SFGate

Barbara Griffith Designs Consider leaving the brick hearth and building a surround and mantle that covers the entire brick surface except for a small amount around the firebox opening. Have a generous mantle, not quite as high as the current one, and have three trimmed out sections above. The center one wide, flanked by 2 narrower ones. In the center one you could hang a great large mirror or colorful piece of art.

jannielee Are these your furnishings? Are you looking for a more contemporary look or traditional?

bizzy no they aren't mine.I haven't moved in yet. contemporary/transistional-

jannielee How about your furniture colors?

bizzy no furniture yet either it's a blank slate

bizzy Barbara, i'd love to see a sketch of what that would look like

Barbara Griffith Designs Ok..but no comments on how bad this quick sketch looks. You would cover the entire back surface with wood, then choose substantial size trim pieces to simply attach to the surface. The mantle should be thicker and go just over the sides if possible. Support the mantle with large corbels. Don't let anyone see this awful sketch..ha.

Barbara Griffith Designs You would have to click on the awful sketch to see the whole thing.

Chris Saper Portraits & Fine Art How about slate? I think that replacing the tiny shapes with larger shapes (maybe a 16" tile or so) will make the space fell more contemporary.

PS Barbara, I can tell exactly what you mean by your sketch:) and I love your idea!

Barbara Griffith Designs No one was suppose to look at that sketch..

Chris Saper Portraits & Fine Art LOL I am an artist, so I definitely appreciate the concept sketch:)

Barbara Griffith Designs These drawings are know as my "scratchings"..