Does it work?

Needs a flume. So not currently.. def could in future though.

Thanks for info. I suggest deferring any changes to the fireplace until you are ready to make it workable. At that point, local code requirements will kick in to ensure safety. In the meantime, choose your upholstered furniture, rug and so on, then pick a wall paint color. Artwork or a mirror over the fireplace would work.

Edited to add: here is a good sized mirror with a geometric border that would look good with modern, transitional or traditional styles.

Autumn Wood · More Info

a few more photos of the room would help.

Do you have a featured color you are working with in the room?

Is this a living room?, TV? dining?

I agree with @apple_pie_order that you should wait till you're ready to proceed with having the fireplace functional before working on renovating the mantel as you local code requirements might alter the renovation project.

What's a flume? Flumes are water. Did you mean flue for the fireplace??

I get very nervous when people talk about modernizing something Victorian. Just doesn't ever seem right or look right when it's complete.

I cannot tell if your surround is painted. If it is it should be stripped to a wood finish to look it's best.

Maybe you just need to place the right items around the fireplace to make it look better instead of concentrating all your efforts on the fireplace.

Some framed art, sconces and a rug in the room could go along way to enhancing the beauty of the fireplace as it currently exists. Don't blow it. Fix the flue so you can use it.

Once you know the rest of the rooms decor it appears one could w/o a ton of damage remove the wood and replace it with something more to your liking. When you are ready look into a gas insert. It might be more affordable than wood burning and makes more sense for a room not in high use.

I need to see the whole room and mostly these are not to code so do not function so you can do almost anything. But what is your style I do not think the inside needs to be the same as the style of the exterior .This was our non working FP in our 1905 home just painted it added art above and a fun scupture in the firebox space . The exterior we kept pretty much the same as the original since it suits the area and the lot. but we love contemporary inside .

And with the tiles replaced with marble