Any ideas what to do with this wall ?????

Consider adding a fireplace surround with a mantle instead of thin wood molding around the stove. It looks like side pieces could go down to the floor on both sides of the hearth. I would check to see about moving built in cabinet. Symmetry on this large of a fireplace would make this wall pop. If you cannot move the bookcase, consider painting it. Good luck, I am sure it will look amazing.

i would merely resurface it with material of your choice maybe faux marble or slate

I had this kind of wall in a kitchen .... whatever you do, DO NOT PAINT it, it looks absolutely awful!! I took them down eventually, never regretted it. Best thing I ever did!

put a nice fireplace mantle and as the room may be small buil it for your flat screen tv to pitch on and let it pop with a nice paint makeover.look for great ideas on Google or pinterest.just make the request. good ideas from decorating sites too. good luck .ots could really be quite pretty .maybe a tri color paint job even paint the stones to o.or get them cleaned. to brighten.put plastic and good absorbent cloth or towel.thrift stores ,and a good brush and soap scrub should brighten .look at Lowe's home depot for cleaning products.they are needs some pop.

hi I can tell u the fire place is not a masonry fire place it a prefab fire place so you can tak the rock down and get brick, tile or pick a different kind of real stone or fake stone of your choice second thing and this is what I would do is take the rock dow take that fire place out have a mason build a real fire place im a brick and rock mason I like a real fire place not a fake one like the one that is there now but that's but I would do

It seems like there are many styles competing in this photo. What you do to the fireplace will dictate your direction for the rest of the room.

If you want to keep the stone, it can be "dry brush" painted to add shades of color that are desirable. It can also be covered with chicken wire and plastered to look completely different.

Consider a mantle of thick raw edge or rustic slavage wood and a thick stone ledge across the bottom that wraps around the sides where the gap is on the ends. The wood around the fireplace box could be switched out with brick or stone as it detracts from the natural elements.

There will be room for a nice painting, mirror or tv above the mantle.

I would remove the shelving and put lower book cases that match on either side. Making the one that needs access on wheels or sliders. These can be rustic wood or painted.

Wow my dad built one of those in 1962...took him about a hundred years of weekends and he loved it. My mother hung a faux ornate gold mirror on it, and it looked ghastly for the next 50 years. Rip it out, please.

I would decide on your style first! Do you like traditional or eclectic or transitional styles or clean sleek and modern? Once you figure that out the answer will be much more apparent. One thing that can't help you determine your likes and dislikes is to start keeping a decor file. keep magazine pics that have something in the picture that you love. Circle it and save it. You may hate all the rest of the room...but you love a lamp or chair or table. Keep at it. You will soon discover what style you like. Then you can tear down the hideous rock wall and put up something new that is YOUR taste!

You see...I might cover it in river rock, and someone else in tile or marble....but what matters is what YOU think looks good! So be patient...you have time! You'll get it right by first discovering your style...and then moving on from there.

As to design, symmetry would be my goal. On either side of your fireplace wall I would probably opt for floating shelves if you are unable to build a bookcase on the left wall. Artwork and an interesting display of a collection you may have or want to start would add visual interest...as would a few old books.

Hang in there and celebrate your new place. Take a breath and start your research. Good luck!