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decoenthusiaste The attached is just an attempt to show you a concept of the built-in at an angle like your landing. I would close the landing in with a half wall (knee wall,) trimmed out with a wide handrail which I'd wrap across to become the mantel. In other words, make both the landing and the FP into a single unit. If you're inclined, you could have a flat screen TV built into the area where the bannister is at a 45 to the FP. Hope the idea makes sense to you. If you've never thought incorporating the landing into the fireplace remodel it might seem strange, and there are certainly no pics on Houzz to express the idea that I've found. Basically, it would be like a high wall built from the floor to handrail/mantel that would attach to a similar new built-in facade to the FP with the railing becoming deeper, like a cornice or mantel and wrapping on above the firebox.

Chrissy G. Thank you for your response decoenthusiaste! I hadn't even considered putting a wall in instead of the handrail. I'm a little worried that might make the living room seem a lot smaller, but I think I'm going to drape a blanket over the rail area for a bit and get a feel for how it would look if that was walled in.

nFORMAL design The handrail is nice because you can get light through it in both directions. However, I understand the consideration for making it a wall. It would make the space more intimate for sure. My advice would be to go to a good cabinet/furniture maker and have a piece made reminiscent of the above photo. However, if you DO block it off, you might be able to keep it a more traditional stained/natural wood. The millworker will design the right profiles that tie in with your look and traditional style.

decoenthusiaste Think of it as "intimate" like nFORMNAL said, instead of "smaller." Another quick thought while you have someone in to look and measure; think about building shelves for that recess to the right of the FP. That will be useful for books, decor nor as a curio for a collection and will provide a visual counter balance to the new wall. If you style it with color, the eye will go there instead of the the wall/TV. Consider glass shelves as a possibility and don't forget to light it too. Anxious to hear and see more about this project!

Yarbro Home Improvement LLC I really like the simplicity of your fireplace. Very clean and uncluttered. The recessed niche is balanced with the tile framed insert. I'm sure you've considered replacing the granite tile with something else. The way you described it, sounds like you have " black galaxy" currently framing the insert. I agree its dark and can look a bit glittery or " disco-ish" for lack of a better term. The tile doesn't compliment the paint and the opposite is true... in my opinion. Remove it and install a lighter tile or large pieces / sections of a slab material. 3 pieces to frame the insert, and a hearth stone. You could also install a light to highlight your artwork. You do have a odd cavity to the right and there are options for that

ID by Gwen I like all the comments above. I would definitely close up the railing with a pony wall and decoenthusiaste's idea of the top ledge being carried over as a mantel is very interesting. As for fireplace's surround, I personally would re-tile it with a mosaic tile. There are many choices but I like those from Walker Zanger, Daltile, Sonoma Tilemakers (vihara) or S'tiles. I would remove the hearth all together to open up the space and have the mosaic go all the way to the floor. The ceiling recessed light should be directional to light up the artwork and like everyone else in this thread, I would also put glass shelves with lights in the recessed space. What is behind the corner wall? Could this shelving space be enlarged?

Chrissy G. Thank you all so much for your suggestions! My head is swirling with new possibilities! I'm going to talk to my husband more seriously about putting in a pony wall. I've draped a quilt over the area and it seems more cozy than crowded.

Removing the hearth is definitely a possibility. Normally I love a hearth, but I think this space might open up quite a bit without one, and it would add to our furniture options. If we were to do this, do you think we could get away with leaving the fireplace insert at the same height or would we need to move it down?

I love the idea of putting some shelving in to the right of the fireplace! The other side of where the wall juts in (at the far right on the picture) leads to an outside wall (and we live in a townhouse, so unfortunately we can't do anything about this), but I think it would be great to put lighted glass shelves in the recessed area.

decoenthusiaste Is your FP wood burning or other? If you are totally reconfiguring it and removing the hearth for the pony wall installation, you might want to put in a new insert that is lower. Talk with your contractor about feasibility and expense before you decide. Once the hearth is removed and you see how high above the floor the insert is, you'll be able to make a better decision. Just allow for the change in your budget, so it is not a surprise expense.

ID by Gwen I would leave the insert at the same height. It will be just fine. But if you like to keep a little symmetry (which I don't), you can just add a little ledge like this fireplace on houzz:


The final objective is to gain more space in your living room.

Wendy Hummingbird Designs I personally love it ... If you are on a tight budget add large white vase on the hearth by the pony wall and and a matching vase in the far corner and add branches in that one ( birch bark branches would be great)

baupperle16 I would try a dry stack stone from floor to ceiling.

rawketgrl Looks awesome as is. I would paint the brass black with Rust-oleum high heat black paint. A white vase or bowl on hearth would be nice. Maybe gray and white pillows/flowers. Bob's your uncle. It really does look great. I really like your walls, do you have the name of the paint?

Chrissy G. I just wanted to post a quick update! We've gone ahead and removed the hearth and tile so far, and what a huge difference it has made space-wise in the room! (forgive the painter's tape in the picture - we have a cat who likes to climb into holes, so we've put the tape up so we can take a dinner break).

decoenthusiaste I'm so excited for you and the project!!! Can't wait to continue following your progress. Don't get so overwhelmed that you forget to keep up with a running post of the demo and remo!

decoenthusiaste How's the demo/remo going?

decoenthusiaste Are you making progress? Anxious to see the outcome!