Get a new glass enclosure for the fireplace first--or convert it to gas--then pick a color that goes with your furniture. Or simply pick a neutral color for all of the walls. You don't have to do a contrast color. If you haven't yet decided on a look, lean into the mid-century modern vibe. A few pix for inspiration:

Mid-Century Modern Remodel By Willie Baronet · More Info

Tarrytown Residence · More Info

4415 HO GSR2 Gas Fireplace · More Info

Sabrina's right of course, you don't have to paint the fireplace wall section a different color than the rest of the room, but if you want to, look for a dark color that goes with the carpet if you're not going to remove it. If you are going to remove it and have wood floors then you will have more options. See if you can replace the hearth tile. If you paint the tile it will look weird.

@Sabrina Alfin Interiors The Tarrytown color is nice. Wonder if that's what people are calling "greige"? Like it very much though.

Not sure if we want to convert to gas because then we lose the ability to have a real wood fp, which is a big deal in this ski town. It's conflicting though because although wood is customary and very calming it also produces smoky air.

@kandrewspa We eventually will redo the whole room, especially popcorn ceiling, tiffany pendant (ha ha) and may install wood floors. The carpet is practically the only new item in the condo so we may keep it, not sure. It will eventually be a rental but we have to live in it for a time. Just curious - why do you think the tile will look weird when painted?

@Jeff Smith I'd check with the local building ordinances. Many local municipalities are phasing out wood fireplaces for environmental reasons in favor of gas. But if it's not a requirement where you are, I'd simply get a new enclosure for the existing unit.

As for the color, it's a dark gray/green. Griege would be a lighter tone.

It's painting the grout that makes it look weird, and paint doesn't have the same look as glazed tile, so it just doesn't look right. The tile isn't great, but it could be worse. I would leave it alone until you change the flooring.

Since you like a wood burning fireplace, consider adding corner glass doors.

Remove the mirror next to the fireplace, awkward and it doesn't reflect anything nice.

With the mirror gone, you could extend the accent wall so the fireplace is centered on the block of color. And just paint over the socket plates.

I would leave the brick tile as is, it adds a rustic authenticity and the warm earth tones tie in the beige carpet. And painted tile is a PITA to keep looking good and will always look fake. Clean it up with oven cleaner...soot and grease gone.

This concept rendering is with rather crude software but the idea is shown. The gray is random and not the color in the inspo photo.

Art is from greatbigcanvas.com

I agree, that mirror has to go. It serves no purpose, and doesnt reflect much of anything. I would also leave the brick. It looks better like it is, than it ever will painted. I would pick a solid color as an accent color that goes with the carpeting, which you are keeping for now, anyway, and also paint the area where the ugly mirror is the same color. Much like the picture from tracefloyd above this post. I dont think the fireplace is ugly, but, the orange, most likely doesnt go with your furnishings, so I definitely agree, it needs to be repainted, which is a pretty easy job.

White or charcoal/gray would work better.

I would go rather with white cos room seems dark.

Yes, the mirror should certainly go. The mirror closest to window is actually not bad and sort of interesting in the way in reflects the trees and outdoors, but I agree the inner mirror isn't adding anything.

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images Wow the white really pops and I like the painted brick tile. Maybe we'll just clean up the fireplace, paint the tile & wall above fp, place some aspen logs on the grate and tell the renters the fireplace is for looks only. In this way the fp won't get dirty and the wall won't get dirty? The thought of short-term renters lighting real wood fires anyway is frightening. We can live without fires while we're here (gas or wood) and for renters it's likely not important to them.

That dark charcoal gray looks good on the brick actually. Why that mirror still, tho? I suppose it's easier than trying to take it out. If this will be a rental it's moot.

The mirror nearer the window is sort of ok and reflects the outdoors. The room is very small and hoping the second mirror (only) helps to add something? Maybe so, maybe not. See picture of mirror closest to the window that may or may not be left.

This mirror near the window looks good and does it's job. Especially with that view of the forest. Very nice. I like it.

But two mirrors is design overkill. Up to you if it's worth the effort to remove the one next to the fireplace. You're getting mixed concepts on that one anyway.

I agree about renters and the fireplace, it seems like people have no common sense any more. Don't even have 'decorative' logs handy, some idiot will try to light them.

Even with gas logs someone inexperienced will not get the concept. Like you say not gonna be important to them.

In the meantime, as long as there's a screen and a proper draft, no reason why you can't burn. It helps to have a window open a bit when lighting a fire to get the draft started.

If you put a glass corner on it, you can also get a fireplace lock. Then you don't have to worry if the renters want to use it.

@tracefloyd Definitely plan to remove the mirror closest to fp, no need for it.

