Cohesion with what ? You chose a modern fireplace with a traditional space what did you expect it to go with

It's always frustrating to be disappointed in the outcome of a project. What did you expect it to look like? The surround looks wide but it seems that would have been noticed when you purchased it.

What I notice is the clean lines of the insert and the more wavy pattern in the wood of the shelf. I am not sure you need a shelf at all. Maybe just a large piece of artwork and some varying height items to sit on the hearth?

Were there any drawings of what it was supposed to look like? Like a drawing with measurement of how high from the firebox you wanted the mantle shelf and that sort of thing? Did they have any direction on paper? What were your expectations?

I think a chunkier mantel or firebox surround would be help to make the brick look less massive. I also think that the large chair next to the fireplace dwarfs the firebox. Love that you kept the original brick!

It looks nice, but the white baseboard molding (?) at the base of the brick wall is disconcerting. Also, as your style seems to be neat and transitional, the rustic wood shelf with wood brackets seems fussy. The wood shelf should have less texture and hung with invisible brackets for a cleaner look.

We don't know what it looked like before, or what you imagined. In isolation, I like the look of the fireplace in the first photo, but I can see that it's more modern than the look of your house, and that it looks like a big black hole from a distance.

Is the new firebox smaller than the previous, so that the wide metal border is filling the extra space, or is that just the style of surround? I agree that a new firebox doesn't require a broad surround like this -- perhaps you chose it by accident, not realizing that it would be bigger on the outside? If that's the case, maybe you need to give yourself some time to get used to it and/or to consider whether you want to pay for a different type of surround (or none, if possible). If this is not what you chose, but they "upgraded" it to a different style, then maybe there is some recourse where you could exchange it for what you chose, picking up part of the cost (or all of the labor, say).

I'm sorry you're not happy with the result of a big project -- that's always a bummer. I hope you can find a solution that makes you happy without feeling wrecked financially. Hugs.

(Also, you gotta lower your TV 6-10 inches. It's so high it hurts my neck just looking!)

Post some pictures of fireplace walls that you like and I am sure you will get suggestions about how to achieve the look. The surround is a bit of a black hole but it's not terrible.

The fireplace surround looks a bit larger than necessary. In terms of the proportions being not quite right, to my untrained eye, the mantel should be closer to the firebox, i.e., lower on the wall, and maybe a bit wider, and the corbels should be spread wider apart.

I know there are building code specs about how close a mantel can be to the firebox, so maybe it's a code issue.

I actually like it - from your post, I was expecting something awful. I do find the white molding at the bottom of the brick distracting and would probably paint that. I think what may be bothering you proportion-wise is that having the heavy firebox and then the small centered mantle makes everything look kind of crammed together like an island in a big brick sea. So what I would do is take down that mantle shelf and install a larger chunkier (maybe a reclaimed beam or similar) one that spans the entire width of the brick. Then I would put some plants or fireplace tools (though I know they are not needed with an electric fireplace) at the bottom on either side of the firebox and put some art or decorative things across the whole width of the mantle. I think that will spread things out better and keep the firebox from looking like a small black hole in a giant brick wall.

We replaced an existing fireplace last year. Did a lot of looking before we finally settled on something - in our case gas replacing wood burning. Many options involved a firebox smaller than our opening which then necessitated a large black filler piece surrounding the actual fireplace. That's what your situation looks like - that somehow you chose a small fireplace and then had to fill the remainder of the opening with a large black filler piece. Is that the case? If so then possibly the filler piece could be painted, changed out, ??? I just don't like the big black blob look of it. Otherwise the clean, simple style doesn't bother me, just the big black thing against the brown brick.

Overall this isn't that bad! Do lose the white trim down there (removing is preferable to painting, but if the crack isn't "finished" enough to be naked, paint is okay).

How do you feel about fireplace screens? I am a fan...and one could soften that black box easily.

