Sorry couldn’t edit my question….to make it look less dated? I will add better handles to the doors.

Without knowing/seeing the overall style of the home and this particular room, it is next to impossible to make a realistic suggestion.

For a quick and inexpensive redo, you can whitewash the brick or paint it if you prefer no brick color coming through. You can change the mantle to something more chunkier or paint the current one black. Then on the wall above, you can add some textural finishes by way of board and batten. These ideas will all depend upon your style and what the rest of the room looks like.

Which part of the project is cost-prohibitive?

Could you replace the stone up to the mantel and do board and batten or shiplap the rest of the way up?

I LOVE the brick but feel the mantel is hohum boring being white. Maybe a full surround in white would make it more modern or how about a black or a nice new wood mantel.

houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/connecticut-estate-traditional-family-room-new-york-phvw-vp~1253595

Agree that the brick is quite nice, but the mantel is a poor match -- a nice wooden beam up there would help the whole thing feel better balanced as well as providing an update.

Plaster over the brick.

CeeWhy, the new linear fireplace insert is costly because it’s going to require some extensive modifications to the outside of wall and the new fireplace piece it self is pricey. I like the pictures you posted. Thank you.

Adding 3 more pictures. The kitchen is open to the family room so I’ve added a picture of that. I will be replacing the huge media center to a one piece one shown below, so that the fireplace becomes the sole focal point. I’m toying with the idea of hardwood like the rest of first floor but my husband really likes carpet in this area.

First suggestion is to remove the mirror over the fireplace. Unless the mirror reflects something really worth seeing would suggest you take it down. You should certainly be able to replace the gas insert but am not sure the replacement would look significantly different. Your mantel doesn't seem quite right. Would suggest exploring options for replacing it. Also, if you really want to update the fireplace you can always paint the brick. If you leave the brick as is you can usually freshen brick up with a good cleaning. Good luck!

Try stacking those two bird pictures vertically. Bottom one 5" above the mantel and the other one a hand's breadth above it. Unify the color on that entire wall, and look into a deeper mantel that may slip over the current one. If there is more brick under your mantel, then raising a new one to be further away from the brick arch detail might be helpful. If you want to go with something very different and beautiful, here's an idea.

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