Join the club!!! But I have a full wall of that from floor to ceiling with a raised hearth from end to end.

Here are a few inspiration photos I've pulled from magazines. They are on the modern side. Not sure how far you wanted to take that. If you remove the hearth, I'm not sure you necessarily need to replace it. But maybe for code there needs to be some sort of fire retardant material in the floor beneath the fireplace.

My fireplace is similar to yours, but the brick doesn't go past the mantle. I need a new screen - someday!

Here is a link that might be useful: my fireplace

OMG Malhgold! I thought mine was a lot to look at but you won the prize!

Do you have plans to redo?

I want to take this almost as far as getting rid of the entire thing, but DH likes the idea of a fireplace so we're compromising. It's supposed to be set up for gas, but would you believe we only used the thing twice in 16 years?

Thanks for the inspirations. I will get some people out to give me quotes and ideas. Anymore thoughts? Pics?

Daisy, thanks. Yours is way better.

Mari

I would have it dry walled or painted. I like the idea of tiling the seat,

I remember a thread you stated about modern wood trim. Welll, I was at a friends new loft TH in Philly. Her baseboards were plain wood planks or panels (or whatever they are called). I think I suggested that to you. Did you ever make a decision?

Not sure what I'm doing with it. We've been living in this house 14 years and it has always looked like this. It's like the elephant in the room.

The brick are actually shades of brown with a little sort of salmony color thrown in there. I can't decide if I like the wall or hate it. I'm in the midst of trying to figure out my kitchen layout and may try to swap rooms and make the fireplace room the kitchen. I'm sort of going for a NY lofty type eclectic look(in a center hall colonial)so the brick may stay. I would have cabinetry butting up at either end that would help to reduce the impact of the brick by 2ft. on each side.

I've thought of having it repointed to fill in all the grout lines and give it more of an old world type look.

I've thought of a lot of things just haven't gotten around to making any of it a reality. If I had your fireplace, I would probably cover it with drywall. But there are so many endless options it can be overwhelming.

Jersey, no I haven't made a decision for a number of reasons.

I still want modern trim, but every trim guy that came through shows me ornate stuff and tells me that what I want is too commercial. It's hard to find a picture of what I want. Most magazines have more complex looking trim, so I'll be going out to the lumber yard to see what I can find and go from there. We have someone lined up who might be able to do the trim and install. He kind of looked at me like, "what the heck is she thinking?" LOL

You can't say modern in the mid-west apparently.

What about slate tiles to resurface the whole thing?

I find slate works well with kinda old world traditional and contemporary settings. It is very organic looking to me.

Smiles:)

This pic is small but this is what I envisioned...
{{gwi:1563734}}

Smiles:)

Mari- our FP was (still is- waiting for my tile setter) almost exactly like yours, except our hearth was 1 brick high and not curved.Our FP was nasty-with strange cast iron doors. Replaced with a modern, efficient Kozy Heat gas FP. We are going to tile directly over the brick with marble and a flush hearth. The hearth will be dark , and the wall will be light, 12 x 12 brick pattern. I will out line the FP with the dark. It will look very similar to johnatemp's pic. Thank you for that picture! Confirms I am doing the right thing. There was a huge problem with the finish on the marble when the tiler came in August to do my work. Since I lost my scheduled week, I am rescheduled - soon I hope.

Mago, is the Kozy Heat the type that uses ceramic logs? We were in a condo over the holidays (New Year's Eve) and had one in the living room and another in the MB. It was wonderful to use and no messy logs.

That's what we'd like installed.

The FP we had installed was a completely self contained sealed unit, liquid propane (also avail in natural gas), that uses outside air for combustion & vents to the outside. Ours uses a remote control thermostat - the flame & fan is adjustable for heat output. It is used for heat - not just looks, esp since ours looks terrible and under construction. The logs are made of something like ceramic. I suspect the FP you used in the condo was similar. Yes, it is wonderful - no mess. A click - instant heat - and a click off for the night.
Are you replacing your actual working FP?

