Truly, I would love to give you an idea,,,but I can’t,. except to cut your loss and have it removed. It is overwhelming the room.

The rest of the space looks wonderful…ceiling, floors, rug and paint color…

If you have the budget, take it on out, redo the floors and ceiling, and add JudyG's #1 for great eye-catching room.

Smooth stucco.

Stucco

Reclaimed brick might look cool. Depends on the style you are going for with furniture, etc.

I think smooth plaster would work just fine and keep it white to integrate with the rest of the space. I like that you squared off the fire box as well. You may want to consider attaching small room dividers that would be very short in width. They could be done in a pattern or an open frett work that would nicely define the two spaces in a subtle way. It could distract from the support colum that feels so monolithic. I would use no trim or molding details whatsoever on either the base, top or firebox. You could also paint the interior of the firebox white as they do make particular paints that work for this purpose. Cladding with a stone or slab would be quite costly since the piece is round.

I was thinking metal clad could be cool (copper?) depending on what you want to spend. This was the closest I could find, but I also love this rusty steel.

have you thought of replacing with a support. I must say, i am a firm believer with trying to live it, but i am at a loss.lol

I would square it off and tile it with large smooth neutral tile...keep it simple and clean...would not add any kind of stone at all it is just to big.

How would you describe your style? I'm assuming that this is a home that you've bought and are updating to fit your taste? Seeing that it isn't round on the back, is there any way to reduce the overall bulk of it? I can't imagine that it requires a vent that huge.

I like Home Interiors With Ease idea of squaring it off and tiling it, but it would help to see some rooms that you have decorated to see your taste.

I'm guessing they were going for something like this -

You could possibly step the fireplace cylinder back like this one below.

If you're needing to keep it structurally, minimize anything you put on it...smooth stucco painted light would also be my vote. The rocks were a bit much and taking over the space. Good luck!

Wrapped in some sort of metal? Hard part is finding it. I think it could be really cool.

If you find something to fill the hole in the ceiling, I'm guessing you can demolish the block fireplace, or is it structural? Here are some floating fireplaces.

The cost of trying to make that look good seems crazy..why not put a big post in if it is needed for support..than put fireplace where you want it...

Stuccoing it would be infinitely cheaper than demolition, engineering a new support, and repairing that ceiling and roof in a functional and cosmetic fashion.

No doubt whatsoever you did the right thing having the original rock removed.

Please update when you have completed the room, we would love to see the improvement.

You could face the cylinder with sheets of mosaic stone tiles, but if $$ is an issue I think the perfect stuco cylinder is quite pleasing. Doesn't have to be white..

Smooth stucco if budget rules. Otherwise, it'd be worth consulting a structural engineer about the options for removing it and replacing it with other supports. Some cities keep copies of original house plans- it may be worth checking with their building permit department to see if there's anything on file that would clarify how the fireplace and support were built originally.

I am extremely late with the final project photos. It’s been quite a ride, but we are ecstatic about the outcome.

Dramatic changes indeed. Congratulations on finishing the remodel.

wow!!

Wow, what a difference! Glad you found a solution you love and came back to show us.