I hope you've reassured the cat you are not actually taking away the fireplace itself.

I think any professional fireplace designer could give you a very simple design and you might as well start there and get some bids about what things cost. In the meantime you could look at some inspiration pictures

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OK, now what?

Actually, I like the mantel-free look. Could you please add wood cupboard doors the same color as the wood trim?

We just redid our painted brick fireplace with cast stone and really like it and there are so many options. Tile would have been less expensive but the flatness of it was leaving us flat!

Interesting! !

I don't see how that solves anything. At least the elements tied in together before. Now everything is just random

I think I need to see how this area relates to the rest of the space IMO the FPis an a very odd place but I need to see the whole room.What is your style ? Do you want storage there ? I need mor einfo but how badly do you need a FP?

Agree with @deegw - I would paint the cabinet

I would likely remove the doors, put in shelves and treat it like a built-in bookshelf

I zoomed into your picture and noticed that the hearth tiles run in front of the cupboard as well. Is there extra carpet to patch around the fireplace if you reconfigure the tiles? There are people who do a great job of patching carpets, they are getting harder and harder to find.

Also, as Patricia mentioned a picture of the whole room would be helpful.

More pics and more info.

Fireplace and 36” deep cupboard are important to us. We use the latter to store card tables, folding chairs, table leaves, etc.

Last two pics show end of mantel that complicates things. It does not meet the outside corner wall and so offers incomplete separation between top anf bottom of fireplace wall.

Is there a reason why you don't want to paint the cupboard doors?

In that small space, you have two colors of tile, two colors of baseboard, a cream wall, a dark cherry mantle, and dark cherry doors with brass handles. Some of the finishes have got to change if you want the space to look more balanced and cohesive. The doors are the easiest fix.

Why don’t you just change out the tile? You could re-do it to fill the entire area above the firebox to the underside of the mantel, and out to the side(s) to define the area so that it all ties together.

AC M, because of gap between end of mantel and corner wall.

deegw, painting dark wood doors a very light color sounds great until the paint chips, as often happens with painted-over cupboards.

Unfortunately, we have no extra carpet to replace the hearth floor tile.

If the doors are prepared properly, it's unlikely the paint will chip. I agree that HGTV makes it look too easy but it's not impossible. If something does happen, minor paint issues are usually easy to touch up and repair.

The other thing you can do is remove the cupboard and center the fireplace. I know you said you like the storage but I suspect you could put those items under a bed, in another closet, in the garage, in the basement, etc.

You're telling us you want change but every change that is suggested is dismissed. I'm not sure how you can change the space without actually changing anything.

Fair point! I am going to get an estimate from a painter about painting the wall blue to match the tile. This was recommded in a previous discussion. The alternative would involve an all-wood redo that replaces the mantel and fills in everything below the mantel minus the tile.

Thank you to everyone who offered thoughts and ideas. Much appreciated!

Project complete. Very pleased.