I am hoping to change it to where we can use natural gas. It apparently has that sort of capability. There was a key for it (lost before we moved in), so don't know what they need to do to make it work like the condo's.

BTW, like your screen name!

Johnatemp, thanks for the pic. I am going to save these and discuss what we can and can't do with our dreadful fireplace.

I hate my fireplace too if it's any comfort. It's raised and with a floating aggregate hearth. Bleah. You're right it would be very expensive to get it lowered. Unlike you, I hate mine because it's not traditional enough. But it's not modern either. It's '70s. Good luck with yours!

We just went looking at houses this afternoon since we are planning a move soon. Guess what! Several of the new houses had raised hearths and many of them had brick fireplaces, hearths, kitchen backsplashes, etc., so if you are hating your brick, don't! They are such a refreshing change to all the xericlearance fireplace/hearths since the early 1980s to now.

For both of your fireplaces I think the darkness is what is so overwhelming. How about fauxing the bricks to make them lighter so they aren't the "elephant" in the room that everyone is ignoring? My MIL lightened the exterior brick on their house in the 70's because she didn't like the color. It was an amazing change.

If we could have an ugly fireplace contest, I could have won hands down! Mine was 3/4 way up the wall, the same brick as they used on the outside of the house, and the "mantel" was a piece of 1x6 with a piece of 1x4 as the face. Then we added five feet onto the room so there was a five foot gap. Yuck!
We had some estimates which were absolutely huge - and they were only after we had removed all the brick - which was the hardest part.
We took down all of the brick, except part of the raised hearth. We had already converted from wood to gas. Based on the room, we felt we needed to leave some hearth. Then we started searching for tiles to cover up the surround and the hearth. We went to a tile store where some of the tiles came in various sizes. We found a line that carried decorative for around the surround, bull nose for the hearth, and just measured out what we would need.
Then we went to Lowe's and pulled out a bunch of wood and created a wood surround.
I had another friend who had a carpenter come in and build a wood surround around hers.
I don't have any pix, but if you are interested, let me know and I can take some. It wasn't really that hard to do, just took a long time and was quite the mess in there for awhile. Taking out the bricks was the absolute worst!

Just found a picture I have - not the best angle but may give you some ideas - we are happy with our results
Since we have gas logs, we didn't need a full glass screen -I bought the iron screen at an antique store

My parents had a 70's brick fireplace in the "new" house they bought several years ago. My dad tiled the surround and built a new mantle and wood paneling to cover the brick. It's not exactly "modern" looking but definitely a change!

I would faux paint it with lighter colors i.e. cream/beige/taupe/charcoal-ish. I love stone & brick fireplaces, but the colors have to be appealing & cozy.

Lisa Laporta on HGTV has shown many ways to paint an old dated fireplace. You may want to check out that website for tips.

Wow, that woman in the yellow dress doesn't look very pleased with her fireplace, either. ;)

Mari

Seems many of us suffer with the ugly fireplace element in our homes! The good news is you recognize it, and are willing to do something about it. You also are creative & have good taste, so that will go miles in the process.

I thought we won the "ugly fireplace" vote - but you may be now ahead ;)

Our home had such lovely architectural details throughout - built in 1930 I couldn't for the life of me figure out what they did - likely in the 60's or 70's to this fireplace

Here's before

Hideous veneer removed

It was complicated in the sense of the framing around the old - it would have been very involved to remove all of that esp given surrounding walls were plaster - So they framed out a "bump out" if you will, and drywalled that -
My son was on a project in Cambridge Ma - So i got one of the mantles that was coming out of an historic home - The old hearth was likely slate that the PO - painted black!
New crema marfil slabs to hearth & surround - I even purchased stone cleaner and spent quite sometime with my scrub brush scrubbing the firebox!

Not knowing what your vision is - "modern" - MCM? what does the rest of the room/house look like?