I agree it lacks cohesion. However, I think the mantle is exasperating the problem (even though it was there first). I think the surround is nice and can easily be worked into the room with a simple change of the mantle piece. I would replace the mantle with a solid piece of wood that spans the entire brick wall, minus the scallop. I also don't think the wide framed mirror is helping anything, it feels to accentuate the width of the fireplace surround.

Hope this helps!

I too think that the mantle is the piece that doesn't fit, not the firebox. I might consider going to no mantle or a longer mantle with a cleaner line.

Have you looked at magnetic fronts to change the look of your fireplace box. Although I think it looks nice. I would like to see a longer, more rustic mantle. Maybe a distressed timber with iron straps.

My comment is just that the photo of entire wall seemed ok [the close-up was stark]...

ljk has a point - chunk up the mantel.

I searched and found canvas in rectangle, greyed to echo the black, and soft look so as not to compete with brick... not ornate, but simple.

Well, I know who I wouldn't ever hire for "consulting."

Like Aktillery, it seems that the mantle doesn't do the firebox any favors and I would probably remove it and just hang a large art piece in that space.

I suspect the white molding is hiding the new wiring? Get some paint chips to find a color that's as close as possible to the overall tone of the fireplace and paint them out to try to hide them.

Imho, the only thing out of scale is the ginormous mirror (or whatever that is) perched precariously on the mantel. Theres something unsettling about it leaning up like that. ..... or maybe Ive lived with cats too long and am always having to anticipate what they might knock over and break LOL.

I think it needs to be relocated elsewhere (preferably securely attached to a wall) and maybe replaced with only a few well chosen art objects. Or if you want something framed then choose a less massive & overpowering frame. . The mantel itself I think looks like it belongs with the brick. The firebox ... while maybe somewhat undersized isnt that big a deal IMHO. After all its not a very large room. Can the black surround be painted at all to make it more of a brown-black like the mantel?

Who did the design work here in order to set the expectations of what it would look like? You can never assume how things will be done unless you have actual diagrams and documentation to clarify how it should be done. Since that was not furnished by you to the contractor, or by the contractor to you, you have a classic misunderstanding. There is no “should” when there are no diagrams.

Its fine. And you learned s lesson about never assuming and always documenting.

Remove the white trim and mantel, get a firescreen, hang a large piece of art in proportion with the wall and not the FP. You will love it.

What Anele said, yes.

Take a look at this. Fireplace Click on the blue box with the magnifying glass and all the pics will show.

I love the fireplace - I think it looks great. I agree with everyone who said replace the shelf above the fireplace. You also have a "modern" tv - so as you "work" on this room, perhaps look for pieces that are modern - transitional. The space could also use something on the sides of the fireplace - maybe a tall plant on one side and a vase/statue/floor lamp on the other (just not the same height).

I really like it.

But in addition to above suggestions, remove/replace mantel and mirror, I'd replace the boob light.

I was just looking at fireplace screens for you but I'll put the site here. Find one that will cover the edges of the black wall part and it will solve the whole problem. So many nice ones. As far as the mantle goes, just get a longer one. Btw, it would be nice if some people would be kinder in their messages rather than pointing out what the person should have done. I think they knew that before you told them plus it's not the least be professional. Be kind.fireplace+screen

Long shot you'd like this curved steel idea for $136. W 48" / D 4" / H 19"

On the mantel?

Others options ... 97 curved steel W 36" / D 4" / H 24" / 12 lb.

I just noticed your yellow/gold pillows!

22" tall....

Lose the mantel. Eventually, you will find a nice painting (large) to hang over the fireplace. The biggest problem is that oversize chair - it's just too big for the room and for that corner. If you can swing it, buy an Eames long chair for there and get a pharmacy lamp to put beside it. It will compliment the contemporary look of the room.

I'd love to see some polished steel or polished brass near that fireplace. I just Googled "contemporary fireplace fenders", and apparently there is no such thing. A good ironmonger could probably make something unique for you.

I assume the brown carpet must stay. With the brown furniture and brown brick, it's, well.. it's a lot of brown.