starts and the stone ends.

Yes, that is what I mean...

Progress :)

@randy , thoughts on paint color? All walls will be chantilly lace (a white), the trim in the room is a basic more stark white... do I do a different white or stick to 1 of these? Brick the same white or different ?

Chantilly lace is pretty white. I use it for trim and accent walls frequently. Are you going for an all white look? Will the panel be there same color?

I am going for an all white look , I'll include some of my inspiration pics . I could do a light wood colored mantle though ..

All pretty. I would stick with the Chantilly lace. I’m sure it will look great

Thanks :) that it does! Update:

Randy- thank you for all your advice!

Mantle not in yet

That is stunning!!

Hi Randy! Last question hopefully ... would you do the mantle in all white oak or all plywood ? What is standard ?

It looks great. You can do the mantle in all oak or have it made out of mdf with an oak plywood overlay.

Hi Randy..the color of the mantel came out way too dark /warm for our floors..recommendations ? I was trying to go very light on the mantel ..

Here are photos

What a change. This is something i will keep in mind as we search for a home and come across similar fireplaces. Thanks for all the pics and follow up.

I don’t know what your mantle is made of. I did one with oak and just used a sealer. No color added.

Looks nice! Thanks nice to see those two tones together