@beesneeds Great idea- a fireplace lock, I like it!

I would take care of the lighting first by increasing it and going with 3500-4000K LEDs.. Go ahead and prime the fireplace so it doesn't impact your paint sampling. Then paint it to match the walls for now. Paint color should be chosen in relation to fabrics and textiles in the space. If the carpet and drapes stay, they will be a heavy influence on what you decide to do.

lots of ideas. just depends on the style

I photoshopped this one for you. you can veneer the or box out the hearth, paint it, top it w/a solid piece of stone or tile. here they used a nice gray stone piece nad painted or plastered the rest of the wall area. nice wood beam, art, decor complete the look

you can tile over that hearth. use smaller tiles

or use larger tiles or even larger remenant of granite or stone. basalt tiles would be fine. they come in large sizes. just cut a few an mortar them

just an idea.

this is a glossy granite, so, not this. just gives you an idea of what you can do.

you could also add a reclaimed beam or a any wood beam for a mantle

you could paint the hearth black and do some type of wall treatment. wood slats, vertical wood paneling, plaster, whatever

black w/everything else in white

you could remove the hearth (check codeif you plan on using it) and do something like this

@Beth H. : Wow, lots of options. Who would've thought so many choices?

Move in and live there a bit. The home will talk to you and let you know what to do.

Those mirrors add quite a bit of additional light to the room, so I might not be in a hurry to remove them.

Wood fireplaces are great, but keeping the area clean can be an issue. Make sure the damper closes properly so all your heat doesn't head out the flue and make sure the chimney has been cleaned to prevent any FP fires.

Thought I'd show you what happens when the mirrors are gone and the orange is gone.

Be creative in your decor.

IMO nothing hideous at all. Paint the wall whatever you like add doors on the FP and do not paint the brick. If you go with agas insert you could in many cases remove the brick completely . As mentioned the other option is a thin veneer of tile over the brick.

If you want to see how much impact the mirror closest to the fireplace has on the light or reflection of the room, you can cover it with a sheet or the white side of wrapping paper. Cover it and see what you think. Easy way to test before actually removing that mirror.

Im confused - is this a rental or your home? If renters arent allowed to use the fireplace - just remove or cover up the dang thing. Certainly installing panels over the bumped out area and that mirrored portion to the right would be cheaper/easier than revamping/retiling the entire FP. You could do it in a way thats easily reversible. Speaking both as a landlord AND someone who rented for a long time..... if I was a tenant it would annoy me no end to see a locked up fireplace like Im a two year old with matches. And then having to arrange my furniture around it when I cant even use it. On the other hand, as a landlord I learned long ago that it is indeed better to set things up to be idiot proof. No asking them to do things like run the exhaust fan to prevent mold in the bathroom - nope they get a motion detector fan with no off switch LOL.

@BeverlyFLADeziner Wow those are stunning. Love the branch, like the feathery doodad, too. That grayish-brown color for fp is pretty much exactly what we have in mind.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting Can't put a thin veneer down because the fake brick is lumpy, like 1/2" += difference above the "bricks" on the plane. Will have to paint or demolish and put down new tile or stone.

@Delete This Good idea about motion detector fan. It will be a rental in about a year - we have to live in it until then. Renters are allowed to use the fp but it's a question of IF we want them to, ha ha. Oddly enough it's quite a deal in this town to have a real fp and we're grandfathered in; all new builds can have gas only. As I stated above, have mixed feelings about wood vs. gas. It will be short term rental as it's just a mile from a ski lift, so nobody will have their own furniture; more like motel stays for the short-term tenants.

Ah I see - so all the more reason I think to conceal it IF (only if) they are not to use it. Can you imagine coming back cold and wet and being taunted with a locked up fireplace. Is pellet stove a possibility - said to be safer, no open hearth with sparks flying. If you decorated the place in over the top kinda kitschy 1950s style you could have an electric insert with fake logs and it does a flickering orange light show that kinda resembles fire - that would be fun! The best short term rentals IMHO are ones that are fun and different from the ordinary houses most people live in. oh well it's a thought....

@Delete This We'll hang some reindeer sweaters on the wall maybe? Of course, must have ski posters, an old sled and similar stuff on the walls - or maybe not? Gas would be smartest, but there's no gas pipe to the fp area now that I think of it... painting the wall is step #1.

I think it‘s important to first and foremost have an overall direction for the space. If your style and furniture suits, I’d go dark (and brick will not be as noticeable with the right color combinations). Consider adding a rug in the seating area to help tie everything together.

@Maureen Super nice, I like the charcoal color & it will hide ash. Those artifacts are also very cool; I can see how one can create a theme rather than just having some odd bits of "rustic mountain" junk around.