Some ideas
I would not rec tiling over the whole thing - I think you would really have more of the same problem, just a new palette -

- I think any brick should be totally covered - Perhaps they can do a "bump our" of sorts and dry wall at least from mantle height to ceiling -
- Can you see any of the FP from the basement/level below - just wondering how hard it would be to get the step demo'd- You wouldn't have to worry about harming the brick- but you'd have to make sure the HW flooring is well protected - If that could be done - do a hearth stone in marble or granite - and same for lentils/header - Stone slab will be $$$$ so large marble/granite tiles could be a less costly substitute

This looks lovely - traditional w/modern flair **notice the "bump out"
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lifestylefireplaces.co.uk/chesney/displayburlington.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.lifestylefireplaces.co.uk/&h=450&w=428&sz=39&hl=en&start=2&sig2=90O5br5p2dkJHEwRXa0wOQ&tbnid=uFl-3IU0kSfTlM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=121&ei=rd2IR5HbFJXWgQKQwYnhDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfireplaces%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den

This is country but gives an idea of what paint could do -
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fathertimes.biz/images/fireplaces/monessen/DFS_Vent-Free_Fireplace.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fathertimes.biz/fireplaces-ft/vent-free-fireplaces.asp&h=360&w=360&sz=33&hl=en&start=5&sig2=Plo9VzlhHv4-O0Rr_JAtGg&tbnid=Zd7RIB4iiYkiVM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=121&ei=rd2IR5HbFJXWgQKQwYnhDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfireplaces%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den

UK site
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fireplaces.org/images/Fireplaces/William_IV_marble.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fireplaces.org/&h=296&w=350&sz=25&hl=en&start=16&sig2=CnF9ZoBYmjfPPyHA66tpxQ&tbnid=gG2CXc99Xh6SUM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=120&ei=rd2IR5HbFJXWgQKQwYnhDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfireplaces%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den

Wish I had a taller view here
http://www.regency-fire.com/Images/fp_main.jpg

I'm not a fan of TV over FP but if this is family room - I certainly have seen some creative ways of "hiding" it when not in use Alison just did a wonderful job w/hers

http://www.aceconcrete.com/i/side/fireplaces.jpg

Italian modern
http://www.caminettimontegrappa.it/fireplaces-and-stoves/fader/heating-fireplaces-in-italy.jpg

Another thought ..... if getting rid of the "step" is not an option - I wonder if continuing it would be - lengthening it w/some built ins on either side - Wider angle shots of the rest of the room would help....

Oh, btw - strict codes & rightfully so with fireplaces, mantles, combustibles - Typically they are you can't have combustible w/in 12" on either side of firebox - and for height it is usually an equation - I'd ck that

Totally OT - but little miss "Bow dress" UH, that chick is cachetic - I think if she removed her elbow from that mantle she would fall down - she looks demonic - gosh that is what our society deems as "sexy" how sad.....

Well I do love this stuff.... & know you are up to task Mari
Good luck - keep us posted - Oh, I think a ring, ring to Bill V may produce some stimulating ideas

Wow! You all have given me a lot more to think about and loads of ideas. Thanks everyone!

Jejvtr, I can't believe the transformation. You did very well with yours.

No-green-thumb, I am amazed at what you did with yours too. These pics help me to feel like there is hope in dealing with this monster.

Our fireplace bricks are the same used outside the house. It over powers the room which is opened to my kitchen. My kitchen (will have to post a pic but don't have a recent one) is sort of finished but we don't have the backsplash and paint done yet. My look there is contemporary (light stained maple cabs to the ceiling, dark countertops, porcelain matte tiles and sleek drawer pulls, SS and black appliances) so I want to carry that over to the family room.

Kgw, your parents did an amazing job with their fireplace which by the way, wasn't as awful as mine to begin with.

