How to makeover fireplace (pic included)

[Chere]

Hi. We’ve just done up 85% of her house but there are few bits still left to do. We have an ugly 70s fireplace we’d like to reinstate. I was thinking of line washing the stone to lighten them and the grout (is that even the right term?). Followed by tiling the hearth with a nice patterned tile?

and seeing if the wood mantelpiece can be sanded and varnished much lighter - if not painted a grey colour.

Any suggestions would be MASSIVELY appreciated. Well def get someone in as I am not handy at all.

Not sure of the cost but you could get a plasterer in to cover it with fireproof render (or do it yourselves if feeling up to the job). This hiding the very outdated looking stone without risking anything structural.

I'd paint the bricks white, lighten the lintel by sanding and oiling. I'd also place a large square log basket on the hearth to fill the large space on the left.

I like it! It's retro

This would def be my preference

If you are going to paint the stone use Stonelux paint. Photos attached of an external wall example but they do interior paints too.

Then as others have suggested do something with the mantel and maybe replace the hearth for a slate tiled one.

Hindsight's wonderful but I'd have gone all this before getting your floor fitted...

What do you mean by structural? If you mean load bearing, of course it isn't. It needs to go...

The chimney breast will be structural, the stone fireplace will not be.
You can take the stone fireplace off back to the chimney breast. Enlarge the opening to the fireplace, line the chimney, replaster the chimney breast, fit a Woodburner and maybe fit a beam for a mantle, the hearth would be easy to change too.

I work for a company that specialises in this kind of work. Ask for a few quotes make sure that the company you choose can do building work as well as chimney lining and stove installations.

Exactly what i'd do

I think you should pull it down while the room is bare as it will be a dusty job. If you leave the hearth in place you can still have an open fire while you decide what fire surround you want.

As others have said, it is not structural- just a facade.

Sand the wood, wax. Plaster over stone tiles to give smooth surface and tile with a lovely morrocan style tile.