I'm not exactly sure what "faux brick" is, but it sounds like a veneer afixed with some sort of adhesive. If you can scrape it off or otherwise remove it, you could replace it with stone or tile of a similar thickness. If it can't be removed, could you cover it with another layer of stone or tile? This might involve pulling the mantle off, then reinstalling it over the new decorative layer, but it's not terribly difficult. When I bought my current house it had a fireplace surround of unattractive and soot stained Roman brick. I didn't like it, so we pulled the mantle off, slip-covered the brick with black granite, then replaced the mantle. The gap between the mantle and the wall was filled with wood stips sculpted to match the outline of the mantle, then painted. The hearth tiles were also replaced. Before: After:

paintergirl94 - yep, way too contemporary for us. I mean, we live in a not old house but we not fans of contemporary at all. justgottabe me - what's that the say about the shoemaker's kids go barefoot? :) I hope you get your cabinets soon. curyly - yes, I think I'll need a rug too, once I get the paint picked and can figure out if I want a couple more chairs in there. Wow, Joann, your home is lovely and I am in awe that you made all those mantles and that beautiful furniture. What I love about your pieces is that it doesn't look like something newly made, but something that has been in the house for years and blends with antiques. Wish we had those skills but alas, ours run in a different direction. I really appreciate all the info that I can pass to the handyman. I sent him one email last night and he sounded very up for the challenge. I'm thinking though, that I will go ahead and get the room painted and everything else mostly arranged so then we can focus on the mantle. And Joann, gardener me is over the moon at your beautiful pond pics. I had those bookmarked a few years ago when we were looking for houses and had hoped to be able to put in a pond. Alas we have too small of a yard for one (just several water pondless features instead.) but your pond pages are still some of my favorites. Oh, and paintergil, here's the picture over the fireplace. I know the other things on the mantle are out of scale and can be moved around though the bronze figurine will likely stay there. Jan - love that you noticed that dark bowl on top of the other cabinet and my blue and white! I can't wait to get to tablescaping....my favorite part of decorating! Now back to the paint store for more samples to slap on some boards. I am almost sold on Baby Turtle in this room but since it gets very little natural light, I worry that it will be too dark. I can't seem to find another green/brown that has as much depth or interest or whatever you call it. :) Flowering Herbs, the next one up from Baby Turtle, seems too light. Thank you, again, all. So many wonderful things to think about.

The first room is a bit overpowered by all that rock. One option is to remove the upper half and leave the lower part. Perhaps the stone from the first FP could be used for the den, doing the same as the first room, stone on the lower half only. Hope that made sense. :) Just say no to shiplap. It's awful no matter what Joanna Gaines says.

Leave the wall with the fireplace on. No one wants to see into your kitchen if it is at a time, you just made a meal, and havent had time to clean up yet. I would leave the wall between the dining room, and nook,kitchen too, for the very same reason. I have a dining room open to my kitchen, and no good way to close it up. I hate it. If I have people for dinner, then anyone sitting on one side of the table, has a direct view to my kitchen sink. Not exactly what you want to look at when you are having a nice meal.