Patricia, are you saying we might be in style without knowing it? I really don't like the bricks all the way up, that is something I've griped about for 16 years. The mantle is useless and can barely hold anything (easy to take care of), and of course that seat or whatever is a bit much, but if I could at least get it covered with some other material that might improve the look.

I found the following link which might help someone else.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace remodel

It does appear to me that what goes around, comes around. None of the homes that had been on the market for 6 months or more had built-up hearths but all the ones being built did have. These were houses where some were only framed, some only lacked the finishing touches, but yes - brick and built-up hearths seem to be on the way back.

I guess I should keep my full wall of brick and raised hearth then. Although by the time I sell it may be out again!!!!

I agree, we should have an "Ugly Fireplace Contest". I have the dumbest fireplace design. It doesn't have a hearth at all. The chimney goes up 16' which is sad since it has no room to put anything on the mantel (3 1/2" deep). Couldn't anyway because of the dumb laying down "L" thing attached to the make believe mantel.

I have had two bids to remove the dumb trim and replace it with a traditional mantle--one was $13,000 the other $8,000. There's now way--how can it be that expensive??

Oh, well!
I love my fireplace, I don't care if it's out of date :)

I just remembered - I have another one exactly like it upstairs - THE HORROR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mustangs - I don't understand. You can't take that mantel down yourself, drywall over it and do a surround. Am I missing something that's not shown in the pic?

Add my fireplace to this list.

I just wanted to add a warning. Check your fire codes, some will not allow dry wall over the existing brick.

What about smoothing something over the whole thing so that you have a white adobe style finish--all smooth and glossy white. The rounded hearth would lend itself to that. You could add glass tiles around the opening itself and maybe a few accent tiles on the wall above.

If you wanted to extend the roundedness of adobestyle up the wall you could but even without it I think it would be contemp.

To mahlgold--I think your brick wall looks wonderful! But, then maybe the color isn't something that you like?

Could you do drystack stone over the whole wall with tiles on the seat? Or would that not be contemp enough.

I can't believe so many people hate their fireplaces as well. I honestly thought we were in the minority. It's mean, but I'm kind of glad we have company :-) LOL

How can it cost $13,000 to remove and put a new mantle??? Were they talking about building a whole new exterior out of wood and staining? Now you're scaring me.

I hadn't thought that drywall or mudding could be against code. Will have to check. Who do I contact about this anyway?

I'm assuming you can contact your building code department. I know you can't drywall right up to the fire box, but I don't know why you wouldn't be able to cover it up and do some sort of stone around the opening and either on the raised hearth if you keep it or a hearth flush with the floor.

Malhgold, Mariposatracionera, My thought when we bought the house was just to knock off the trim work and slap up a wooden mantel, no big deal. However, neither fireplace company who have looked at it could determine what the trim work is made of (seems like concrete) and how they would remove it without having to rebuild the bookcases on each side. Then the faux stone facing would have to wrap around into the bookcase area and up to the 16' ceiling. I can't imagine what real stone would cost.

So I'm assuming it is the stonework that is the majority of the expense here? You're not interested in just drywalling and painting it, putting stone or tile around the firebox and adding a mantel of some sort?

Maybe I should start a fireplace thread in the Gallery? I have a lot of saved pretty pictures and you all could add yours.

Oceanna, that sounds like a great idea!

Malhgold, I don't mind drywalling the top part so it blends with the wall, and using stone or tiles on the lower portion. Anything that would make the fireplace seem less intimidating.

Will try to get some quotes and report back.

mari - sorry...my comment about drywalling the top and putting stone on the bottom was for mustangs. I guess I just can't believe the prices that were being quoted.

Oceanna - let me know how I would go about getting my fireplace pics in there. Would love to see other options as well.

I did the fireplace thread in the Gallery so you can go enjoy it.

Malhgold, if you type "how post pictures" in the search engine here you get some posts that explain it quite well. The last time I tried to explain it the other person didn't understand. Let us know if you still have problems/questions, please. I would love to see your fireplace pics posted there!