Any fireplace ideas?

I have an old non working fireplace/stove in the kitchen that I haven't a clue what to do with it.
In one of the images it shows a piece of art on an easel inside it, but that always feels like too much framed art to me (and I'm a Picture Framer).
If I drank wine it would be great for a wine rack, and I have thought of an aquarium, but I have already decorated the room to be a lil' busy as it is.
Any thoughts? Thanks and God bless
  24 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 01, 2015
    Personally I would start by painting the fireplace. Perhaps being a different color will give you some inspiration.
  • Pat Keadle Gougler Pat Keadle Gougler on Nov 01, 2015
    closed shelving-a pantry with pull outs, shelving with built in dog bed underneath, insert/build in a chest/cabinet with lots of nice wide drawers, add bakers oven here, pull-out desk
    • Michael McCleary Michael McCleary on Nov 03, 2015
      @Pat Keadle Gougler have thought about storage, but covering up these old bricks would be criminal
  • Charlene Charlene on Nov 01, 2015
    I saw an idea on this site that I thought was great! So, I cannot take credit. Collect some vintage suitcases that fit in the opening. Decorate the outside of the suitcases with things you like, for example Modge Podge a map on one, paint, etc. Stack several in the opening and use for storage.
  • Karen Shurette Karen Shurette on Nov 01, 2015
    We built a faux fireplace with a box beam mantle. We covered it in stacked stone tile and used an electric fireplace insert. It gives me the look of a fireplace and insert provides heat. I think if you found one to fit and built around it with a brick or tile it would look nice.
    • Michael McCleary Michael McCleary on Nov 03, 2015
      @Karen Shurette that is where I am leaning, design wise, and am thinking about an electric fireplace to start as a way to see if it works.
  • Karen Karen on Nov 01, 2015
    How about a turning back into a fireplace with an electric one?? They look really close to real and adds that ambiance to your kitchen.
    • Michael McCleary Michael McCleary on Nov 03, 2015
      @Karen that is what I am thinking too, except the power on that side is also for the fridge, and wonder if the combination would cause breakers to flip
  • Z Z on Nov 01, 2015
    I'd get a large fireplace candelabra to match your decor. I chose this one because of the candle holders on the mantel in the first picture. The one I used in on the pricey side. http://www.bathkitchenandbeyond.com/28-Marie-Medium-Fireplace-Candelabra-05188-465-002.html You could always find some similar candle sticks and place them in a group too.
    • See 1 previous
    • Z Z on Nov 03, 2015
      @Michael McCleary that doesn't mean it can't be done again in this room. In fact, all the more reason to do it again as you know it works. It's possibly the only way to get the feel of a fireplace without hiding the bricks with an electric insert.
  • Shari Shari on Nov 01, 2015
    It seems like the perfect place to build a pantry. Who can't use more storage in or near the kitchen?
  • Julies1949 Julies1949 on Nov 01, 2015
    I would choose one of two polar opposite ideas. Either make it look like a functional fireplace with a pile of logs, or take it out from the mantel down and build another cabinet for a pantry.
  • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Nov 01, 2015
    How 'bout finding or creating some art that could become a large fireplace screen, which would completely cover the opening. Then, behind it, store your more cumbersome kitchen pots or pans or small appliances. It could still "look" like a fireplace, but you would have the advantage of using it as additional storage. Since you're a framer, I would imagine you could make a frame for the screen that would accommodate the dimensions of the fireplace opening. All that would remain would be to find an interesting image to put into the frame.
  • Beth Lytle Beth Lytle on Nov 01, 2015
    Are you opposed to having a TV in the kitchen? That would make a great place to "hang" a smaller flat screen or do something with a digital photo display. Otherwise, I would definitely leave as is and do something cool like put thick wooden shelves in it and maybe put some decorative tiles across the front of each shelf so it looks really artistic and cool. :)
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 01, 2015
    There's a lot going on with so many dif types/colours/textures of surfaces. I would simplify by replacing the dark wood paneling to the right of the fireplace with drywall and paint it and the top of the fireplace the same colour as the walls. I like the idea of returning the space to a fireplace, or using it as a storage area.
  • Dee Dee on Nov 01, 2015
    Using it as a pantry or storage area is a good idea, with one addition. Make sure you have an area for your cookbooks and maybe a few vintage cooking items.
