^ 100% -

I think the main thing is the fact that the mantles are way too high and not chunky enough, I agree with you and we spoke to a mason who could help with that. I guess my other issue is that the colors of the stones vary and there are some browns and tans and it throws me. I would love a way of neutralizing it? Maybe trying to whitewash just the off-color stones.

I like the stone. Maybe there is some way it could be touched up or cleaned in places to remove the black soot and white spots.

I agree a thicker mantel might look nice. You may be able to build something with a thicker face that wraps above and below the two extruded stones if you want the look of a floating mantel. Assuming you have enough clearance above the fireplace box for building code.

Not fond of the black metal firebox and glass doors. It’s really up to you if you want to change that part.

Maybe it photographs differently, but I think the variation is pretty livable compared to a lot of the very busy stones you see out there.

Here’s an older photo of the other side.

This side is uglier for sure, no? lol. I think maybe I start by wire brushing and really cleaning and see where I land.

Google images for ”granite stone fireplace” to get some ideas for the feeling you want.

You might want to wait until your floors are refinished. It might look a lot different and better.

Thanks everyone - I think we try wire brushing, adding a lower wood mantel on both sides, and then revisit once the floors are refinished. Thank you!!

The items that you are using on the fireplace on the dining room side are too small in scale to flatter the fireplace. I agree that a heftier mantle will help, but prefer to keep the accessories very simple. On the living room side, I think that the mirror is too bright for this space. If it were me, I would hang a fabric or fiber something on the fireplace. I attach some from my house. None were expensive.

You could find something interesting on Etsy or Ebay.

Pull the eye downward by filling the firebox whie chunky logs or an armful of birch logs. Store some of them on the hearth. Leave the upper part plain as below. With such large stone, anything you put on there will look too small. Show off the stone!

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On the other dining kitchen side, which has less stone, put a woodlands, old fashioned landscape and the smaller objects you like. But keep the firebox full so you don't have a big black hole on either side of the fireplace.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6417709/unofficial-design-dilemma-boot-camp

Keep in mind that you're inviting some design pros and people with a design eye into your home via photos. If they walked into your actual space, they would take in all of it: all four sides, doorways, floors, windows, ceiling, trim--the "givens"--then the features that can be changed--furnishings, paint, art, rugs, decor items, etc. It's all one first impression. Same thing with photos. That's why it's important to provide well lit photos of the entire space, taken from all sides of a room regardless of the size of your problem.

A sculptural metal element below the mantel?

OR an Etsy mosaic?

This is a great fireplace, espe especially consconsidering how new this home is. It looks more traditional, timeless, and classic than anything else I see in the esges of these pics. I dont even mind the mantle height, it’s just that you don’t have the right objects on them.

I'm all for painting/replacing/recovering butt-ugly brick houses and fireplaces, but time out, your fireplace is excellent. Don't touch it.

I agree with the person who stated that you have not placed the correct items on the mantel, but this is not important. I recently saw on a home makeover program where stone made up the exterior of a house, and it was a color that did not appeal to the owner, plus they were totally renovating the exterior and wanted a new look. They actually took a white type of mortar and floated this onto the stone face, and as it was applied it was wiped off leaving some of the color beneath to show through. The end result was stunning and completely transformed the exterior to where it now looked modern and clean.

I personally don't mind the gray color of your stone, however if you are aiming for a more neutral minimalist feel, perhaps getting a professional to do this technique which I recall was called something 'schmear' may make the stone less 'in your face'. It would still be big but in a white or beige color would blend in better.

Secondly, find a thick piece of pine or repurposed wood and create a shelf that uses the existing supports but one that extends the full width of the stone, while also has a greater depth of maybe at least a foot. Remove the mirror. I would keep nothing on this shelf except maybe something off to the side. The shelf will add a dominating structural interest. Is it possible to remove the black metal door to the fireplace and leave it open? Does the fireplace function as a true fireplace with wood, or is it electric? And finally, I would find some flat stone, like flagg stone and apply it to the piece of slate is it - that makes up the floor of the fireplace. Once the fireplace is covered in its new face, some stone work at the bottom will echo the covered stone and tie it all together.

You all have been so tremendously helpful! Wow, thank you. This has given me tons of ideas and I will absolutely update with photos once I start working on some changes. All the furniture except for the bench under the photo wall is old/repurposed/not intentional. I was hoping to get more of the main parts of the first floor updated (fireplace, floor, lighting) before committing to new furniture pieces…