  • Helen Bouslaugh Helen Bouslaugh on Nov 01, 2015
    I suggest leaving the paneling next to the fireplace, yet the wood facial appears to be an add on in the last century sometime, so I would remove this wood surround, slide in a pantry/cabinet into the void matching your existing cabinetry or the even the paneling next to it, which would allow this new cabinet to fade into the existing wall. That allows the eyes to enjoy the existing art work/decor instead of adding more. It feels to me the kitchen needs more storage rather than a 'fireplace' display area. Yet, I would leave all the original brick work so if in 50-100 years someone decides to tear into the house they will find this treasure. By leaving it in tack you also save money and time by not having to demo the brick work and maybe someday you will want to revive it too.
  • Larose LoganOakes Larose LoganOakes on Nov 01, 2015
    We never have enough counter space in our kitchens. I would recommend if you have or can get a portable rolling island or workstation and the fireplace would be where you would keep it when you didn't need it. They have some lovely ones online.The costs go from say $99 and upwards.Since it is such a large space it would be a shame to not utilize it.I have seen posts where people have made these rolling islands out of pallets making it cost effective.That would work for me! It all depends on what you want to use it for.
  • Place a wine rack in the center and fill it with your bottles. A bit cooler I am sure.
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Nov 01, 2015
    Here's my 2 cents...I have a rather simple fix...The 2 pictures above the fireplace & in the hearth...Change the matting & frames to the cream color of your walls so they pop out against the dark wood & brick in the rest of the room.
    • Michael McCleary Michael McCleary on Nov 03, 2015
      @Kayo Frazier I used neutral matting in most of the house thus far, so keeping colored mats in this room is important to the whole scheme, but I see what yer thinking
  • HouseLogic.com HouseLogic.com on Nov 02, 2015
    Here are some ways you can brighten up the facade of the fireplace. Also, you can use your fireplace for handy storage or to display books: http://goo.gl/TrsN6O
  • Barbara Lowell Barbara Lowell on Nov 02, 2015
    how about making a brick oven for bread and pizza?
  • Shawn Bellon Shawn Bellon on Nov 03, 2015
    Use the interior of the firebox as open shelving for pans or mixing bowls and attractive bakeware...or dry goods in glass jars. Then you can still see the lovely aged bricks.
  • Eleanor Eleanor on Nov 04, 2015
    What about cast iron pots and pans with wooden beer crates or 3 old leather suit cases different sizes or you could just paint them if they aren't leather
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Nov 05, 2015
    Great rustic kitchen! For me, the issue is that art deco style facade on the front of the fireplace. It looks so out of place with the more rustic elements and decor in the room. I would remove that and expose the old brick. Then I would add a large rustic beam mantel that looks like it belongs with the planking in the room. Hang the picture that you have in the fireplace over it instead. Since its a fireplace, make it be a fireplace. Nothing better then the ambiance of the fireplace in the kitchen! I think your best best is a fake insert- you can get an electric one, or if you think it might be too much on your electrical system (which often is the case with electric space heaters) then you could use the kind that burns little pots of fuel-no venting needed. Or, to be on the safe side, a fireplace candelabra with battery operated candles. A nice fireplace screen and your're done! Good luck!
    • Elaine Elaine on Mar 21, 2016
      Couldn't agree more, SueI LOVE that old brick (wish I had it!!) & yes, I'd remove that other wood & bulk up the mantel. I'd place a few authentic looking crocks in the fire-pit recess and leave well enough alone. I'd remove all the fridge stuff (if you can) so the fireplace takes center stage and receives all the attention. Just my opinion and I don't mean this as criticism in any way, Michael. I'm drooling over the possibilities with that fireplace!
  • Teresa C Teresa C on Nov 09, 2015
    I would have a three stair step that fits the inside perfectly. You can put candles on each level to create a faux fireplace, you can place herbs on them. Or you can have someone make a wine rack for the inside.
  • Lagree Wyndham Lagree Wyndham on Nov 10, 2015
    How about sitting an old cast iron stove in it. Frankly I like the mixing of styles rustic/art-deco. I think and old wood stove or perhaps on e of the modern/electric wood stoves would be a greatt contrast to modern finish on front of fireplace
  • Nancy Nancy on Nov 11, 2015
    Do you need a butcher block? Ramp the floor lip and have wheels on the bottom of the cart and store the butcher block inside when not in use. And you can still have neat cooking objects on the under shelf. It looks like it would be just the right height. If you did not want to highlight the opening, put a country curtain across it and hide things in it and let the art work be the wall focus. Who can't use more storage and/or counter space.